March 6, 2022
THE Sydney anti-AUKUS coalition, which has ties to the Labor Party through unions that have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars, is holding a protest today calling for “an end to NATO expansionism”.
The demand that NATO refuse to allow Ukraine to join it was also issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin last December. It has since been used to justify his brutal invasion of the country.
The Sydney anti-AUKUS Coalition was formed last year to fight against Australia’s deal with the US and Britain to buy nuclear-powered submarines.In the event description, the organisers say “We are demanding Russia get out of Ukraine and for an end to NATO’s expansionism.”
It also says the “disastrous war in Ukraine is feeding a military expansion by the West” and “Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s planned acquisition of nuclear submarines as part of the AUKUS military pact with the US and Britain will only increase regional tensions.”
Labor leader Anthony Albanese has endorsed AUKUS but the party has deep connections with several groups that are opposed to the alliance.
The Sydney anti-AUKUS Coalition’s Facebook page trumpets support from Labor affiliated unions the Maritime Union of Australia and the United Workers Union – formerly the National Union of Workers and United Voice – for its December rally against AUKUS, as well as NSW Young Labor vice-president and Young Labor Left NSW leader Lachie Good.On the day the agreement was announced, the federal vice-president of the ALP and MUA official Mich-Elle Myers made it clear she did not share her leader’s support for the alliance.
On the day the agreement was announced last September she tweeted “the deals about nuclear subs and defence deals has made me feel sick”.She also suggested the deal had been motivated by a desire to detract attention from woes of former Attorney-General Christian Porter, tweeting: “How do we get Christian Porter out of the news? Nuclear submarines.”
The MUA, UWU and AMWU are all Labor affiliates and major donors to the party. Liberal Senator James Paterson said Labor’s leadership should distance itself from the rally and the anti-AUKUS coalition.
“Anthony Albanese must unconditionally condemn these ALP-affiliated unions and officials for their shameful attacks on Ukraine’s sovereignty and right to self determination, our NATO allies and our most important defence technology agreement, AUKUS,” he said.
