- The Guardian
- Issue #2047
A vocal and forceful protest demonstration took place at 8 in the morning of 21st March outside the Western Australian Defence Forum (admevents.com.au/western-australia-defence-forum) in Rockingham WA, on the shore of Cockburn Sound not far from where American and British nuclear armed submarines now come and go at an increased frequency.
Organised by the growing Stop AUKUS - WA organisation, the demonstration, with colourful hand-painted banners, reminded army, navy, and arms industry delegates entering the conference hall about the dangers of nuclear weapons and nuclear waste in Cockburn Sound.
Among the speakers of the budding partners in an emergent military-industrial complex were: The Minister for Defence Industry; BAE Systems; Brigadier Chaloner; Commander Ingham, Navy; Lieutenant Colonel Bryden; Defence & Space, AUSTRADE; USAsia Centre; Babcock; SME Connect; the Mayor, City of Rockingham; Lendlease; Ventia; Director, Defence Science Centre; Defence West; Defence Research & Engagement, Edith Cowan University; Director, UWA Defence & Security Institute; ALARP Director; Defence & Space, Curtin University; WA Defence Workforce Strategy; Ai Group; and WSP.
This shows the growing investment in and the coalescing of those interested in war industries, now seeking to benefit from the cash splash by the government in weapons of war.
Jo Vallentine (ex-Senator of the Nuclear Disarmament Party, then the Greens) and STOP AUKUS WA organisers Sam Wainwright and James Mumme, spoke about the dangers of war, nuclear waste, and the waste of resources on weapons that could be used for health; they were interviewed by the media, and led chants that emphasised “Money for hospitals, not war” and no nuclear submarines.
CPA activists were well represented as were those from Socialist Alliance, the Quakers, Greens WA, environmental groups, and others. Future planned actions include participation in the Palm Sunday rally on 2nd April, which has reinserted peace as one of its twin-themes this year, as well as May Day on 30th April.
