Chris Minns – pepper spray for peace protestors one day, lunch at war-crimes-lobby the next

Chris Minns’ police used pepper spray on hundreds of peace protesters yesterday. Today the Prime Minister is the ticket holder for an Israeli business lobby luncheon linked to the genocide in Gaza. Wendy Bacon reports.

NSW Police fired hundreds of pepper sprays into protesters against the government’s sponsorship of the Defense Fair, where Israel’s biggest arms companies showcase their products. It was an event that Defense Minister Richard Marles described as “beautiful, menacing and extremely cool”.

As well as the 12 people arrested, scores of other peaceful protesters were also disabled for up to half an hour by NSW riot police, who both deliberately targeted some people and randomly sprayed the crowd. Mounted police and dog teams also increased the threat.

But expressing ‘pride’ and ‘pleasure’ welcoming companies It’s not enough for the NSW Premier to have companies such as Israeli arms manufacturers Elbit Systems and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems attending the three-day Indo-Pacific Arms Expo.

Defying criticism from his own Labor Party, international law and human rights experts, the Greens, the City of Sydney and wider society, Minns went a step further. Today it will happen Addressing the NSW Australian Israel Chamber of Commerce (AICC).

The AICC has deep ties to companies involved in the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, is backed by leading Australian companies such as ANZ and Optus, and is chaired by controversial antisemitism Special Envoy Jillian Seagal.

ANZ boss Shayne Elliott challenged over Israel lobby and human rights

As he has made clear this week, the Prime Minister’s economic priorities include encouraging the activities of the arms industry, even as its companies actively profit from Israel’s genocide in Gaza and other horrific war crimes.

While the mainstream press remains silent on the Prime Minister’s activities, discontent is growing on social media. Eighteen months ago Zomi Frankcom Killed by a missile made by RafaelSocial media poster Ben McKelvey at

Secret Israel lobby activity

MWM He wanted to report on Minns’ Business Briefing, in which he promised to update AICC supporters on “the New South Wales government’s key economic and social policy agenda for 2026”. However, NSW AICC Deputy CEO Lee Kelly said the location of the Prime Minister’s speech would not be disclosed for ‘security reasons’.

It is expected to find enthusiastic support from those who choose to pay $350 for a seat or $3,500 for a group booking.

kelly said MWM He said everyone knew the NSW government’s priorities and that the Premier would make a speech “immediately”, meaning there would be no formal speech. He said he expected the Prime Minister to provide an “update” on where his priorities were and then “there will be a Q&A”.

The Premier’s office instructed the NSW AICC not to invite the media. He will “bring his own media,” including a photographer.

The exclusive business briefing is sponsored by law firm Gilbert and Tobin and the Scentre shopping centers group, whose chief executive is Peter Allen. Victor Chang is on the Board of Directors of the Cardiac Research Institute He continues to prevent star researcher Peter Macdonald from working in his laboratory.

Heartless. Victor Chang Cardiac Institute and Israel lobby

Minns has tended to lecture others on social harmony while suppressing the right to peaceful protest, one of his priorities.

But it is hard to think of anything more divisive than speaking at an event sponsored by the Israeli Embassy on the day Judge Navi Pillay is due to speak. Sydney Peace Prize Address at Sydney Town Hall.

As Pillay told the National Press Club on Tuesday, “Under the Genocide Convention, every state Has a legal obligation to prevent the commission of genocideto deal with the commission of genocide and to protect against genocide.” He warned that the Australian government’s continued ties to organizations complicit in genocide could leave the matter open to prosecution.”

No doubt Minns, who enjoys hospitality wherever the luxury corporate office hosts tomorrow’s private event, won’t be pressed on awkward topics like genocide.

MWM sent questions to the Prime Minister’s office but we did not receive a response.

Investigation: Elite Australian business group cashes in on Israeli war machine