The Albanese Labor Government’s $2 billion “Global Supply Chain program” includes five companies supplying Israel’s military and subject to UN warnings for serious human rights violations, including Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Boeing, Rheinmetall and Northrop Grumman.
The Albanese Government says it is committed to driving global export opportunities for Australian defence industry and boosting Australian global supply chains, but has steered away from questions about direct or indirect exports to Israel.
Highlighted measures includes utilising the Australian Defence Export Catalogue, as well as the Global Supply Chain program and through recent reforms to export controls.
The Albanese Government’s reforms to export controls have created an export licence-free environment with Australia’s AUKUS partners, streamlining defence trade and “unlocking billions” in investment with the United Kingdom and the United States.
While these reforms are aimed at reducing red tape and boosting defence cooperation, they have attracted criticism for potentially undermining due diligence.
Critics argue that, in light of Australia’s legal obligations to prevent genocide, the policy could enable the flow of weapons that contribute to human rights violations by Israel. Notably, the United States supplies 69% of Israel’s military needs.
Under the Albanese Government, the Global Supply Chain program has almost doubled from seven to 13 participating primes, which have collectively awarded over 2610 contracts to 283 Australian suppliers totalling over $2.07 billion.
After conducting an “extensive approach” to market, the number of participating major defence companies, known as primes, has now increased from seven to 13.
The successful companies are:
- Babcock
- BAE Systems
- Boeing
- Huntington Ingalls Industries
- Kongsberg
- L3 Harris
- Lockheed Martin
- Moog
- Northrop Grumman
- Raytheon
- Rheinmetall
- SAAB; and
- Thales.
In June 2024, the United Nations warned countries to pull away from five of these companies, but that support from the Albanese Government is only showing signs of growing.
Labor’s defence minister has been silent on the “red lines package” introduced into parliament by cross bench senators designed to put some red lines into public investment and exports. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong indicated in February that they would not support it.
Besieged Labor MP Peter Khalil has only just held onto his seat following voter disapproval on Gaza but has since been rewarded with a junior defence portfolio.
Khalil joins Richard Marles, a strong proponent of the US weapons companies buttressing Israel’s military, with Northern Territorian Luke Gosling, NSW MP Pat Conroy and WA MP Matt Keogh. Together, they make Labor’s defence team that are keen to entangle Australia’s economic future deeper with the US-UK military alliance.
Last term, Australia’s defence industry spokesperson, Pat Conroy spoke to Australia’s goal to become a major offshore manufacturer of US weapons.
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