NSW Greens MLC, Sue Higginson, has challenged Labor Premier Chris Minns ‘to abandon support for the Indo-Pacific Weapons expo, a showcase for weapons corporations who manufacture weapons used to massacre innocent civilians in Gaza’.
She said in a media release, ‘The Minns Labor Government and Investment NSW are the principal sponsors of the International Weapons Exposition, which will be held from 4–6 November at the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour. The exhibitors include Israeli weapons corporation Rafael’.
AMDA Foundation Limited
According to www.indopacificexpo.com.au, ‘The Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition is organised and conducted by AMDA Foundation Limited, with support from the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Government Department of Defence and the NSW state government’.
The program includes ‘invitation only’ receptions, hosted by the NSW and UK governments.
Sponsors include both private and government agencies such as KPMG, BAE Systems Australia, Royal Australian Navy, Systematic, DEWC Services, Kallman Worldwide, Inc, Omni Executive Pty Ltd, Avant Group, General Dynamics Electric Boat, Planet Labs, Kraken Robotics, AMDA Foundation Limited, Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF), Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), BlueForge Alliance, ACT Government, Rohde & Schwarz Australia, Australian Submarine Agency, Government of Finland, Leidos Australia, Defence West, Australian Border Force, Electrotech Australia and Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise (GWEO).
Higginson says she has written to the Premier and Police Minister urging them to abandon their support for this event, and to ensure police facilitate any peaceful protest that takes place.
Senator David Shoebridge, Australian Greens spokesperson for Foreign Affairs said, ‘This weapons expo, subsidised and supported by Labor governments, is actively promoting some of the least ethical global weapons corporations that have spent the last two years profiting from a genocide in Gaza’.
‘Instead of promoting the global weapons industry, Australia should be promoting the global peace movement.
‘Every cent that is spent on these weapons comes from public money, and every cent would be better spent on health, education, climate action and global solidarity.
‘I have seen firsthand what goes on at these places, companies like Rafael showing snuff films from Gaza as a way to sell their weapons.’
Higginson added, ‘Labor Premier Chris Minns must withdraw support for this sick expo of weapons that kill and the corporations who profit from the massacre of innocent women, children and men. It is important the people of NSW know that this obscene event is taking place in one of our public spaces where school children gather on excursions in Darling Harbour’.
‘We are a multicultural city, yet Labor Premier Chris Minns is sending a clear message to Palestinian and Lebanese communities that he endorses the weapons corporations who are massacring families in Gaza and accelerating Israel’s genocide. He must be held to account for this now.
‘I expect that people will protest this event and I am deeply concerned about their safety. Under the Minns Labor Government the NSW Police have felt emboldened to demonise and assault people protesting for peace.’
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