2024-09-17
The Greens have requested that AMDA - the group that ran Land Forces, the largest weapons expo in the southern hemisphere - have its charity status revoked.
The Greens say that a company that platforms weapons manufacturers that are responsible for genocide and war crimes, is not a charity.
Greens MP for Richmond Gabrielle de Vietri and the Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt have written to the ACNC to ask that they revoke AMDA Foundation’s registration.
AMDA runs several major weapons-related trade exhibitions across the country where military organisations, government representatives, trade delegates and military officials from around the world have attended to buy and sell weapons, ammunition, military parts and equipment.
Quotes attributable to Greens MP for Richmond, Gabrielle de Veitri:
“It’s outrageous that AMDA, a company that hosts multinational weapons expos, can masquerade as a charity.
“Nothing about this event is charitable. The public can’t even attend this event. This is all about tax deductions for the weapons manufacturers and government representatives looking for their next cushy job.
“The weapons industry profits from death and destruction. They promote war because they benefit from it. That is no way beneficial to the general public.
“A company that promotes profiting from violent oppression around the world should not be enjoying charity tax concessions.
“Revoking AMDA’s charity status is a step we can take to stop enabling multinational companies to profit from killing people.”