Socialist councillor casts sole vote against AUKUS on Cairns Council

September 24, 2021
Issue 
Rob Pyne speaks out against nuclear submarines
Rob Pyne speaks out against nuclear submarines. Photo: Supplied

Socialist Alliance member and councillor Rob Pyne moved a motion against the federal government’s new submarine proposal at the September 22 Cairns City Council meeting.

One other councillor seconded the motion to allow the matter to be debated, but then all councillors except Pyne voted against.

When asked about this result, Pyne told ABC radio that it is just a reality that the council is very conservative.

“Whether they say it or not, they’re very supportive of the Morrison government.”

Pyne told Green Left he was proud to advocate opposition to AUKUS military alliance.

“I’ve felt very strongly about Cairns being a non-nuclear area for many years,” he said.

He also said that a lot of Cairns residents shared this view and were glad to see him raise this issue.

“We want to see Cairns as a peaceful city,” he said.

He hopes other local governments as well as the grassroots peace movement will help build pressure on the federal government so these nuclear submarines never see the light of day.

Earlier in the week, Pyne joined Socialist Alliance candidate Renee Lees in a media conference against the submarine proposal and has spoken out on social media on the issue.

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