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Weapons and Weapon Manufacturers

One of the Newcastle Greens founding principles is our commitment to peace and non-violence.

The Greens work towards a peaceful and just world through supporting disarmament, demilitarisation and non-violent forms of conflict resolution. 

During this time of increasing global tensions and a tragic loss of civilian lives, there’s a need for strong leadership, from all levels of government, to ensure that conflicts are resolved through negotiations, boycotts and sanctions, rather than warfare.

 

Climate and Security

In 2023, the Office of National Intelligence prepared the Climate Security Report that concluded climate change is the biggest threat to Australian security. This requires urgent action to stop exporting coal and to transition Newcastle to a net zero future.

 

AUKUS and Nuclear Investments

There are currently over 10,000 nuclear weapons in the world that all pose their own risk to human and environmental safety. 

In 1973, Australia ratified the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons but has not yet signed the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Currently, 92 countries have signed this treaty, 68 of which have formally ratified it.

Newcastle has been a nuclear-free zone since the declaration first made by the late Lord Mayor Joy Cummings on the 29th of June 1982.

As part of the AUKUS defence and security pact, Australia has committed to purchase and build 8 nuclear-powered submarines at a cost of $368 billion of public funds over the next 30 years. This equates to $35 million per day, for the next 30 years. 

Australia will become the first non-nuclear weapon state to acquire nuclear-powered submarines which has required our government to seek an exemption from the Non-Proliferation Treaty. There are concerns that this could encourage other non-nuclear states to participate in an arms race.

The nuclear-powered submarines will use weapons-grade uranium, yet Australia has no agreed location to store radioactive waste or any nuclear facility or capability to manufacture and safeguard nuclear technology.



Defence Investments

The Albanese Government has allocated $330 billion for the Integrated Investment Program over the decade to 2033-34. This is an increase compared to the $270 billion allocated for the 10-year period to 2029-30 as part of the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and 2020 Force Structure Plan.

Defence Minister, Pat Conroy, is actively promoting the establishment of a missile manufacturing industry around Williamtown and more broadly in the Hunter region. 

 

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Newcastle Council’s commitment to the SDG’s were initiated in 2015 when 193 countries committed to the United Nations. The goals form an integral part of the council's strategies and policies.  

Goal 16 commits to ‘Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels’.

 

Arms Treaty

Australia ratified the Arms Trade Treaty in 2014 which commits each state party to establish and maintain a national control system to regulate the export of parts and components where the export is in a form that provides the capability to assemble conventional arms.

Article 6 of this treaty covers prohibitions, stating this must occur when member states have knowledge at the time of authorization that the arms or items would be used in the commission of genocide, crimes against humanity, grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions of 1949, attacks directed against civilian objects or civilians protected as such, or other war crimes as defined by international agreements to which it is a Party.

 

How we are involved locally

Local Government Divestment

Newcastle Council’s Investment and Borrowing Policy 2023 stipulates that companies that produce or supply armaments are socially and/or environmentally harmful and will be avoided in Newcastle Council’s investment portfolios.

 

Astra Aerolab Precinct at the Newcastle Airport

Newcastle City Council and Port Stephens Council hold a Head Lease agreement with the Department of Defence for 28 hectares of land to the south of RAAF Base in Williamtown. The 60-year lease expires on 31 December 2075 and offers an additional three 10-year options.

As the joint owner of the Newcastle Airport, Newcastle Council has established the strategic direction of the Astra Aerolab precinct as ‘Australia’s newest defence and aerospace precinct’.

The precinct will be home to STEM-related research facilities, advanced manufacturing, freight and logistics.

Astra Aerolab has incorporated the pre-existing BAE facility and is currently negotiating lease arrangements with tenants for the lots that have received development approval. BAE designs and manufactures defence equipment and maintains the fleet of F35s at the Williamtown Defence Base. Newcastle Council is now collecting rent from BAE through its part ownership of Newcastle Airport.



The Newcastle Greens will work with the community and all levels of government to:

  • Advocate for the federal government to ratify the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
  • Oppose the AUKUS agreement and the nuclear-powered submarines contract
  • Continue to uphold Newcastle’s commitment to a nuclear-free zone
  • Demand urgent climate action in order to reduce the destabilising risk of climate-related disasters
  • Advocate for a Newcastle LGA ban on the manufacture and use of arms that indiscriminately kill, maim or cause long-lasting pollution including but not limited to landmines, cluster bombs and depleted uranium
  • An end to Newcastle LGA's participation in the support, development and production of military systems for the international arms trade
  • A prohibition of arms fairs and the promotion of weaponry in public places in the Newcastle LGA, including a ban on military fighter and bomber aircraft participating in the Newcastle Air Show
  • Extend Newcastle Council’s divestment commitments to ban leasing any council-owned land to companies that manufacture weapons, weapons components, or technology for remote weapon operation.
  • Amend Newcastle Council’s Sponsorship Policy 2022 to list companies that manufacture weapons, weapons components, or technology for remote weapon operations, or events that include these companies in their sponsors, as ineligible

 

Adopted July 2024

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