- The Guardian
- Issue #2127
Recently in Tarndanyangga, or ‘red kangaroo place’ (Adelaide) on Kauna Land, the South Australian government took delight in sponsoring a huge defence conference at the Adelaide Convention Centre, the second such militaristic event in 2024. While the first seemed to be more about “war toys,” this one focused on “war games.” The second conference on Maritime, Air and Space Technologies, known as MAST 2024, received praise from government, but many participants expressed their utter disappointment.
Just a few days later the Australia Vietnam Friendship Society (AVFS) held its annual general meeting at Fidel’s workers’ centre. Participants commented how worthwhile the reports and associated discussions were. At this gathering a key report was from the Hanoi Medical University entitled Australia – Vietnam Family Doctor Exchange Program, expressing gratitude for the insights gained and the warmth of the hospitality shown to the Vietnamese guests visiting hospitals and other medical services in South Australia.
In fact, the possibility of further similar exchanges for over 1000 Vietnamese farmers was also amazingly mooted.
While AVFS offers visitors medical technologies and agricultural insights, the best our government chose to provide was access to destructive military tech companies and their wares.
Students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) streams at tertiary institutions are also induced to become involved in the display of militarism.
South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas, boasted that Adelaide had become “the first Southern Hemisphere city to host the event (MAST) in its 17-year history.” Deputy premier Dr Susan Close, was even more lyrical, gushing about South Australia’s role on the “cutting edge” of Australia’s “sovereign defence capabilities.”
SA political leaders counting on supposed benefits from AUKUS for a financial bonanza could well be left disappointed. It’s possible a Trump presidency could scuttle the AUKUS deal.
Despite the organisers’ claim of drawing “more than 1,100 delegates from around the world,” MAST 2024 was derided as something of a farce, with dozens of Japanese officials and representatives, but hardly anyone official from the Australian Defence Department.
A spokesperson for the organisers declined to say whether the MAST conference would be supported in Adelaide in the future.
Peace in Action
At another AGM, the Muriel Matters Society (MMS), one request was for members and friends to download the Muriel Matters Society Global Peace Petition and return it to the Society before 31 January 2025. If 10,000 signatures are collected a Parliamentary Committee will investigate and report to the Parliament, and the government will be required to respond. Only South Australian citizens can sign in this case, but procedures are available around the nation to petition every other Australian parliament.
In an outstanding demonstration of peace in action, state branches of ACFS (Australia Cuba Friendship Society) across Australia joined together in an online meeting with Cuban Ambassador, Tanieris Dieguez La O, to plan a shipment of urgently needed medical supplies to Cuba. Recently the ACFS To Cuba With Love fundraiser raised $26,000 to assist with an urban gardens project in Cuba. All branches agreed to redirect the funds to Cuba’s more urgent medical needs. Further commitments of funds have enabled $35,000 or more to be pledged.
Of course, the inhumane US economic blockade of Cuba makes donating difficult but not impossible.
In recognising 40 years of Australian experience in supporting the Cuban Revolution, the Cuban Ambassador expressed her deep gratitude for the tremendous solidarity shown by all the ACFS Branches.
Peace and friendship is the only way for the future.
