7 March 2022

The Sydney Anti-AUKUS Coalition condemns the announcement of nuclear submarine bases in Brisbane, Port Kembla or Newcastle as a cynical election pitch which ignores the interests of the millions of people living in and near these cities, and pre-empts any community discussion of the AUKUS war project.

During the pandemic the Government devoted much of its energies to organise the AUKUS pact while health supplies failed. Similarly, amid the greatest flood catastrophe the Government is devoting its energies to a military ‘hairy chested’ display. The basing of nuclear-powered submarines on the east coast and the setting aside of $10 billion for such activities is again Australia beating the drums of war rather calming down the international situation.

Morrison is creating fear in the Australian community to help him electorally and allow a massive increase in military spending.

The Government has ignored the counter-arguments against nuclear-powered submarines which will see our Australian Defence Force (ADF) become a part of US strategy rather than protecting our maritime routes. The nuclear-powered element means that Australia is a step closer to nuclear weapons as well as the foundation of a nuclear-power industry.

The nuclear-powered submarines based close to major population centres is a recipe for disaster with the possibility of accidents and the spread of nuclear pollution around valuable food sources such as fisheries and areas of recreation. These oceans are the sites for offshore alternative energy wind farms.

“Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is a golden opportunity to ramp up military spending and Morrison is using it to its full extent so his government can pretend they have the interests of the Australian people at heart. The reality is that the only winners from a khaki election are the arms corporations. The only outcome from the relentless war talk is a larger more destructive war.”