Scrap AUKUS, no war on China: 1 year anniversary rally and vigil
The Sydney Anti-AUKUS Coalition is holding a protest and candlelight vigil to mark one year since the Scott Morrison government signed the AUKUS military pact with the U.S. and UK governments.
It is more important than ever to oppose AUKUS and the drive to war with China. The new Labor government remains committed to AUKUS and keep military spending to more than 2% of GDP.
The AUKUS ‘security’ agreement is not only dangerous, it is extraordinarily expensive. Australia will become only the 7th country in the world with a fleet of nuclear submarines, at an estimated cost of $170 billion.
The nuclear subs will escalate military tensions between the U.S. and China and contribute to an arms race that threatens to culminate in war between nuclear powers. In such a conflict there would be no winners.
The brutal war in Ukraine and tensions over Taiwan are a reminder of the very real danger of conflict in our region. AUKUS also puts communities in the firing line. Prime Minister Albanese is committed to a $10 billion east coast nuclear submarine base, likely in Wollongong.
AUKUS also opens the possibility of Australia pursuing a dirty, destructive, and dangerous nuclear industry.
Albanese has flagged cuts in the October budget. But he makes no mention of the immense sums of money that will be devoured by AUKUS and funneled straight into the pocket of arms manufacturers. This money should be used to ensure we have better public health, better public schools and universities, better support for the disadvantaged and more affordable housing and renewable energy.
The Albanese government must listen to the voices of the community, peace groups and unions and scrap AUKUS. A petition against AUKUS by the Independent and Peaceful Australia network has gathered over 24, 000 signatures. Unions NSW, Victorian Trades Hall, the NSW Teachers Federation, the Maritime Union of Australia and the United Workers Union have all passed resolutions opposing AUKUS.
Our protest and vigil will mark the one-year anniversary of AUKUS with a commitment to fight until it is scrapped.
If you would like to support our campaign please donate to raise money to publish a newspaper ad containing a statement against AUKUS:
https://antiaukuscoalition.org