Advertisement
Successive Australian governments have handcuffed Australia to the US, encoding this in the AUKUS Agreement. AUKUS is described by former PM Paul Keating as "the worst deal in history" and by experts as a path to nuclear war with China. In order to service AUKUS (i.e. the military needs of the US and UK), the current Labor Government has set an ambition to become a top ten producer of weapons globally. In late 2024, Labor committed $74 billion of our taxes to multinational weapons companies to make explosives. Most of the companies are on record as committing serious corporate crimes, and being involved in war crimes. Concurrently, the UN is investigating the role these same weapons companies are playing in atrocities in Palestine.
The Hunter Region will play a significant part in the expansion of Australia's production of arms and armaments. All levels of Government, including Port Stephens and Newcastle Councils, along with the University of Newcastle, are investing heavily in and facilitating the militarisation of our industries and our education. The Hunter is also listed as a site for dumping the nuclear waste of our AUKUS partners.
This is not the vision we need or want. At a time when we must rapidly transition to a low carbon economy, when the inalienability of international humanitarian law is seriously undermined, and when our communities call for disengagement from the dangerous US empire, we need to organise and mobilise to create an alternative future.
Join us to hear from campaigners including: The Greens Defence Spokesperson, Senator David Shoebridge; Alison Harwood from the local No Weapons for Genocide campaign, and Newcastle Greens Councillor and Federal candidate, Charlotte McCabe, who has long opposed the Newcastle Airport weapons precinct.
There will be an opportunity for Q&A, and a light supper served afterwards.
Advertisement
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Hamilton Community Hive, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Tickets
