The Australian Anti-AUKUS Coalition (AAAC) is campaigning for an Australia that is committed to peace, justice and a nuclear-free world. In Australia, this starts with acknowledgement of invasion, and solidarity with First people’s struggle for justice and sovereignty. The national coalition is calling for a united front against AUKUS, nuclear submarines, a broad movement for peace and a nuclear-free Australia. Read more…
PEACE! – NO AUKUS! NO WAR!
Spend $368 billion on health, education, affordable housing and fix the climate crisis!
Not on nuclear submarines and US led war!
Australia wide events and protest actions for Peace, end AUKUS, cancel nuclear submarines and mobilise against war.
14 – 24 March 2024
The 14th March marks the anniversary of a joint meeting by US President Biden, UK Prime Minister Sunak and Australian Prime Minister Albanese, in San Diego (US), to launch the pathway for Australia’s acquisition of 8 nuclear powered submarines, and pledge the 3 countries’ commitment to the AUKUS military pact.
Shortly after, it was announced Australia would spend $368 billion on these submarines; $368 billion and more to support yet another US led war of aggression, this time with China, and to prop up the US and UK economies; instead of being used to address urgent needs of Australia’s communities, health, housing, education, child care, to alleviate the high cost of living, as well as take action on the climate crisis. Not for US wars.
AUKUS is locking Australia into US global wars, potentially setting off a catastrophic nuclear conflict in our region. This military and political integration into US foreign and military policies has made Australia an accomplice in the genocidal war in Gaza, and a US Deputy Sherrif threatening the peace and security of people and countries in our region.
We call on the Australian Government to:
- cancel nuclear submarines
- quit AUKUS
- end Australia’s involvement in US-led wars
- adopt an independent foreign policy that promotes peace, justice and diplomacy
The acquisition of 8 nuclear submarines is only a part of a much bigger AUKUS war pact integrating Australia into a US global war machine.
AUKUS Pillar 2 will lead to Australia helping the US develop hypersonic missiles under the control of Artificial Intelligence. This will lead to hypersonic nuclear weapons which may be completely placed under the control of artificial intelligence. Australia should refuse to participate in the development of hypersonics and autonomous weapons systems and instead insist that international controls be put on these extremely dangerous technologies.
AUKUS
- risks undermining the Non-Proliferation Treaty to which we are signatory, Increasing tensions with our regional neighbours, including our largest trading partner, China.
- poses a risk to public health and safety, marine life and the environment should a naval reactor accident or radiation incident occur in the nuclear submarines.
- means Australia will need to manage and store all levels of nuclear waste (LLW, MLW and HLW) from Australian nuclear powered submarines and also the operational waste from the US and UK nuclear submarines on rotation at HMAS Stirling as from 2027.
- deadly nuclear waste will likely be stored on the lands of the First Nations people.
- endangers communities in close proximity to HMAS Stirling in WA (where the US and UK nuclear powered submarines, SSNs will be on rotation as of 2027 and 3-5 Virginia class SSNs will be bought from the US and home-ported); Osborne Shipyard in SA where the proposed new SSN-AUKUS submarines are to be built; an east coast port for the nuclear powered submarines (possibly Port Kembla). Should hostilities break out these communities would be in danger from military attack.
- is militarising Australia’s education system and the economy. Weapons corporations (Lockheed Martin, BAE, Boeing, Raytheon,) are embedding in school curriculums, university research, manufacturing and export industries.
- surrenders Australian sovereignty by entrenching Australia into US foreign and military policies and involvement in US driven wars
A war against China, our major trading partner, would have devastating consequences for the Australian community including severe job losses and scarcity of basic living items.
Build a people’s movement against AUKUS and war. Join a local protest, local peace group, write letters to politicians, blitz main stream and social media during the national ten days of action, 14-24 March and beyond.
For more information on local events contact your state – links below; or AAAC national contact:
| AAAC national contact | info@antiaukuscoalition.org |
| NT (Darwin) | contact@basewatch.org |
| QLD (Brisbane) | noaukusqld@gmail.com |
| NSW (Sydney) | sydneyantiaukus@gmail.com |
| NSW (Newcastle) | hunterpeacegroup.2016@gmail.com |
| NSW (Wollongong) | wollongongagainstwarandnukes@gmail.com |
| ACT (Canberra) | ipanpeaceact@gmail.com |
| VIC (Melbourne) | noaukusvic@gmail.com |
| SA (Adelaide) | https://linktr.ee/NoNuclearSubsSA |
| WA (Perth) | stopaukuswa@gmail.com |
12th of March in Canberra
Forum: ‘AUKUS and Military Escalation: Who Pays and Who Benefits?’ at 6 p.m.
16th of March in Melbourne
Rally: No AUKUS! No War! PEACE! at 1 p.m.
16th of March in Adelaide
No AUKUS, No War at 2 p.m. Adelaide Parliament House Steps
16th of March in Sydney
NO ONE WANTS A WAR – Mobilise against AUKUS & War – Leaflet Blitz of Shopping Centres, Unis, Workplaces
17th of March in Wollongong/Port Kembla
Unions & Community Peace Speak-Out! at 10am – Port Kembla Heritage Park
18th of March in Canberra
Rally: NO TO AUKUS at 8:30 a.m
19th of March in Perth
Protest at the WA Defence Forum at 8 a.m.
24th of March in Brisbane
Palm Sunday Rally for Peace and Refugees at 3 p.m.
24th of March in Sydney
Statements of support
See our new Statements of support page for updates from unions, party branches and other community bodies. Get a statement from your own group, and let us know so we can share it here.
Australian Anti-AUKUS Coalition Statement
Hiroshima and Nagasaki Never Again!
No Nuclear Submarines, No AUKUS!
Demand Peace – Oppose War!
See below for Australia wide events and commemorations
On the 78th anniversary of U.S. dropping nuclear bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, nationwide events and commemorations are being held across Australia.
On 6 and 9 of August 1945, in an unparalleled crime against humanity, America dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, unleashing the great scourge of nuclear weapons and obliterating the two cities and their people.
120, 000 people died instantly and another 100,000 died from long term radiation poisoning and injuries. Tens of thousands more lived with radiation sickness for the rest of their lives.
South Pacific people and countries (including Australia) strove for many years to create and maintain a nuclear free zone in their region. Under AUKUS and the acquisition of hunter killer nuclear submarines, Australian governments are now betraying these hard won achievements by introducing the nuclear threat into the South Pacific, and risking a nuclear war in the region.
AUKUS and nuclear submarines will require Australia’s commitment to store large quantities of weapons-grade nuclear waste on the unceded lands of the First Nations People.
On Sunday 6 August commemorations and events will be held around Australia to remind the people of the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and call for the Australian government to cancel AUKUS and nuclear submarines and stop the drive to war.
The present climate of accelerating US military built up in our region and the proliferation of nuclear weapons makes it urgent for the Australian government to sign and ratify the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
Hiroshima and Nagasaki are sobering reminders that the march to war must be stopped.
Never Again Hiroshima and Nagasaki!
Nationwide events across Australia
Meanjin Brisbane QLD
Sunday 6 August at 2pm
Rally and March
King George Square
Speakers include Kristin Perissinotto- Electrical Trade Union, Laura Nolan – Environment Officer, UQ Union, Aahana Nag and Layla Farquharson – School Strike 4 Climate.
Sydney NSW
Sunday 6 August at 2pm
Rally: Hiroshima Never Again, No Nuclear Submarines
Sydney Town Hall Square Speakers include Pastor Ray Minniecon, Allan Behm (Australia Institute), Prof Jake Lynch (Peace and Conflict Studies), Fr Claude Mostowik (Pax Christi) Dr Vince Scappatura (Macquarie Uni.)
Newcastle NSW
Sunday 6 August at 11am-2pm
Commemoration and unveiling of new Peace Park sign
Tighes Hill Reserve, Maitland Rd
Speakers include Sharon Claydon MP, Senator David Shoebridge, Leigh Shears (Hunter Workers Secretary) and Brad Pidgeon (AMWU).
Hosted by the Hunter Peace Group.
Prayers for Peace Commemoration
Sunday 6 August at 6pm
Christ Church Cathedral, Church St, Newcastle.
Rev’d Dr Erica Mathieson and Rev’d Dr Ray Williamson. Hosted by Christians for Peace, Newcastle.
Wollongong NSW
Sunday 6 August at 4-6pm
Forum: No Place for a Nuclear Base
Church on the Mall, Auditorium
Register here.
Speakers include Peter Garrett, Cr Trish Frail (Ngemba campaigner against nuclear waste dump at Brewarinna), Dr Sue Wareham (MAPW) and Shaye Candish (NSW Nurses and Midwives Association). Hosted by Wollongong Against War and Nukes.
Armidale, NSW
Sunday 6 August, Hiroshima Day
1pm-2pm (setup from 12.30)
Judith Wright Memorial Grove, Civic Park Armidale
Naarm Melbourne VIC
Sunday 6 August at 1pm
Rally and march – State Library of Victoria
Peace Not War – No Nuclear Submarines, No AUKUS
Speakers: Margie Beavis (MAPW), David Ball (MUA), Jack Howard Labor Against War, Janet Rice (Greens), University student, South Korean unionist and peace activist
Choir for Peace, Riff Raff Marching Band. Hosted by No AUKUS Vic.
https://www.facebook.com/events/120081301140863?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D
Geelong / Djilang VIC
Friday 4 August, 4 pm
Rally, Little Malop St, Mall,
Followed by dinner and documentary screening at Geelong Trades Hall
Featuring Dr William Briggs, local international relations expert & Sarah Mansfield, Greens MLC for Western Victoria and the Geelong Climate Choir. Hosted by IPAN Geelong.
Nipaluna Hobart TAS
Saturday 5 August at 11am-12pm
Hiroshima Day Vigil
Join MAPW Tasmania and friends for the annual silent vigil to mark Hiroshima and Nagasaki days. Hosted by MAPW Tasmania and AAAC-Hobart.
Kaurna Yerta – Adelaide
Sunday 6 August 8 – 8.30 am
Peace Commemoration
Peace Park, Sir Edwin Smith Ave
Sunday 6 August at 2pm
Rally and March for Peace!
Parliament House, Hindmarsh Sq.
No More Hiroshimas, No to AUKUS
Fund Welfare Not Warfare
https://www.facebook.com/events/1226813328011517/
Perth
Sunday 6 August 12 – 1.30pm
Hiroshima Nagasaki Never Again
Perth Cultural Centre, Northbridge
Ban Nuclear Weapons, Cancel AUKUS No Nuclear Submarines/Peace Not War
List of speakers, click fb events link below
https://www.facebook.com/events/280921174535769/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D
ALP Conference rally Fri 18 Aug—no nuclear subs, no AUKUS (Meanjin/Brisbane)
Rally for Peace, not War at the ALP National Conference—Facebook event
Community Rally Sat 15 July: No Nuclear Subs (Brunswick Vic)
“The Road to War” film screening Sun 16 July (Gadigal land/Sydney)
Public forum 6 pm Fri 23 June (Naarm/Melbourne)
No to Nuclear Submarines – No to War. Yes to Peace, Jobs, Climate Justice.
Forum recording coming soon
AUKUS Fact sheet
Here’s our new Fact Sheet:
What is AUKUS? What are its implications for Australians? Why must it be opposed?
Read the AAAC’s Statement on the Quad:
The Quad is a US-led grouping of countries promoting war, not peace.
Recorded: National Zoom Public Meeting
We’re on the path to war. How can we stop it?
Sunday 26th March, 6.30pm AEDT
More information & video recording here
ACF response to Nuclear Submarines plan
Call for Peace statement
We call on the Government of Australia in the interests of peace and security for the Australian people and the region. Two adverts have already gone out in major newspapers with over 900 individuals and 90 organisations signing, but we continue to collect signatures to write letters to politicians, allies and to use for advocacy.
Union resolution
Resolution passed unanimously at the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU) National Conference December 2022:
CFMMEU National Conference is opposed to the ongoing and reckless AUKUS military alliance to develop nuclear submarine capability.
The secretive plan could cost as much as $170 billion and continues to escalate conflict with China and throughout our region.
This money should be spent on health care, education, social housing, natural disaster response and development of publicly owned renewable energy capacity.
We support workers across the world opposing war and excessive military spending and pledge ongoing opposition to further expansion of the nuclear industry.
We need more of this. Pass a resolution at any level in your union and let us know!
Call to Action
- Organise a community information meeting
- Share the Public Call for Peace statement widely on social media encouraging more people to sign
- Write letters and articles and ring Federal Members of Parliament
- Contact your local parliamentary representative
- Sign the the Healthcare Not Warfare petition
- Contact & join your local state or regional Anti-AUKUS group
- Please discuss this with workmates, in your community organisations or union.
