While defence minister Richard Marles and the City of Greater Geelong are enthusiastic about becoming a defence manufacturing zone, not everyone agrees.
Socialist Alliance councillor Sarah Hathway, who is running in , told 91̳ that there are better ways to create jobs and address community need.
Marles spoke at the August 23 opening of a Hanwha facility, which is slated to build howitzers and Huntsman military vehicles at Avalon Airport, saying it was a “really huge occasion” for the defence industry and “the people of Geelong”.
Hathway said she knows the cost-of-living crisis is “biting hard” in the northern suburbs, but “making Geelong a key part of the push for Australia to become one of the top 10 weapons manufacturing countries is not going to do anything good for residents in Norlane”.
She said the northern suburbs are being treated like a dumping ground for heavy industry, pointing to the proposed waste-to-energy incinerator and proposed offshore gas import terminal.
“These would not be tolerated in other parts of the city.”
Hathway has consistently opposed the City’s support for the defence industry. She voted against its Economic Development Plan because it welcomed defence manufacturing becoming central to the City’s budget.
She said residents in Norlane and Corio are being priced out while Marles is “directing buckets of money to councils willing to support weapons’ manufacturing”.
“Just last year, the City was suggesting it close libraries and pools due to budget shortfalls. Meanwhile, the federal government can pour billions into defence manufacturing.”
The newly opened Avalon Airport facility is contracted to build 28 self-propelled howitzers, 28 Huntsmans and 14 support vehicles.
Phase two will include the manufacture of 129 Redback infantry fighting vehicles. Labor gave Hanwha Defence Australia a $7 billion contract just for the Redbacks.
The City of Greater Geelong is part of the which includes Victorian Labor, Deakin University, Gordon TAFE, Geelong Chamber of Commerce, Hanwha Defence Australia, Marand, Chemring Australia and others.
Marand manufactures parts for F-35 fighter jets, built by Lockheed Martin, at the former Ford Factory in the northern suburbs.
“Israel is using F-35 fighter jets to bomb Gaza, including its hospitals, schools, water supply systems, places of worship and homes,” Hathway said. “People in our region do not want to be complicit in a genocide.”
with Australia working with Israeli company , which is making a component of the Redback vehicle, adding that Australia is not a “direct contractor”.
The City of Greater Geelong has been a part of the since at least 2019.
According to the local Independent and Peaceful Australia Network, it has stumped up $505,000 to sponsor a weapons expo — the bi-annual — and another $125,000 for a trade stand at the 2025 event.
The City at its new council offices last October, which included a representative from Hanwha Defense Australia.
Meanwhile, last November the City CEO refused to allow two motions supporting Palestine and standing against war to even be discussed, saying it would “incite violence”.
Management also rejected a petition calling on it to provide advocacy for Palestine because it was deemed to be “outside the powers and functions of council”.
Hathway has been a consistent supporter of peace and for sustainable, green jobs. She believes it is “completely wrong” for there to be an “over-emphasis on defence manufacturing as a ‘pillar’ in the City’s economy”.
“Just last year Council was proposing to close libraries and pools, due to budget shortfalls. The City needs to be pushing for federal and state funding for essential community services and recreational facilities.
“It also needs to help people find safe and secure housing. Residents in Norlane and Corio are being priced out; housing renewal has slowed to a trickle and there is no major public housing development. These are community priorities, not spending $500,000 on a weapons expo.”
[ to help with Sarah Hathway's re-election campaign.]