What is militarisation? Why demilitarise?

Demilitarise (verb): do away with the military organization and potential of

Militarisation refers to the building and expanding of infrastructure to prepare for war, and on this continent that is predominantly the business of exporting war.

History of militarism in the Hunter

Newcastle/Muloobinba has always been a significant site for the project of ‘Australia’. Awabakal/Worimi Country was the second established colony on this continent and has developed into a hub of critical resources for the functioning of this colonial project.

During World War II Newcastle was the major industrial production hub for a massive range of essential war related products. This made it the most important location for mainland defence and the operation to defend these industries (Fortress Newcastle) became the largest military defence establishment in Australian history. Fortress Newcastle was comprised of 4 forts, 5 Army bases, 2 Naval Bases, 2 RAAF bases and 7 anti-aircraft guns. It is claimed that the war effort in this region was critical to the survival of Australia in World War II.

Ongoing militarism

While today, the broader context has shifted a lot, Newcastle remains a vital hub for Australian militarism. This area is a unique opprtunity for the industry, with the RAAF base and airport as well as extensive rail and freight networks. The University of Newcastle also has strong ties with weapons manufacturers and is known to assist the with engineering and design support as well as funneling young thinkers
into the industry.

Newcastle is one of three places in the world that has an F35 maintenance program (BAE at the RAAF base) and is soon to be home to the second factory in the world with the capacity to produces missiles for the F35 joint strike fighter jets (Kongsberg at Astra Aerolab). As well as all of the small to medium enterprises that produce components for these weapons, Newcastle is a significant place globally for the F35 supply chain and definitely to the Australian weapons industry.

There is clear evidence that shows that F35 parts have been transported to Israel from the Williamstown RAAF base, to be used in the ongoing genocide of Palestinian peoples (find out more at Declassified Australia).The capacity for producing weapons parts for these jets is going to significantly increase with the defence precinct development, Astra Aerolab.

The Hunter region is a globally significant area for military, coal and other resource infrastructure. Making it a vital area for ongoing resistance to the intrinsically connected fights for the liberation of lands and people from violent, military rule and occupation.

Antimilitarist action in Newcastle/Muloobinba

The community of Newcastle/Muloobinba has a long history of resistance to both the coal and weapons industries. As well as a rich history of radical community projects and initiatives. That continues today, with a variety of approaches being taken - from council members fighting against the militarisation of our region to grassroots groups and initiatives organising and taking action. Direct action has a long standing history of being a way that every day people can engage in politics and have their voices heard. There are very few avenues where we are able to truly speak out against injustices or use what we have available to us to intervene in what we can see clearly as violent and unjust. Coming together to stand up for what we believe in is a powerful and effective method in creating change. Get involved, there are opportunities for anyone to engage in whatever capacity they can. We are stronger together. This land knows what its like to be free from the military industrial complex and extractive industries, we can take inspiration from this and work together to liberate ourselves and this land once again.