- The Guardian
- Issue #2063
Melbourne comrades gathered in Brunswick to protest the planned AUKUS commitment and the Albanese government’s plans to turn Australia into a parking lot for nuclear powered submarines at a starting price of $368 billion. The protest was supported by the Construction Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), the Australian Services Union, and other left groups. The Riff Raff Radical Marching Band played, following which comrades heard from speakers including local Greens MP Dr Tim Read, Merri-bek councillor Sue Bolton, and Korean peace activist and unionist Joon Shik Shin. Councillor Bolton called for Australians to acknowledge the many times when Australia has been an aggressor in war.
Joon Shik Shin brought support for our anti-AUKUS movement from Korean workers and asked for Australian support for the struggle Korean workers face against American militarism.
Tim Read spoke on a neglected topic – the reaction of other countries in the region to Australia getting nuclear submarines, and made the point that AUKUS could well drive an arms race in the Asia-Pacific region.
SCRAP AUKUS! GIVE PEACE A BUDGET!
