Submission to AUKUS Public Inquiry – concern about AUKUS Command unit within the Federal Police -Suzanne Pinchen

the function of this unit will be to protect AUKUS related activities and facilities, including public order responsibilities.

this unit will be supplied with
firearms, and, what are referred to as, “crowd suppression munitions” including rubber bullets, tear gas and capsicum spray.

Question for Inquiry:
I am a grandmother of two identical twin boys aged 3 1⁄2, for whom AUKUS
will have real consequence. I am also retired after working in
Broadmeadows as a Social Worker working with women and their families
for 40 years. I am now a chorister – part of a choir which became the
unofficial choir for the Yes to the Voice to the Parliament Referendum in
Melbourne and a member of both the Australian Living Peace Museum
and Labor Against War.

The issue I would like to address is one I have already raised in person at
an electorate meeting with my local MP, Peter Khalil, Assistant Minister for
Defence. At this meeting Mr. Khalil advised that he was unable to answer
my question but requested that I email him the question and committed
himself to a quick response, which I have not received.

It is an issue that goes to the impact of AUKUS on internal relations
between agencies in Australia and its consequence for public expression
of concern raised by Australia’s binding relationship with the US. Now,
having not received an answer or acknowledgment of the email, I now
raise the issue with the Public Inquiry Commissioners in the hope that you
may be able to examine the issue.

You may be aware that there have been reports in the ABC, the Australian
and the Guardian gathered through FOI requests regarding the
establishment of an AUKUS Command as a unit within the Federal Police in
conjunction with the Department for Defence. These reports indicate that
the function of this unit will be to protect AUKUS related activities and
facilities, including public order responsibilities.

In addition, it has also been to reported that this unit will be supplied with
firearms, and, what are referred to as, “crowd suppression munitions”
including rubber bullets, tear gas and capsicum spray.
In particular, could the Inquiry please examine the impact of the
establishment of an AUKUS Command may have on the legitimate
expression of community dissent in Australia; both in areas surrounding
defence installations and other general venues.

Antinuclear