Peace groups commemorate Hiroshima Day, calling upon government to abandon AUKUS
Image: Protesters gathered in Sydney to commemorate Hiroshima Day. Image: Hiroshima Day Sydney/Facebook
By JUSTIN COOPER
Marking the 78th anniversary of the nuclear bomb attack on Hiroshima, Sydney peace groups commemorate victims of nuclear weapons and call upon the Australian Government to cancel AUKUS deals.
On Sunday, the Hiroshima Day Sydney peace group held a rally to commemorate the day and criticised the controversial deal between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States to build nuclear submarines.
Gathering at Town Hall, action group members and supporters spoke out against the AUKUS deal and marched across Pitt Street with the clear message to, “Sink the Subs.”
Groups followed processions at the Defence Department in Sydney commemorating victims of nuclear testing and weapons with a wreath laying ceremony.
“Steps to promote peace”
Speaker at the rally and Hiroshima Day Sydney committee member, Denis Doherty, explained the implications of the AUKUS deal surrounding the use of nuclear-powered submarines.
“Australia is losing its ability to be a nuclear free country and to comply with the provisions of the non-proliferation treaty,” says Doherty.
“And the Albanese Government still has not honoured its commitment to sign the Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.”
“We call on the Albanese Government to announce the cancellation of the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal and steps to promote peace and co-operation within our region and globally,” continued Doherty.
Noting the “eye watering” $386 billion expense, Doherty explained the potential detriment of funding the deal and effects of nuclear waste.
“This exorbitant cost inevitably means the government will have to raid other portfolios such as environment, health, housing and education.
“It is simply not acceptable that we suffer because of US ambitions to remain top dog in the region,” Doherty explained.
“The submarines will produce high level nuclear waste which the government has agreed to store for around 200,000 years.
“No country in the world has yet found a way to store high level radioactive waste so is the government going to simply dump it on Indigenous land?” questioned Doherty.
Recalling the “bitter history lesson” of the thousands of victims from the Hiroshima bombing, Doherty says, “The AUKUS deal has opened up the prospect of more Hiroshima in our country, only this time both sides will have nuclear weapons.”
Controversial Deal
In March, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the plan to build eight nuclear submarines in Australia, with the help of UK and US technology in order to advance regional security.
Speaking in San Diego at the time of the announcement, Albanese said the plan is, “the biggest single investment in Australia’s defence capability in all of our history, strengthening Australia’s national security and stability in our region.”
The billion-dollar deal is expected to be paid over the next 30 years, and is expected to provide 8,500 jobs in assisting the creation and maintenance of the submarines.
However, along with peace groups, many have criticised the bill for investing in nuclear weapons and the dangers of nuclear waste.
Waverley Councillor, Elaine Keenan, introduced a motion in May requesting Waverley Council write to the government to withdraw from the deal.
Whilst council voted against the motion, Cr Keenan told City Hub at the time that the deal could have “dire outcomes” from the “huge expansion of militarism.”
The AUKUS submarines are expected to be operating in the 2040s, and are expected to be based in Adelaide and Perth.
