How do we stop the march to war?

March 9, 2023
Issue 
An anti-AUKUS protest outside Anthony Albanese electorate office on February 24. Photo: Peter Boyle

Brian Toohey, Alison Broinowski and Vince Scappatura will discuss AUKUS and Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, the Senate inquiry into war powers reform and the Strategic Defence Review at a webinar hosted by the Australian Anti-AUKUS Coalition on March 26.

The webinar, to be chaired by lawyer and human rights activist Kellie Tranter, will discuss steps in the campaign against the rise in military spending, occasioned by AUKUS, in preparation for a United States-led war on China.

War hawks are calling for military expenditure to be doubled to 4% of the GDP.

The rabid war propaganda, by Murdoch’s Sky News Special, “We are not Ready”, supported by  Fairfax Media and Nine Entertainment’s “Red Alert” articles are fanning the flames of war.

Australian involvement in a United States war against China would be a disaster. Ninety percent of the country’s petrol supplies is imported, meaning any war would disrupt supply. Transport would be hit, as would the trucking of essentials, including food.

The high percentage of everyday items (apart from food) that are imported from China would cease with any war, meaning  shops would empty, and essential imported medical supplies would become scarce.

Exports to China would cease and the economy would face a severe down-turn with substantial job cuts. Those of Asian heritage would face an upsurge of racism.

Defence strategist Hugh White believes the losses of service people in any such war would exceed those of the Vietnam War and Korean War.

The increase in military expenditure diverts public funds away from urgent community needs, such as bringing the public hospital system up to scratch: the Australian Medical Association said they require $20 billion.

[Register for the webinar on March 26 at 6.30pm here.]

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