Ten Arrested As Hundreds Of Protesters Blockade Defence Conference

Ten people have been arrested amid a massive demonstration outside a state-sponsored defence conference at Darling Harbour on Tuesday morning.

The Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition has been criticised for inviting Israeli-owned defence contractor Radael Advanced Defense Systems, and the country’s largest weapons company Elbit Systems, which are both listed among the exhibitors attending the event.

Arriving at the Sydney International Convention Centre at around 6:30 this morning, protesters from the Palestine Action Group planned to blockade the expo, despite the rejection of their form 1 application.

NSW Police cordoned off hundreds of protesters in a fenced-in area at Tumbalong Park, deploying pepper spray into the crowd multiple as protesters allegedly attempted to “access a restricted area” and “attempted to breach the police containment line”.

“The safety and security of delegates at the venue and the wider community is paramount,” NSW Police said.

“Anyone who breaches the peace will be arrested. Police will continue to have a presence at the assemblies and will work with protestors to ensure there is minimal impact to the community.”

Of the 10 arrests made, two people were later released without charge, a statement from NSW Police said. Four were taken to Day Street police station and four were taken to Surry Hills police station.

“Police are at the location to ensure the safety and security of delegates at the venue and the wider community,” said Sydney City Police Area Commander, Superintendent Paul Dunstan.

“Anyone not complying with police directions, or found to be breaching the peace, will be arrested and dealt with accordingly.”

Police operations remain ongoing in the CBD, with protesters going on to march from Darling Harbour to Town Hall.

Premier criticised for comments welcoming expo

On the expo’s website, Defence Minister Richard Marles said he was delighted to welcome attendees to the three-day event, which he described as a showcase of the “close cooperation between the Australian Defence Force, defence industry, international partners and other agencies, all working toward the shared goal of maritime security and a peaceful, prosperous Indo-Pacific”.

Speaking to ABC radio on Tuesday morning, Premier Chris Minns defended his government’s sponsorship of the conference, saying the maritime sector was a “massive part” of the NSW economy.

He dodged questioning about the attendance of Radael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit Systems, saying he held no responsibility for the conference invitations.

“I have got little to no exposure or decision-making in relation to Australia’s relationship with foreign countries and foreign arms manufacturers in relation to where it’s used,” he said.

Greens MP and spokesperson for Justice Sue Higginson criticised Minns’ endorsement of the event, saying she was concerned the State of NSW was in breach of Australia’s obligations to prevent genocide by showcasing weapons corporations linked to Israel’s genocide in Palestine.

“Labor Premier 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,” she 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.”