Social Spending, Not War Spending – Protest outside ALP National Conference

Artwork and image for event "Social Spending, Not War Spending – Protest outside ALP National Conference" 11am-1pm 25/07/2026 Adelaide Convention Centre, North Terrace, Tarntanya SA 5000

When

to

Where

Adelaide Convention Centre
North Terrace
Adelaide SA 5000
Australia

Why

Join us outside the ALP National Conference 2026 to demand that governments invest in people and communities, not militarisation, weapons and war.

Across Australia, people are facing a housing crisis, rising rents, growing inequality and ongoing cost-of-living pressures. Public housing waiting lists are growing, essential services are stretched, and too many people are being left behind.

No one should be living in poverty in a country as wealthy as Australia.

At the same time, billions of dollars are being committed to military spending, AUKUS and nuclear-powered submarines that risk entangling Australia in future US-led military conflict with China.

No Australian support for wars of aggression, including US and Israeli attacks on Iran and Lebanon. End Australia’s complicity in overseas wars and military escalation. Close US military bases: no foreign military forces or bases on Australian soil.

If we can afford $33 million per day for 30 years to pay for AUKUS – we can afford to help the 1 in 7 Australians living in poverty and the thousands who are homeless.

Rather than investing in communities, governments are pouring resources into the military, prisons, policing, surveillance technologies and anti-protest laws that undermine civil liberties and target vulnerable communities.

We believe there is a better path.

We call on the ALP to take real action around:

  • Public housing and homelessness services
  • Free and accessible healthcare
  • Public education and training
  • Adequate income support and an end to poverty
  • Government leadership to deliver real wage increases above the inflation rate
  • Self-determination for First Nations peoples, with treaties that guarantee sovereignty and land rights
  • Climate action and a just transition, with no new fossil fuel approvals
  • Peace, justice and freedom for Palestine — sanction Israel
  • End AUKUS
  • No cuts to the NDIS
  • Protect the right to protest and speak out for social justice

This rally will bring together people from across the community who believe public money should be spent meeting human needs and building a fairer, more peaceful society.

We say:

  • Fund housing, not war
  • Fund healthcare, not weapons
  • Fund communities, not militarisation
  • Fund people, not profits
  • Free Palestine
  • Climate justice now

Saturday 25 July
11:00am – 1:00pm
Adelaide Convention Centre, North Terrace, Adelaide

Bring your friends, family, workmates, banners, placards and your voice.

Let’s make sure the ALP hears loud and clear that people want investment in housing, health, dignity, peace and justice, not endless spending on war and militarisation.

An injury to one is an injury to all. When governments can find billions for war, they can find the money needed to ensure everyone has a home, enough to live on, and access to the services they need.

Further details, speakers and endorsing organisations will be announced soon, along with all accessibility information.

If your organisation would like to join us, please email [email protected].

For updates check the Facebook event.

Contact

Anti-Poverty Network SA
(08) 8451 1589
[email protected]
apn-sa.org
Facebook · Instagram · TikTok

Resources

Poster.

Artwork and poster for event "Social Spending, Not War Spending – Protest outside ALP National Conference" 11am-1pm 25/07/2026 Adelaide Convention Centre, North Terrace, Tarntanya SA 5000

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