NSW premier Chris Minns has come under fire for saying he is ‘proud’ and ‘delighted’ to welcome weapons manufacturers, who are implicated in Israel’s genocide in Gaza, to the City of Sydney as part of the Indo-Pacific Weapons Exposition.
MPs from Minns’ own Labor government, Member of the UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory Chris Sidoti, and the Greens have all raised significant concern.
They were joined by hundreds of protesters who gathered peacefully in Tumbalong Park to express their outrage at the premier’s endorsement of the weapons manufacturers and his choice to have the NSW government act as the principal sponsor of the event.
Serious concerns
Greens MP and spokesperson for Justice Sue Higginson said, ‘Australia has clear obligations under international law, and I’m seriously concerned that the state of NSW is in breach of Australia’s obligations to prevent genocide by endorsing and showcasing weapons corporations who are directly linked to Israel’s genocide in Gaza in the heart of Sydney.
‘UN experts have also expressed that the NSW government’s endorsement of this event is of grave concern.
‘Let’s be clear that the weapons manufacturers that Labor Premier Chris Minns has welcomed into Darling Harbour produce bombs, fighter jets, tanks, and chemical munitions used to massacre and mutilate tens of thousands of innocent Palestinian babies, women and men…
‘Chris Minns has said he doesn’t control who is invited to this weapons expo, but he does control his own decisions to offer a personal endorsement of the event, to say he is “proud” and “delighted” to welcome into NSW corporations who massacre babies, and to use taxpayer funds to sponsor the event.
Damaging
Sue Higginson also said, ‘I can’t imagine how the Palestinian and Lebanese communities across Sydney and NSW are feeling right now. These communities have to watch the premier of their state saying he is delighted to welcome to their city the very weapons corporations responsible for the massacre of their families and communities.
‘The premier’s actions and rhetoric are damaging to the social cohesion of our state, and they display a concerning lack of humanity and leadership.
“I am horrified that the premier is now openly spruiking that the future of our economy relies on manufacturing weapons used to massacre Palestinian people.
This is not leadership, it is frightening immorality on full display. Yes of course we want manufacturing here in NSW but we do not want to manufacture weapons of death, destruction, war and genocide. We will not stand for this,’ said Ms Higginson.
Police response
NSW Police have also released a statement following yesterday’s arrests at Darling Harbour, with twelve people charged so far.
Police say they commenced an operation at Darling Harbour at 5am yesterday (Tuesday 4 November 2025), in response to two planned public assemblies.
Multiple resources – including officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command, Dog Unit, Mounted Unit, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Public Order and Riot Squad, ODIN – were involved. Police say they established a designated area for the public assembly to take place.
‘About 6.30am, a group of protesters allegedly left the designated area, failing to comply with police direction and attempted to access a restricted area. Two hours later, about 8.30am, a group of protesters in the designated area allegedly advanced towards police and attempted to breach the police containment line.
‘About 10.45am, members of the group allegedly threw red paint at police officers. About 11.20am, the group marched from Darling Harbour, through Sydney’s CBD, to Town Hall, where they dispersed.’
Police say fifteen people were arrested during the operation, following the use of OC spray. Four people were taken to Day Street Police Station and another nine were taken to Surry Hills Police Station. Two were later released without charge.
Two police officers required medical treatment during the operation after one sustained a cut to the face and another had paint thrown in his eye.
A 27-year-old man was charged with refuse/fail to comply with direction under Part 14 and assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm. He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 7 tomorrow (Wednesday 5 November 2025).
A 26-year-old woman was charged with four counts of assault police in execution of duty. She was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 7 tomorrow (Wednesday 5 November 2025).
A 26-year-old man was charged with hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty and refuse/fail to comply with direction under Part 14. He was granted conditional bail to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 3 December 2025.
A 28-year-old man was charged with assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm. He was granted conditional bail to appear before Bail Division Court 7 on Thursday 11 December 2025.
Four people – three men aged 20, 28 and 34, and a 24-year-old woman – were charged with refuse/fail to comply with direction under Part 14. The 28-year-old man was granted conditional bail to appear before Bail Division Court 7 tomorrow (Wednesday 5 November 2025).
The 34-year-old man was granted conditional bail to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 3 December 2025. The 20-year-old man and 24-year-old woman were granted conditional bail to appear before Bail Division Court 7 on Thursday 11 December 2025.
Two men – aged 23 and 34 – and a woman aged 32, were charged with hindering police. All three were granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 11 November 2025.
A 33-year-old man was charged with use offensive language in/near public place/school. He was granted conditional bail to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 11 December 2025.
A 33-year-old man was released from custody at Surry Hills without charge, pending further inquiries.
Police say their operation at Darling Harbour is continuing.
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