Military `consultation' attract protest

BY ADAM BAKER

BRISBANE -- “There will always be arguments for spending in other areas, but we have to make sure we are making the correct decision”, said Prime Minister John Howard from a large video screen at the beginning of a “public consultation” on military spending here on August 1. The presentation lauded the efforts of the Australian Defence Forces over the last century.

The “consultation” was one in a series through which the government is attempting to present its planned increase in defence spending as having public support. The meeting, overwhelmingly made up of men in suits, many with military insignia, and chaired by former Liberal leader Andrew Peacock and former Labor senator Stephen Loosely, was not intended to take into account any opposing views.

Nevertheless, the 30 protesters who picketed and then attended the meeting strongly disagreed with the way in which the ADF was presented and opposed any attempt to increase defence spending. Some protesters interrupted the meeting with calls for spending on education and health, instead of warfare.

One protester was arrested and the remaining protesters were ejected.

The picket of the meeting, which was held in the Long Room of Customs House, was organised by the Brisbane S11 Alliance. The S11 Alliance is organising actions in conjunction with the demonstrations planned for the World Economic Forum, happening in Melbourne from September 11-13. The Alliance argues that the interests agitating for an increase in defence spending are the same as those supporting the neo-liberal agenda of the World Economic Forum.

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