Iraq War Not In Australia's National Interest
20 March 2003
“Mr Howard has made no compelling case for the invasion of a country that poses no direct threat to Australia. Nor has he produced any evidence linking recent terrorist attacks with the regime of Saddam Hussein,” said ACTU Secretary Greg Combet.

He said Mr Howard’s actions were likely to provoke a much greater threat of terrorism against Australians – a consequence already acknowledged by Minister Tony Abbott in a speech to Parliament.

Mr Combet said the Prime Minister had failed to address a number of key concerns troubling millions of Australians opposed to the war. These include:

  • humanitarian and economic costs of the conflict
  • why a disarmament process, which was making progress, could not continue
  • the unexplained political role of the United States in a post-war Iraq
  • the potential for long term destabilisation in the Middle East and globally
  • the heightened risk to Australia’s security
  • Australia’s attitude toward the UN and its support or otherwise for international law

Unions are participating in a number of peaceful protest rallies in coming days and urge all Australians opposed to the war to take part in sending a message to Prime Minister Howard.

Attached is a comprehensive list of union activities in all states.

Union anti-war protests around Australia

Queensland

Rally at King George Square on the day the invasion starting 5pm. A public meeting is scheduled for Thursday 20th at 7pm in the Ithaca Room, Town Hall. A rally is being planned for Saturday.

NSW

Daily vigils are being held at Town Hall at 5pm. Rally outside Sydney Town Hall on the day war begins. On 23 March at 12.30pm there will be a rally assembling at Belmore Park and marching to the Domain. For more see the Labor Council’s No War On Iraq campaign area on Labornet http://www.labor.net.au/campaigns/nowar/nowar.html

Victoria

Vigil at the State Library, 5pm on the day war starts. Also on the first weekday after the start of the war, a rally is being planned outside Trades Hall at noon. For more info see the VTHC’s website - http://www.vthc.org.au.

South Australia

A rally on Sunday March 23 at 1pm at Victoria Square. There will be a rally at Parliament House, Adelaide, the day war begins. On April 13 there will be a Palm Sunday rally.

Western Australia

Rally at 3.30pm on first day of war at Perth Concert Hall forecourt (also the location of the US Embassy). March will join up with a community rally in Forest Place at 5pm.

Tasmania

Unions Tasmania will be rallying on the day the invasion starts in Franklin Square, Hobart at 4.30pm. Rally and march on Saturday March 22 in Hobart from the Rose Garden to Parliament House at 11.30 to coincide with the convergence on Canberra.