ANTI-AUKUS campaigners forced a Special Electors Meeting at Cockburn council this week to protest the City’s “lack of due diligence” when formally supported the tripartite agreement earlier this year.
At its May ordinary meeting, Cockburn passed an amendment to it economic framework development action plan which included support of AUKUS and the “benefits it brings to Cockburn, including jobs, infrastructure, investment, and growth”.
The decision, which was moved by councillor Tom Widenbar, was protested by a group of residents who were concerned about the lack of transparency and consultation.
The residents, including representatives from Stop AUKUS WA, then gathered more than 300 signatures to petition the Council which triggered this Thursday’s, December 19.
According to the petition and draft motion submitted to the City, there was “no community consultation or engagement” on the Council’s decision to support the international nuclear submarine agreement.
“Residents deserve the right to lobby, to talk, and to advocate prior to a vote of Council,” the petition read.
• Anti-AUKUS protestors gather before Thursday’s special electors meeting in Cockburn, though some say it’s not necessarily about stopping the tripartite agreement, but getting more information from the council.
Absurd
Stop AUKUS WA and Bibra Lake Greens candidate Robyn Walsh said the decision to support AUKUS without consultation was “just absurd” given the brevity of the nuclear submarine agreement.
“[The City] did not even think that their electors might have an opinion about this, which is a really significant issue,” she said.
“The meeting is about the fact that there was no report, recommendation, or ability for the constituents of the city of Cockburn to bring their position to the councillors.
“They haven’t done any due diligence in the process of making, moving, and passing this motion.”
The motion for the Special Electors Meeting asks that the Cockburn revokes its support for AUKUS, prepares a report into the risks of the deal, and engages in a “wide-ranging” community consultation before it votes on any further Aukus support motions with “proper consideration”.
“This is not necessarily a Stop AUKUS process,” Ms Walsh said.
“Fundamentally, the issue is that people don’t have enough information about AUKUS, and there’s been no discussion about it.
“It’s really just calling [the council] out for their disregard of the democratic process.”
Cockburn mayor Logan Howlett says he is supportive of the resident’s right to engage with the council process.
“Cockburn council welcomes the community’s right to present motions related to the purpose of the meeting at the Special Electors’ Meeting,” Mr Howlett said.
“Any resolutions passed at the meeting will be presented to the ordinary council meeting on February 11, 2025, for consideration.”
by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER