Land Warfare Conference Welcoming Committee

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October 29, 2008

Protests and Peace Gala to ‘Welcome’ the Land Warfare Conference

“River city to host conference on the best ways to make a killing”

Peace vigils daily Mon Oct 27- Oct 31 from 8am

Gala peace action Weds Oct 29 from 4pm

Outside the Brisbane Convention Centre

cnr Glenelg & Merivale Sts South Brisbane

Today arms dealers, army chiefs and academics gathered to begin a week of discussion on the science and business of killing people for profit. The Land Warfare Conference is being held from 27th to the 31^st October at Brisbane’s Convention Centre and will see some of the world’s most powerful military manufacturers exhibiting their wares at the taxpayers’ expense.

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Formerly an annual planning event involving exclusively Defence Force and government personnel, the Land Warfare Conference has been opened up to allow private sector participation.

Respected peace and anti-nuclear activist and member of the Land Warfare Welcoming Committee, Robin Taubenfeld said, “The Australian government spends an estimated $60 million dollars a day on the military (or over $17.9 billion per year (2006 budget) - with other expenses hidden in the form of aid, etc) and this is set to increase. Not only the federal government but also the governments of Qld, Vic, SA, and NT fund this conference. Our governments should be putting money in social welfare, health, education, the environment - investing in peace and sustainability - not the war machine. At a time when most Australians are finding it harder to make ends meet it is an outrage that our state and federal governments are spending money to put on an event at which some of the wealthiest and most lethal corporations on the planet can exhibit their killing machines.”

”This Land Warfare Conference is not about the defence of Australia. Raytheon, Boeing, BAE and other corporations that profit from war will be exhibiting/participating. Peace is not on the agenda at this conference - its purpose is to perpetuate the industry of war. Australia's military support for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are clear indicators that Australia is willing to follow the US down the path of military madness despite overwhelming opposition from its citizens and increasing awareness that these actions increase instability, insecurity and tension at home and overseas,” Taubenfeld said.

The Land Warfare Conference Welcoming Committee will stage protests in opposition to the conference. Every morning of the week a vigil will gather at 8am and on Wed 29^th, from 4pm, a lively Counter-Gala protest will be held to coincide with, confront and ridicule the cheese, wine and weapons Gala being held inside the conference.

For more information contact: Hamish Chitts t) 0401 586 923, Robin Taubenfeld t) 0411 118 737 or

Dr David Eden t) 0423 961 679

Email lwcwelcoming@gmail.com or visit www.landwarfareconference2008.blogspot.com