Menu
Log in
Forgot password


CJU Public Statement on Manufacturing for 'Defence' - otherwise known as weapons and war.

28 May 2026 08:39 | Anonymous member (Administrator)

A simple image with CJU branding, a yellow background and a red band to highlight the header text. There is also an image of a wetland area from the Collie region. The header says "Manufacturing for 'defence' otherwise known as weapons and war". Further text says "The Cook Government wants to turn Collie into a weapons manufacturing hub. This announcement has significant impact on the lives of people in Collie and was done without any informed consent or community endorsement. The Cook Government are again making it clear where their priorities lie. This is not in line with what the people of Collie have been working towards. A link to the announcement is available in the comments along with a public statement from Collie locals."

Manufacturing for 'Defence' - otherwise known as weapons and war.

The Cook Government has again made an announcement that has significant impacts on the lives of people in Collie without any informed consent or community endorsement.
And do they share the 'announcement' in the community of Collie, where they say they want to create jobs and a future for the town? Of course not - they attend a 'defence and weapons' conference and speak to the private industries that want to make billions from death and warfare*.

The Cook Government are again making it clear where their priorities lie.
Not only are they working on behalf of the gas industry (which poses a direct threat to safety and global security through increased climate impacts), they are now selling WA (and the critical minerals within Boodja) to the international weapons industry.
The Collie community have been working on what they want from a transition away from Coal for decades.

We have been supporting that work and CJU members in the town have been leading that work since 2019.

You can read more about our work in Collie here.

If you haven't read our "A Just Transition for Collie that leave no one behind" report, it's available here.

A simple image in CJU brand colours, a yellow background and an image of WA Premier Roger Cook at an 'defence' industry conference. There are text boxes with the following statements: "The annoucnement occurred in a 'defence and weapons' conference with Cook speaking to the private industries that want to make billions from death and warfare." "Not only are the government working on behalf of the gas industry (which poses a direct threat to our safety and global security through increased climate impacts), they are now selling WA (and the critical minerals within Boodja) to the international weapons industry.

An image in CJU branding with a yellow background, and two photos of Climate Justice Union members in the community in Collie - one is an outdoor stall with CJU branding, the other is a community-hall style room with many members of the public in attendance. These photos have reddish outlines around them. There is a text box saying "The Collie community have been working on a just transition away from coal for decades. CJU members have been leading and supporting this work since 2019."

An image in CJU branding with a yellow background, and a reddish-coloured horizontal box to indicate a heading, followed by a light-yellow coloured area for body text.. The heading says "There are so many other industries the community would benefit from. Imagine what could be invested in as Collie transitions from coal". The body text says: " We could be manufacturing climate resilient modular housing to increase the supply of social housing across WA - designed by communities and fit for the climates they live in. What about food processing to support food security and increase value for South West Food suppliers? Establishing 'Made in Collie' community batteries, on the back of trailers to be distributed into communities enabling affordable and secure power in times of crisis. A huge build out of parts for EV Haul trucks, electric locomotives and electric farming equipment to support the electrification of farming, the existing mining industry and other major industry."

There are so many industries the community would benefit from (including secure union jobs in well paying work).

Imagine what could be invested in as Collie transitions from coal:

  • We could be manufacturing climate resilient modular housing to increase the supply of social housing - designed by communities and fit for the climates they live in.

  • What about food processing to support food security in WA and increase value for South West Food suppliers.

  • Establishing 'Made in Collie' community batteries, on the back of trailers to be distributed into communities enabling affordable and secure power in times of crisis.

  • A huge build out of parts for EV Haul trucks, electric locomotives and electric farming equipment to support the electrification of farming, the existing mining industry and other major industry.

An image in CJU branding with a yellow background, and a picture of a river from the Collie region. There is text at top of page over light-yellow background:That’s not to mention that we know there are more jobs in education, child care, social services and health than in heavy industry - where is the investment in those industries locally in Collie? The is also bold text of light-yellow background, slight further down the page sitting partially atop the photo: "The community are crying out for local services to support their community to live good lives." The heading text over red background sits slightly atop the photo and stretches to near the bottom of page: "There are so many things that could be built and created in Collie to make our world better and support the community locally. Weapons and war are not amongst them."

And of course we know there are more jobs in education, child care, social services and health than heavy industry - where is the investment in those industries locally in Collie?

The community are crying out for local services to support their community to live good lives. 
There are so many things that could be built and created in Collie to make our world better and support the community locally.

Weapons and war are not amongst them.

An image in CJU branding with a yellow background, and a reddish-coloured horizontal box to indicate a heading, followed by a light-yellow coloured area for body text.. The heading says "Make no mistake - the community will fight this. just like they did with Dutton's Nuclear proposals." The body text says "Our members in Collie and other locals are sick and tired of their home town being used as a political football. They don't want 'announcements', they want to be heard and for the Government to act on their concerns. If the defence industry (and Cook) really want to start addressing global insecurity they can start with the two links in the comments below. " There is also a text box saying "Don’t do anything on Wilman Kaneang Boodja without our Free, Prior, Informed and Continuing Consent. -Wilman Kaneang Traditional Custodians" and a disclaimer which says: "This statement is on behalf of Climate Justice Union and Collie community members (including local Elders) who are working together towards a Just Transition that Leaves No-one Behind. "

Make no mistake - the community will fight this - just like they did with Dutton's Nuclear proposals.

Our members in Collie and other locals are sick and tired of their home town being used as a political football. They don't want 'announcements', they want to be heard and for the Government to act on their concerns.

*And if the defence industry (and Cook) really want to start addressing global insecurity they can start here and listen to these folks.

This statement is on behalf of:

Climate Justice Union and Collie community members (including Wilman and Kaneang Elders) who are working together towards a Just Transition that Leaves No-one Behind.

For further information contact call Jaime on 0406 722 066 or email jaime.yf@climatejusticeunion.org


Email:  admin@climatejusticeunion.org
Call: +61406722066

ABN: 23767498078

Follow us on Facebook and X

We acknowledge that we begin our work as The Climate Justice Union on the Boodja (land) of the Wadjuk people of the Noongar Nation. We honour the Wadjuk people and their kin in other Nations and Country across these lands and waters, who have always cared for this place and all who lived here.

We acknowledge First Nations Elders past and present, and acknowledge that those of us living here, who came from across the seas, live on land that was taken, stolen. We acknowledge the responsibility that comes with this understanding and that we personally and collectively benefit from this theft.

As such, we all have a responsibility to decolonise ourselves, our lives and work, and to heal the harm these oppressive systems have inflicted.

Click here to read our full acknowledgements

We are a community union and do not cover you in your workplace. All Climate Justice Union members are also encouraged to join the relevant industrial union. Click here to find your industrial Union.


Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software