Bougainville protest at defence plant

By Geoff Spencer

MELBOURNE — Sixty people gathered outside the Australian Defence Industries (ADI) plant in Footscray on July 25 to draw attention to Australia's continued role in the Bougainville war.

Organised by Australian Humanitarian Aid for Bougainville (AHAB), the demonstration was one of a number of actions around the country marking the fourth year of the independence war.

Damian Lawson from AHAB outlined the role of the Australian government and military in the war, pointing out that ADI manufactures munitions used by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. "Australia couldn't be more involved unless it had ground troops in the war", he said.

The demonstration called upon the Australian government to end military aid to PNG and to support the lifting of the blockade and the removal of PNG troops to allow the Bougainvilleans to determine their future. Crosses were planted as a symbol of respect for the thousands who have died in the war. Attempts were then made to enter the ADI plant to replace the bullets with medicine. Five people did manage to evade police and scale the fence. They were removed by police but no arrests were made.

AHAB can be contacted through Bernadette McCartney on (03) 419 0752.

From GLW issue 109