« All Events

  • This event has passed.

Anti AUKUS Vigil & march Sydney Town Hall

September 16 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Free
Link to the event's Facebook Page
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

Please consider adding your name to the Newspaper Advert

A “Call for Peace”

Newspaper advertisement co-ordinated by the Australian Anti-Aukus Coalition (AAAC) for your signature.

We call on the Government of Australia in the interests of peace and security for the Australian people and the region:

  • To advise its AUKUS partners that Australia will not be involved in a war against China over Taiwan or disputed territorial waters in the South China Sea, or any other country, and will not allow use of Australian territory for that purpose
  • To sign and ratify the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
  • To cancel military spending for AUKUS war preparations, including cancellation of the acquisition of nuclear-propelled submarines, so that urgent domestic social needs (climate change mitigation, education, health including public hospitals and housing) can be better addressed.

1,000 signatures of organisations and individuals are being sought supporting this statement for publication directed at the Australian Government. Our aim is to publish on the anniversary of the AUKUS announcement, September 16.

Individual signatures do not need to be backed by a donation. However if you can afford a donation ($5 or whatever you can afford) please contribute to the cost of the advertisement.

Go to the Australian Anti AUKUS Coalition website to sign up and (if you wish) donate to support the advertisement.

Details

Date:
September 16
Time:
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Cost:
Free

Venue

Sydney Town Hall
483 George Street
Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia + Google Map