Labor’s AUKUS-trated Conference denies debate on key issues

Written by: Nick G. on 24 July 2026

(CFMEU life member Allen Harris addresses the crowd - photo Supplied)

Approximately 150 people rallied outside the ALP National Conference at the Adelaide Convention Centre this morning.

It was a work day, so many of the participants were retirees with varying degrees of hirsute grey. Fearing their revolutionary intentions, the police had their own greys in attendance – a phalanx of horses known in SA as the “police greys”.

As delegates entered the Convention Centre, many stopped to greet picketers and express solidarity with them, taking leaflets from various organisations. Others refused to acknowledge the picketers, knowing that they were about to role-play a stage-managed event that is so controlled by Labor heavies that there is no chance to debate key issues such as AUKUS.

Extinction Rebellion members provided a theatrical touch with about twenty dressed in orange hazmat gear with anti-AUKUS slogans on their backs, a loud warning alarm directed at the dangers of war, and a dollar-decorated inflatable green sub.

(Photo supplied)

The rally had been called by the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN), which coincidentally has its own national conference in Adelaide this weekend.

Under the heading “It’s time to break free from the US”, various speakers addressed the crowd. They included US journalist and film-maker Abby Martin, currently touring with her film “The Earth’s Greatest Enemy”; Electrical Trades Union national secretary Michael Wright, who reiterated the ETU’s opposition to nuclear energy and AUKUS; NSW South Coast Labour Council secretary Arthur Rorris, who explained US plans to turn Pt Kembla into a major US naval base; lifetime CFMEU SA Branch member Allen Harris, who began by expressing solidarity with the ETU’s current battle with BHP, and spoke of all the social initiatives that could be supported with the billions wasted on AUKUS; and Labor Against War’s Marcus Strom who condemned AUKUS and spoke of ALP members’ opposition to it.

The picket at the ALP National Conference comes a week after a series of excellent submissions to the Adelaide Hearing of the Public Inquiry into AUKUS. All submissions can be found by scrolling down on the Inquiry home page here: AUKUS Public Inquiry

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