Above photo: Merri-bek Socialist Alliance councillor Sue Bolton told the rally that ‘all weapons manufacturering facilities’ should be shut down. Jacob Andrewartha.
NOTE: Protests are being held across Australia in support of Palestinian liberation.
Community members demanded the closure of the Heat Treatment Australia weapons manufacturing facility in Campbellfield in Naarm/Melbourne on February 2, for its role in arming Israel.
HTA provides crucial heat treatment process for components of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, used by the Israeli Defense Forces in their ongoing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.
The defence department states that “HTA is vital to the Australian supply chain for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter”.
Renegade Activists, a group putting the spotlight on weapon’s manufacturers in Australia, said: “HTA’s growth has been driven both by the Australian government’s policy of becoming a major international supplier of weapons and its defence purchasing decisions.”
It said HTA is involved in manufacturing hundreds of parts for the F-35 fighters and receives government subsidies.
Merri-bek Socialist Alliance councillor Sue Bolton told the rally that “all weapons manufacturing facilities should be shut down or should be made to produce civilian products that working people need, not weapons used for war”.
The protest was organised by Hume for Palestine, which has initiated a petition calling on Hume City Council to immediately close the facility.
In response to the protest, HTA ceased operations at the facility for the day.
Another rally demanding its closure has been called for February 9, at 10am, at 43B Lara Way, Campbellfield.
Sign the petition to shut down the HTA weapons manufacturing facility here.