COMMUNITY FORUM #1
MELBOURNE
Your taxes fund weapons
Free registration
ABOUT THIS FORUM
The Labor government has promised to improve our lives in the middle of a cost of living crisis – but what are they really spending our money on?
Weapons manufacturing is a booming industry in Australia, and it gets massive government support. Instead of hospitals, housing, community programs and climate adaptations, public money is pouring into facilities that build bombs and fighter jets.
How did we get here, what does it mean for our future economy – and what can we do about it?
Join us for a community forum to learn more.
EVENT DETAILS
6.30pm, Tuesday 29 October
Coburg Town Hall
90 Bell St
Coburg
Free entry. All welcome!
Book now
Food by Wazzup Falafel and Kunafeh House will be available at the event.
ACCESSIBILITY
Coburg Town Hall is near wheelchair accessible public transport and parking (Urquhart Street), has an accessible path to its entryway, and DDA-compliant wheelchair accessible toilets.
All doors are 1100mm+ wide, and tactile signage is available through the venue. There are a number of air purifiers in the hall which will be turned on during the event.
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* A5 leaflets are laid out on an A4 document, ready to print two-to-a-sheet!
This event has been organised by a broad group of community members.
We share a set of simple, commonsense beliefs:
- Essential community services and social supports are being neglected and underfunded;
- The Australian government is heavily subsidising weapons programmes that make no economic sense;
- Together, we can change this.
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Over two decades, he worked with Al Jazeera as a cameraman, field producer, editor and head of news planning and political analyst. He has a master degree in International Urban and Environment management (RMIT).
He has been a strong voice for accountability from Defence, including exposing issues with AUKUS and the grant of weapons permits to companies exporting materials to states including Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Mary has four decades of experience as a teacher and 13 years as an AEU state councillor, and long involvement in campaigns for equity, justice and sustainability.
Jordan van den Lamb (@purplepingers) is a unionist, digital organiser and housing advocate.
He occasionally makes silly videos on tiktok. He’s also a dirty commie.
He currently leads the Treaty process for Wurundjeri with the First People’s Assembly of Victoria, and was appointed to the Birrarung Council to speak on behalf of the river.
She has lived most of her life in the western suburbs of Wyndham. She's a single mum of two boys who spent much time in multicultural playgroups.
She has been involved in many anti-weapons actions in the past year, including the picket campaign targeting Electromold Thomastown.
BACKGROUND
“The Albanese Government’s investment in the Defence portfolio will see overall funding reach $765 billion over the decade, including $330 billion for the capability investments outlined today.”
Source: The inaugural National Defence Strategy, announced 17 April 2024
QUICK FACTS
- Both major political parties in Australia – at both state and federal levels – have built momentum towards increased participation and investment in the weapons industry
- While politicians spruik sovereign defense capabilities, the majority of their investments support the development and manufacture of parts destined for use by overseas forces
- The Australian Defence Force admits a crisis of public image, discouraging personnel from wearing uniforms in public amid a struggle to attract new recruits
- By continuing exports for the ‘just in time’ F-35 parts programme, equipping states ‘suspected of committing genocide’ – in breach of interim judgments of the ICJ and ICC – the Australian government may be colluding with manufacturers in breaking international law
- Defense is a for-profit industry. Meanwhile, senior executives of weapons manufacturers have taken up positions of power in civil society – sitting on the boards of universities and public broadcasters
CLIMATE ADAPTATION
The Australian government has committed $29.5 billion in climate-related spending between now and 2030.
Source: Australian Office of Financial Management, February 2024
POVERTY
It would take $12 billion to lift 600,000 Australians out of poverty.
Source: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist at the Australia Institute, on ABC Hobart, 29 March 2023
In February 2024, Elbit Systems was awarded a $917 million government contract – despite a 2021 ‘cease use’ directive due to data security concerns.
Source: ABC News, 28 February 2024
‘The notion that we will retain any kind of sovereign agency in determining how all these assets are actually used should serious tensions erupt is frankly a joke in bad taste.’
Source: Gareth Evans, former Labor foreign affairs minister, on the AUKUS deal that will cost taxpayers up to $368 billion over 30 years
©️ 2024