Wage Peace - Disrupt War

Strategic, bold, direct and discursive action to disrupt militarism in Australia and our region.

Margie Pestorius

How is David McBride’s prosecution in the public interest?

Free McBride War Crimes Matter banner

By KATHRYN KELLY

Whistleblower David McBride is facing five national security-related charges, carrying up to life imprisonment, for leaking information to the ABC.

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie last week put a motion in Parliament noting that military lawyer David had been warning Defence about command failings and about the conduct of the war in Afghanistan since 2014. When no effective action was taken, Major McBride provided information to the ABC which raised the alarm on the matters before us in the Brereton report, and subsequently he was arrested. Wilkie’s motion further called for all charges against Major McBride to be dropped. The information he had provided to the ABC formed the basis of the “Afghan Files” broadcast in July 2017.

The Hansard of last Monday, November 30, provides Wilkie’s explanatory speech on why these charges should not continue, referencing also whistleblowers Witness K and Richard Boyle as well as the cases of Julian Assange and lawyer Bernard Collaery. Both the government and Labor voted against debating the motion. This is a shameful situation.

 

Attorney-General Christian Porter gave the explanation that the separation of powers requires that the government not interfere in judicial matters and that it is the responsibility of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) to decide whether or not to proceed with prosecutions. However, he didn’t acknowledge that the Attorney-General’s consent was required for the prosecutions of Witness K and Bernard Collaery to take place under the National Security Information Act (NSIA), a situation that is not required for most criminal cases.

Only five MPs voted to debate the motion – Andrew Wilkie, Rebekha Sharkie, Adam Bandt, Helen Haines and Zali Steggall.

Porter also gave no explanation as to why the issue of the leaking of information on possible war crimes in Afghanistan had sat before George Brandis for years and no action was taken on the prosecution. Why then did Porter, or, he would have us believe, the CDPP, suddenly decide in September 2018 that Major McBride should be charged? Especially as the case does not appear to meet the CDPP criteria for prosecution.

While generally Porter’s justification would have validity, and non-interference by government in judicial affairs is a strong and fundamental principle of democracy, there are powers that can be used if a miscarriage of justice is seen to be done. Section 71 of the Judiciary Act (1903) gives the Attorney-General those powers.

It is testament to our strong judicial system that those powers have not had to be used, but it does not mean they should never be used. Major McBride’s case, as well as those of Witness K and Bernard Collaery (whose actions led to the Australian government’s bugging of the Timor-Leste government offices being exposed) and Richard Boyle (ATO whistleblower) are clear instances where the injustice of the prosecutions is strong and is clear justification for the powers to be used.

The prosecution of these whistleblowers does the government no credit as they are acting in the public interest, not for any gain for themselves. They are people of integrity and should be lauded for their actions.

It is no coincidence that this government is refusing to implement a strong Commonwealth independent commission against corruption. It is also no coincidence that it is cutting funds to the National Audit Office and the ABC, institutions fundamental to our democracy that have identified serious deficiencies in proper spending accountability and other areas of administration by the government. So it is perhaps no surprise that the government is punishing whistleblowers so severely.

In this situation of lack of accountability, it is crucial that whistleblowers are encouraged to bring wrongdoings to public notice. In some other countries – for example, the US and South Korea – there are rewards for whistleblowers who provide information leading to prosecutions. A royal commission into the adverse treatment of the whistleblowers referred to here, and of others, and into the effective legislative protections and possible rewards needed for them, should be urgently instituted.

Kathryn Kelly is co-convener of the Coalition of Supporters of Bernard Collaery and Witness K.

First published in THE CANBERRA TIMES December 8 2020. Used with permission of the author.

Media Release:  Secret SAS training centre occupied by four Christians from “Christians Against All Terrorism”

Monday 30th November, 2020, 6am

Four anti-war activists from “Christians Against ALL Terrorism” are on Swan Island, protesting and shining a light on the secretive spy and SAS training base, just one hour west of Melbourne.

UPDATE! Four Christians have been arrested by Vic Police and have been removed from the SAS Training base after disrupting the ongoing SAS training there this morning. [See live video on the Wage Peace Facebook page] Summary now on youtube,  They have called to #AbolishtheSAS and to #StopTrainingKillers

Peter Murnane a Dominican Priest, Shane Anderson, Jim Dowling and Greg Rolles have accessed the base early this morning.

“We act to draw attention to terrible war crimes, and to help bring them to an end.” Murnane said. “There needs to be an independent enquiry conducted by a body not connected to the military, and we need to immediately disband the SAS. The Brereton enquiry has shown us that the SAS has committed horrendous war crimes. The SAS stoops to waging the worst forms of warfare.”

In 2014, four Christian peace activists were tortured on Swan Island by members of the Swan Island Army Detachment (which includes the SAS).

“As Christians working for peace, we have come back here to remind the SAS of the crimes they committed, of violence and torture towards four men who were nonviolently demonstrating.” Murnane said. “It is love that is basic to humanity, not violence of any kind, whether domestic or international.”

Greg Rolles, 39, was one of those brutally assaulted by the SAS in October 2014 “Love must actively resist violence. Only by this can we heal the victims of war, or heal the soldiers trained to commit this brutality, to heal our earth, and heal our world.” Rolles said.

The Brereton Report has highlighted 39 horrendous war crimes committed by SAS personnel, many of whom have most likely trained at Swan Island military base, right here in Victoria. It is not enough that these 39 war crimes be internally investigated, the SAS needs to be disbanded immediately.

Background

Live Feed may be available from Facebook Wage Peace

Twitter:  @wagepeaceau

 

‘Power and pain’: an Australian citizens’ encounter with the SAS

Kieran Finnane Pearls and Irritations 26 November 2020

‘Power and pain’: an Australian citizens’ encounter with the SAS

Three anti-war protesters sue Defence Force over alleged assault during protest

Emily Moulton News.com.au 30 September, 2015
Greg Rolles from the Swan Island Peace Convergence group has launched legal action against the Australian Defence Force claiming he was ‘threatened with anal rape’ by an unidentified officer. Picture: Nathan Dyer Source: News Corp Australia
Greg Rolles from the Swan Island Peace Convergence group has launched legal action against the Australian Defence Force claiming he was ‘threatened with anal rape’ by an unidentified officer. Picture: Nathan Dyer Source: News Corp Australia

Scott asks about Secret SAS squad investigated for alleged rape and drowning threats

Senate Estimates 23 October, 2014

Scott Ludlam asks about the existence of a secret SAS 4 Squadron and the alleged capture of peace activists at Swan Island using brutal force such as having their clothes ripped off, their heads covered in hessian bags, their hands and feet bound with cable ties and threats of rape and drowning. (Senate Estimates)
Then Senator Scott Ludlam grills Lieutenant General David Morrison and Air Chief Marshal Mark Donald Binskin about the existence of a secret SAS 4 Squadron and the alleged capture of peace activists at Swan Island using brutal force such as having their clothes ripped off, their heads covered in hessian bags, their hands and feet bound with cable ties and threats of rape and drowning. 

ASIS base protesters claim mistreatment in ‘Guantanamo Bay’ style

Louise Milligan  ABC 
ASIS base protesters claim mistreatment in 'Guantanamo Bay' style
A group of non-violent Christian protesters claim they were hooded, stripped and dragged on the ground after breaking into the secret Swan Island military and intelligence base saying it was more like Guantanamo Bay than Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula.

 

Anti-war protesters claim they were abused on Swan Island intelligence facility

Peter Michelborough at the Herald Sun  2 Oct, 2017

 

 

Herald Sun article Anti-war protesters claim assault illegal
Swan Island Peace Convergence group spokesman Greg Rolles is suing over his treatment by the defence force.

 

Anti-war activists who broke into Swan Island military base to be charged.

The Guardian Helen Davidson 2 October, 2014Photo: Anti-war activists who broke into Swan Island military base to be charged. The Guardian 2014

 

Defence Force Inquiry Report into the circumstances surrounding the trespass incident at Swan Island on 02 October 2014
Defence Force Inquiry Report into the circumstances surrounding the trespass incident at Swan Island on 02 October 2014

 

Protests at the entrance to the Swan Island SAS training facility 2014: Bnaner Who's dirty wars are the SAS fighting
Click to download 300dpi version Protests at the entrance to the Swan Island SAS training facility 2014: Banner Who’s dirty wars are the SAS fighting?

Swan Island Peace activists outside court

Boe Spearim’s Fabulous Frontier Wars Podcast – Must Listen!

Wage Peace with our friends the Gimuy Walubara Yidindji and the Gimuy Peace Pilgrims for several years have been exploring the FNQ regional frontier stories and more locally the story of Gimuy (Cairns) though our special people to people corroborree of story, lament, and truthtelling.

Now listen to these wonderful podcasts with Boe Spearim as they yarn with local historians, academics and family observers.

Together they re-tell the stories of the appalling, militarised colonisation of the Sovereign Nations of this Great South Land.  And reveal the massive and long held resistance.

You will not be the same.

After listening :),  organise a people to people ceremony to remember the Frontier Wars – and lament – this ANZAC eve, or some other significant day that suits your community. Contact us and tell us. We’ll amplify your story.

 

 

Tell the Stories of Frontier

Facilitating Exports: The Global Supply Chain and Landforces Brisbane

Will you prepare to stand with us in at Landforces in Brisbane, June 2021?

The weapons industry in Brisbane is rapidly developing. 

We inspected three Brisbane-based companies: Boeing, Rheinmetall and Nioa.

Being onsite gives us ordinary folk concrete information. We encounter real people going about their everyday preparation for … war crimes.

The Global Supply Chain: GSC=Weapons Exports

Boeing, Rheinmetall and Nioa are all involved in Global Supply Chain deals: Australia gives the world’s largest corporations special status and lots of money to groom smaller Australian companies to export weapons. Rheinmetall’s partner Nioa is a previously small but now-growing-quickly-with-your-tax-dollars ammunition company.

Boeing build ‘aircraft for war crimes’.  There’s the list above. 

Boeing has taken unknown $$$ in incentives by Qld Labor to set up in Brisbane. Our money for their war crimes.  Or, our money for their corporation. Period.

We went to Boeing with the message that Boeing is ‘Out of Control’.

“Spokesperson Greg Rolles said “We are here today because Boeing builds aircraft for war crimes. The attack helicopter that killed journalists in the infamous ‘Collateral Murder’ video was Boeing’s. Boeing aircraft have destroyed civilian infrastructure in Yemen, enabled an unlawful campaign of extra-judicial assassination, and left countless people in fear of their own skies.”
Mr Rolles said “Boeing’s further research into artificial intelligence will take humanity even more out of the loop. Boeing is now building armed drones in Brisbane and siphoning money out of Australian communities into the production of weapons designed to kill. Boeing is out of control.”

You can read the whole media release here.

Rheinmetall and Nioa

Rheinmetall is another of eight ‘PRIME’ contractors involved in the Global Supply Chain Program. There’s a prize if you can list them. Is Saab in or out? Leidos?

“Disarm Rheinmetall!”, Kassel, Germany.

In Germany, our friends at Rheinmetall Entwaffnen [‘Disarm Rheinmetall’] conducted a weekend of actions against Rheinmetall in Kassel Germany where they make tanks and ammunition. Activists blocked two factories for 3 days.

We visited Rheinmetall in Brisbane in solidarity with the German actions. It is an immense facility on some of the last free river land in Brisbane representing further militarisation of Indigenous lands. 

Watch our video to hear the story of Rheinmetall in Australia

Rheinmetall’s weapons business takes money and support from both tiers of government.

  1. State Labor provided $170million according to a rusted-on Labor supporter on Twitter. 
  2. Federal Governments have rewarded Rheinmetall with “Global Supply Chain” status for weapons exports plus various contracts such as the 225 ‘Boxer’ armoured vehicles. 

Rheinmetall have their Military Vehicles Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) – in the suburb of Redbank. You may have seen the PM riding in a tank there last week. MILVEHCOE sounds like a glorified mechanic’s pit-stop but it is a weapons dealership facilitating “additional builds and design programs”.  They assemble weaponised vehicles and make munitions all the while searching for ‘markets’ (read communities of ordinary people) where their weapons and ammunition can be used.

A major concern for the German activists are Rheinmetall’s weapons transfers to Turkey which is initiating dangerous airstrikes in Kurdistan. 

But our focus is Indonesia. Rheinmetall are already trading weapons to Indonesia which will NOT #MakeWestPapuaSafe. We see Indonesia buying weapons and using those weapons on their own people in law enforcement and military contexts. Indonesia is involved in distinct and increasing human rights abuses in West Papua.

Rheinmetall will be a big player at the LANDFORCES 2021 weapons trade event in Brisbane in June where everyone will be #makingakilling. 

NIOA with Rheinmetall – a team making ammunition for war crimes.

Where would the PM go next? Thinking we might catch the media associated with a prime-ministerial visit, we visited Nioa which has teamed with Rheinmetall to take money from the people of Queensland. Nioa was set up by Robert Nioa in the 1970s for the manufacture of ammunition for “sport” but they have … expanded.

Watch our video at Nioa, on Lomandra Drive near the BITA at Pinkenba

NIOA are also beneficiaries of the Global Supply Chain Program.

  1. Nioa’s factory has just received $11 million from the Feds to build a 5 story office building. That is a free office building as far as we can tell. 
  2. The new partnership Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions is set to make munitions – bullets and automatic machine-gun chains – for export, including ammunition for the US F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme.

(Interestingly, Mr Nioa is married to Bob Katter’s daughter Eliza who is a major financial supporter of the Katter Party). We presume these exports will go to 

  1. Indonesia to the police and to the TNI Indonesian Defence Force via Prabowo the Minister for Defence who is already a designated war criminal
  2. The Philippines which has a known systematic human rights abuser in President Duterte. He is likely to use weapons on his own people, to suppress both journalists and community based actions against injustice: against people in movements for the poor, ethical trade, justice, climate and environment.
  3. And maybe they can stir up some trouble in the Solomans again, or Bougainville or PNG and score some deals.

What next? Landforces 2021.

We must never stop exposing the weapons’ companies interest in promoting violent conflicts to sell their products. Truly they are #WarProfiteers.

You are our friends, colleagues and followers. You are the people MOST INTERESTED IN the RISE of MILITARISM in Australia.

We need you to actively work with us in making plans to disrupt this militarism at every point. We need you with us when we take action. We need new forms of action beyond social media. It is not enough to know what is going on. 

Will you prepare to stand with us at Landforces 2021?

Boeing is trying to sell attack helicopters to Australia now. Rheinmetall is fixing arrangements with Indonesia. They will be pushing for contracts and dealing with dictators at Landforces 2021 a massive land-weapons trade event in Brisbane in June 2021. They will be joined at Landforces by our old friends EOS who are also exporting in the region.

Join us as we organise toward Landforces 2021. Are you interested in being on our core team for Landforces?

Which targets would be best? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Yours in peace,

Margie and Miriam, Zelda, Cate and the team.

References:

Bankrolling the Qld parties 

Boeing.com.au Boeing offers Apache helicopter program

Rheinmetall disarm 

Benarnnews.org Prabowo human rights 

 

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Budget a setback for Australia and the region

A weapons led recovery
Frydenberg’s 2020-21 budget confirms a profligate spend on Australia’s military capabilities that is unjustifiable from every view point: strategic, economic, environmental and social.

The addition of a further $3 billion to the already allocated $42.2billion for 2020-21 will see Australia acquire a military capability grossly disproportionate to its defence needs. The planned capability will work less as a deterrent to adversaries and more as provocation and destabiliser, undermining national security. It also undermines security by diverting money from priority areas such as health and the environment.

“The military budget is one place where we can afford to cut our expenditure as we face no enemies and are not under any threat of direct or indirect attack by any state.  Instead the Government has caved in to the pressure from US and European arms corporations and decided to spend on weaponry like there is no tomorrow” said Denis Doherty from the Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition.

“The Treasurer promised us a budget ‘all about jobs’”, said Mr Doherty. “What in fact his budget does is propose very inefficient, uncertain and expensive means to generate jobs, and the military component of the budget exemplifies this.”

In 2017, US researches compared the number of jobs created by the investment of $1 million in various sectors: for every $1 million spent on defence, 6.9 jobs were created. The same amount invested in health care produced 14.3 jobs and in clean energy 9.8 jobs.

The Australian Government plans to spend $45 billion on defence. If ten per cent of that amount were transferred to healthcare, something like 64,000 jobs could be created in our struggling health care system and, in addition, we could be better equipped to combat the pandemic. If another ten per cent went to clean energy, we’d have about 45,000 jobs and could help address the nation’s major security problem, the environmental crisis.

“Australia’s limited resources would clearly be better spent on shoring up our health system than it would on upgrading military hardware.

“Australian taxpayers may ask if spending more than A$80 billion on 12 new submarines, which security specialists say will be out of date before they are delivered, is a sensible use of scarce resources when there are more immediate and compelling threats to our community,” Mr Doherty said.

“Where is the massive public housing spend? Where is the major health initiative? Where are the environmental protection measures?

“The Morrison Government’s budget has delivered a massive setback to the people of Australia which will make us poorer but not safer or healthier,” Denis Doherty concluded.

Budget a setback for Australia and the region, Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition