Queensland money paying for genocidal war
In January 2024, the ICJ found that there was an irreparable risk of genocidal harm to Palestinians by Israel and has since issued multiple orders that Israel has disregarded.
In July 2024, the International Court of Justice declared that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories is unlawful.
The ICJ said that all nations were obligated to cease any aid or assistance contributing to Israel’s presence in Palestinian territories, including Gaza and the West Bank.
Despite this, neither the federal nor state governments have taken any action to ensure that we also are not aiding and assisting the occupation or the genocide.
It’s hard to imagine any country indiscriminately bombing and starving a population caged in a territory where half are children. But Israel has done this to Gaza for 12 months.
Israel has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians. The real death toll is likely much higher, as Israel’s destruction of hospitals and civilian buildings hampers efforts to count the dead.
Roughly 70 percent of those killed so far are women and children.
Israel has bombed and destroyed nearly all hospitals.
International rescuers and media cannot enter due to Israeli restrictions.
This situation arises when countries face no consequences for breaking international law.
Governments must uphold international law by applying trade penalties.
The Queensland government has taken no action or due diligence to investigate whether weapons companies receiving government funds here in Queensland are exporting weapons bound for Gaza.
For voters in the Queensland state election who are told, “Gaza is a federal issue, stop raising it at the state level”:
State governments have international legal obligations, especially when they financially support defense companies that may be complicit in genocide and atrocities.
The Queensland Government, along with the Australian Government, has neglected these responsibilities and abandoned international law.
Lack of Due Diligence on Rheinmetall Queensland
In late 2022, the Queensland Government provided support for a $60 million Rheinmetall Nioa Munitions shell forging and manufacturing facility in Maryborough, which now produces approximately 3,000 155mm projectiles monthly for export to Germany.
Germany maintains a stockpile of 155mm munitions.
From 2019 to 2023, Germany was Israel’s second-largest arms exporter, providing 30% of its imports.
In October 2023, Germany began discussions about supplying ammunition for Israeli ships.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed ongoing arms exports to Israel and established a working group to expedite these supplies.
Nicaragua has initiated legal action against Germany for alleged complicity in genocide in Gaza.
Ongoing Support for Ferra Engineering
Ferra Engineering is the sole supplier of AME Weapons Adapters for Lockheed Martin’s F-35.
The Israeli Defense Force uses F-35s equipped with Ferra's adapters to deploy JDAM bombs in Gaza.
Queensland’s funding has positioned Ferra as a significant contributor to the global arms trade, directly supporting the bombing of Gaza.
The company has been operational since 1992, expanding internationally and partnering with major defence manufacturers.
Ferra produces over 100 components for the F-35.
Most of Ferra’s products are exported, primarily to the U.S. for assembly and onward shipment to Israel. The U.S supplies the majority of Israel’s military requirements.
