About Demilitarise Newcastle
We are a grassroots collective of people working to oppose the military industrial complex in Muloobinba/Newcastle.
Resisting the Militarisation of the Hunter Region
Muloobinba/Newcastle and surrounds are one of the most significant sites for military activity and weapons production on the continent, including:
- RAAF base in Williamtown
- BAE F-35 maintenance centre (one of three globally)
- Production of F-35 war plane components (Hoffmann Engineering, Nupress and Varley)
- Astra Aerolab - weapons precinct on Council land (will include the Kongsberg missile factory)
- Hunter Defence Taskforce - a government agency facilitating increased weapons production
- NSW University of Newcastle - part of the Defence Innovation Network
- Science and Engineering Challenge - a primary and high school program sponsored by Lockheed Martin
A genocide economy
Since 2024, 71 shipments of F-35 war plane parts have been flown from Williamtown (north of Muloobinba/Newcastle), to israel.
Arming war crimes is against domestic and international law. But the transfer of arms from the region is occurring due to pressure from the US and israel to continue servicing their attacks on Palestine, large parts of West Asia, and South America.
Whilst "Australia" remains committed to AUKUS (the trilateral agreement between the US, UK and "Australia") and servicing the US forever wars, this will be the driver for industry in the region.
This is a genocide economy, which makes weapons billionaires even richer and destroys people and our increasingly fragile planet.
Coal to Weapons is NOT a Just Transition
It is clear from AUKUS, the levels of investment in weapons' production, and statements by politicians, that Muloobinba/Newcastle is rapidly expanding its role in the military industrial complex.
Muloobinba/Newcastle is also a proposed location for nuclear submarines.
Apart from being one of the drivers for war, the weapons business is economic dead weight. Dollar for dollar, if we invested in health, infrastructure, renewable energy, we would create far more jobs and be doing things that are actually good for people.
What we're doing about it
This community has a long tradition of resisting both mining and militarism, as well as a tradition of creative, grassroots and radical action.
Demilitarise Newcastle has several "sites of resistance", mainly arms manufacturers (economic targets) and politicians/ elected representatives (political targets). We hold pickets, occupations, rallies and protests.
We also produce research and do outreach like information sessions, film nights, etc.
Mutual Aid, including First Nations mutual aid, is one of our core philosophies and activities.
In Demilitarise Newcastle, there are roles for people with all levels of experience and ability.
The society we are fighting for is one where everyone has what they need, is based on regenerative and low-carbon industries, and is free from the impacts of imperial wars.
Please contact us at demilitarisenewcastle@protonmail.com or on instagram @demilitarisenewcastle