but What if I am too tired to fight to get free – Arab-Australian writer, Elina Abou Sleiman.
Unions impose bans on Israeli ships and Australian arms dealers
Recently David Shoebridge (Greens) pointed out in the federal parliament that the Australian government has secret contracts with Israel. Why? Is the government complicit in the genocide in Gaza?
David Shoebridge (in the federal senate of Australia): Thank you President. My question without notice to the minister representing the Minister for Defence, noting that a recent Department of Defence Media release stated that more than 70 Australian companies have directly shared more than $4.13 billion in global F-35 production and sustainment contracts, and that earlier this month, it was revealed that Israel has been ordering F-35 stepped spare parts from global suppliers for the F-35 (that) it is using in the bombardment of Gaza. Can the minister confirm whether or not Australia is or will be supplying F-35 parts to the State of Israel?
Penny Wong: … I’m advised that Australia has not supplied these weapons to Israel since the Hamas-Israel conflict began. And I’m advised that that is the case for at least the last five years. [Please note how circumspect Foreign inister Wong’s answer is. Is she aware of the complicity of Ferra Engineering in supplying parts to Israeli F-35 aircraft currently involved in war crimes in Gaza (see below)].
Meanwhile, Israel’s Zim company ships are travelling around the Eastern seaboard of Australia, dropping into ports in Botany Bay and in Melbourne. What is on board those ships?
Australian workers need to know this. The MUA is not alone in placing bans on Israeli companies.
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The Electrical Trade Union (ETU) supports the Palestinian call for international solidarity by placing Boycotts Divestments and Sanctions against Israeli companies and goods. This includes work bans in Australia.
Meanwhile Australia has outsourced its defence industry to the United States by buying AUKUS nuclear powered submarines for possible future conflict with China.
Arms manufacturer in Brisbane (Meanjin)
During a visit to Ferra Engineering in Brisbane on 13 April 2016 former Minister for Defence Materiel, Dan Tehan, and the Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, congratulated the company on being a leader in production of Joint Strike Fighter F-35 components saying: “every Joint Strike Fighter flying world-wide will have weapon adaptors produced by Ferra.”
The F-35 is being used to bomb hospitals, schools and residential buildings in the Gaza strip and to bomb airports in Damascus, Aleppo, and Homs in Syria. They may even be involved in the dropping of white phosphorus on Gazan schools and on farmlands in southern Lebanon. Ferra had this to say about Australian government about discussion they have had with the current Austraian government during the genocide on Gaza:
Ferra is “delivering strategic sovereign manufacturing of weapons systems, aerostructures and aero-mechanical systems, exploring opportunities for growth and innovation, and fostering international partnerships. It was a unique platform to showcase Ferra’s commitment to advancing the Australian aerospace and defense industry on a global scale.” – Ferra – “Forging partnerships, Building bridges”
Penny Wong’s government abstained in successive UN votes calling for a ceasefire to prevent further ethnic cleansing in Gaza.
Ian Curr
Day 46 of Genocide in Gaza
22 Nov 2023
