Australians mobilise to Cancel AUKUS and End the US Alliance

Written by: Alice M. on 23 September 2026

On the International Day of Peace and National Day of Action people from many walks of life and organisations across the country called for scrapping AUKUS and ending the US alliance, declaring that for the ordinary people there’s No Peace without Justice.

In every state, major city, and some regional communities, rallies and events were held simultaneously over the week of 12-21 September - in  Northern Territory (Darwin and Alice Springs), WA (Rockingham), SA (Adelaide), NSW (Wollongong, Sydney and Blue Mountains),  ACT (Canberra), Tasmania (Hobart), Victoria (Melbourne, Geelong), and Qld (Brisbane).
In Naam Melbourne, more than 250 people held a lively rally outside the United States Consulate, sending a strong message to the US and its subservient Australian government to cancel AUKUS, pack their bags and leave. The rally showcased their determination to continue building and mobilising a united movement against war, end the US control of this country, and solidarity with the people’s struggles across the globe opposing US imperialism.

Rally participants and speakers came from wide range of organisations, reflecting many struggles and issues that unite people against the effects of US imperialist domination over this country and its subservient government. Public housing tenants facing evictions and demolition of their homes demanding public funds for people’s housing, not AUKUS; health workers demanding funding for underfunded public hospitals, not AUKUS and war;  Palestinian groups demand ending US-Australian support for Israel;  Environment groups calling for Earth Care not Warfare ; unionists carrying their union flags opposed to AUKUS and war, pledging their support for Peace is Union Business. The common thread running through many struggles of the people is US imperialism.

One of the speakers pointed out that the day before the rally the US flag was removed from the heavily guarded multistorey building housing the US consulate, fearing the wrath of the people.  Another speaker pointed out that the floor below the US consulate for many years was occupied by the ABCC – the draconian anti-worker Australian Building and Construction Commission.

Yaraan Couzens Bundle, a proud Gunditjmara Djabwurrun Youin Bidjera woman opened the rally with a powerful Acknowledgement.  Pointing to US consulate behind her she demanded scrapping AUKUS and to end the US occupation of Australia which is poisoning the country and her people.  She told the rally that as the Custodians of this land and continent for tens of thousands of years, the First People have the responsibility and duty to look after and protect the Country and people.

Speaker and after speaker denounced the war mongering AUKUS, the US Alliance and the servile Australian government which surrendered Australian sovereignty.  Speakers stressed that there can be no peace without real justice for the oppressed and exploited.

Speakers from various groups included PEN Writers for Peace, Free Marwan campaign (an empty chair for Marwan Baghouti), Medical Association for the Prevention of War, a retired diplomat, Free Palestine Melbourne, MUA, BAYAN, No AUKUS Coalition Vic, Anti-Militarism Action Network (AMAN), Latin America Solidarity Network, and Labor Against War.

Combined Choir for Purpose and the Riff Raff Radical Band performed lively renditions of Bella Ciao and anti-war songs.  Many joined singing new lyrics to Beatles ‘“We all live in a Yellow Submarine” - AUKUS submarines.

Towards the end, the rally was interrupted by the unexpected arrival of a nuclear submarine captained by a US Navy Admiral sent from the US to defend his country’s consulate from the pesky protesting Australians. The Admiral had lost his way because he couldn’t find the US consulate which had removed the US flag from its building. To make matters worse for the Admiral his map showed this continent empty of any life, except for wealth in natural resources ripe for exploitation and plunder by US corporations, and a strategically essential geo-political location for US military occupation in its preparation for war with China.

One speaker noted, “ AUKUS and nuclear submarines are a trojan horse for deeper US military and economic takeover of this country.  A second invasion and occupation, first started in 1788 with the British colonial genocide of the First People, 270 years ago – this time the second invasion and occupation by the US. In 1788 the First People started resistance to the occupation of this country.  They are now joined by many non-Indigenous people demanding sovereignty and justice for people of this country from US domination.”

The atmosphere at the rally was very positive. Several speakers pointed to the growing opposition to AUKUS and war in the general community, with more wanting Australia to get out of the US alliance. People want a genuinely independent Australia and a government that serves the people rather than apologists and puppets for the US global agenda.

Print Version - new window Email article

-----