Conscientious Objection to Military Tax

From: David C. Keenan
116 Bowman Pde
Bardon  4064
Phone (07) 366 2660.
 
To: W. D. Mulherin
Deputy Commissioner of Taxation
GPO Box 9825
Brisbane  QLD  4001

Dear Sir/Madam
Thankyou for your computer-generated letter of 22 March 1995, noting that
$4806.55 is outstanding on my account. I do not intend to pay this amount. As
I explained in previous letters (March 1990 and 1991), I have not lightly
chosen to disobey the law in this regard. I have noted the outcome of the
Federal Court case of Burrowes; Ex parte DFC of T (Heerey J), 27 November
1991, Melbourne, and the somewhat ambiguous outcome of the subsequent
contempt case.

My reasoning is as follows
This amount represents the approximately 10% of my tax assessments which
would otherwise be spent by the government directly on defence.

This defence is at present entirely military, that is, it is based entirely
on the readiness to kill.

I have a long and deeply held conscientious objection to killing other human
beings. I continue the beliefs of my parents in this regard. Indeed this is
what the law requires of me, except when the human beings concerned are
defined as enemies. I cannot allow that exception.

If I were to allow my money to be spent on killing or preparation for killing
I would be guilty of complicity in that killing.

What I am not saying
I am not saying that we don't need defence. I believe we do. But there are
other forms of defence besides military. There is a whole field of nonviolent
defence. If the government were to support nonviolent defence, or even just
research into nonviolent defence, to anywhere near the degree that it
supports military preparedness, I would not object to paying this part of my
tax to the tax office.

I am not saying that everyone should be able to direct their taxes as they
wish. I do not think for one minute that this could work. I'm merely asking
that the right to conscientious objection to military service be recognised
as applying also to one's money. If I work for someone else and pay money to
support military work, I fail to see how that is any different from working
directly for the military. This is not in the same category as any other
possible reason for tax redirection. It is a matter of life and death.

I do not retain this money. I pay it to the Peace & Development Foundation
Inc. (PO Box 167, North Carlton, VIC 3054, Phone: (03) 9387 3398). The Peace
& Development Foundation supports research into nonviolent defence, one of
the fruits of which is Robert Burrowes' forthcoming book, The Strategy of
Nonviolent Defense: a Gandhian Approach, SUNY Press, to be published in late
1995. Robert Burrowes has a PhD in nonviolence from the University of
Queensland. Yes, this is the same Burrowes previously mentioned in connection
with the Federal Court case.

By the same reasoning I cannot allow the money to be obtained by garnishee
and am not afraid of judgment being entered against me.
 
I wish to express my understanding and concern for your position. I am sorry
if I make your life more difficult. I would be happy to discuss the above
issues with any tax officer either officially or personally. I may be
contacted on the above number.
Yours sincerely,
David C. Keenan