End contracts and state support for weapons companies supplying the US and Israel

Weapons parts and explosives used in illegal wars across the world are manufactured here in Victoria, with the support of the Labor Government.

Melbourne is home to BAE Systems, which supplies weapons systems and components to the Israeli Defence Force; Thales, which partners with Israeli Aerospace Industries and Elbit Systems to produce guided missiles and drones; and companies involved in the supply chain for F-35 bombers. 

The Greens pledge to end all state contracts, grants and industry support for the supply of weapons or weapon components to the United States and Israel, and immediately withdraw the Victorian Government from supporting the global weapons supply chains, starting with those used in Israel’s genocide in Palestine. 

We will prohibit public funding, research partnerships and procurement agreements with arms manufacturing operating in Victoria, and legislate strict human rights conditions on any future industry engagement. We will end the taxpayer funded role of Victorian Defence Industry Advocate and taxpayer programs to promote the commercialisation of war.

The Greens will reduce Victoria's defence spending to zero, recognising that defence is a federal responsibility, not a state one. We would redirect those resources to core state responsibilities such as health, public schools, the arts, housing, and public transport. 

No weapons expos

When it comes to weapons, Labor boasts that Victoria is “open for business”. The Victorian Government sponsors Land Forces weapons expo and the Avalon Airshow, both arms fairs where deadly weapons are marketed to global buyers. 

The Greens believe that our city should not be used as a platform for the global arms trade, and that taxpayer dollars should not go towards increasing the profit margins of multi-national weapons manufacturers.

The Greens are calling for an end to government sponsorship and support for arms trade fairs.

Weapons out of education

Universities increasingly accept blood money from weapons manufacturers.

The weapons industry enters into agreements with universities to develop weaponry under the guise of education, funnel high achieving students straight into their employment, and to hijack the university’s reputations to gain a social licence to operate. 

The Greens will require full transparency for all defence-linked research partnerships at publicly funded universities.

We will attach strict human rights and ethical due-diligence conditions to state funding, ensuring no Victorian public institution partners with companies involved in the manufacture or supply of weapons used in violations of international law.

Our universities should be places of independent knowledge and public good — not recruitment pipelines for multinational weapons corporations. 

Protect the right to protest

Labor is increasingly cracking down on the right to peaceful protest. This right is central to our democracy. It has been a key part of winning the eight hour day, marriage equality and stopping Victorian forests being sent overseas as woodchips.

The Greens will always defend the right to peaceful protest.

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