Demilitarise Newcastle began a protest against weapons on December 1, with actions planned at several locations until December 9.
The “Weapons Out of Newcastle” protests started with a rally at the electorate office of defence industries minister Pat Conroy. Conroy has vigorously supported the development and manufacture of weapons in the Hunter.
Anti-war and peace activists are calling for an end to public subsidies for weapons’ corporations. They say it is a betrayal of Hunter communities, who have long argued for a transition away from coal towards renewable energy, not manufacturing killing machines, or parts for them.
The action at Conroy’s office called on him to stop being the “Minister for Weapons Spending” and instead represent communities.
Deidre from Demilitarise Newcastle said the Hunter community “has been fighting for a just transition away from coal for years” and instead the transition the government is making is to weapons manufacturing. That is a “more dangerous and harmful industry”, Deirdre said, and it makes Muloobinba a weapons hub. “We want a just transition to renewables; we want weapons out of Muloobinba.”
Fiona described the defence industry as “a barbaric and shameless commercialisation of war”.
Rory said it is “unacceptable that weapons parts are being manufactured in our suburbs”, including “parts we know are being used to commit genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“Already entrenched in the F-35 genocide jet program, the Hunter now faces the necessary transition away from coal. We need renewables, but instead we are rapidly transitioning into a weapons’ manufacturing hub with the Astra Aerolab precinct being built at the airport to include missile manufacturing.
“The community rejects becoming a cog in the murder machine.”