Greens MP Sarah Mansfield says $917m deal with Israeli defence manufacturer is ‘the last thing Geelong wants’

An MP and former Geelong councillor has slammed a massive deal between an Israeli company and an Avalon-based defence company, saying it is “the last thing Geelong needs”.

Greens MP and former Geelong councillor Sarah Mansfield. Picture: Alison Wynd.

A $900m-plus contract that will see products from an Israeli defence manufacturer included in the build of armoured vehicles at Avalon has raised the ire of Geelong-based Greens MP Sarah Mansfield.

Elbit Systems released a statement this week confirming it had been awarded a $917m contract to supply turrets to Korean company Hanwha for the construction of 129 Redback infantry fighting vehicles at its soon to be completed base at Avalon.

Ms Mansfield, a former Geelong councillor, said the deal was a slap in the face to the many locals who supported the Palestinian people in Gaza.

“People in Geelong want peace, not more weapons,” she said.

“Another huge weapons maker being funded by taxpayers and profiting from war is the last thing Geelong needs.”

Hanwha was last year awarded the multibillion-dollar contract by the federal government to deliver the Redbacks, beating out Germany’s Rheinmetall.

It is understood that while Elbit’s contract is with Hanwha directly, the Defence Department would have to give its approval.

Ms Mansfield said many people in the Geelong region, including the local Muslim community, felt betrayed by Labor at both a federal and state level.

“They see deals with arms manufacturers involved in the invasion of Gaza as a demonstration of Labor’s indifference to their suffering,” she said.

“By awarding this $917m Elbit contract in his own electorate, Richard Marles has abandoned Geelong Palestinians who are suffering deeply right now, as well as all those in our community advocating for peace and an end to the unfolding genocide in Gaza.”

A spokeswoman for Defence Minister Richard Marles, whose Corio electorate takes in Avalon, did not respond directly to Ms Mansfield’s comments.

Instead, the benefits to the region of having Hanwha based locally were highlighted.

“The manufacture of 129 infantry fighting vehicles in Geelong represents a major manufacturing opportunity for the region and other centres of Australian manufacturing, which will support almost 2000 direct jobs,” she said.

“This project is yet another example of the Albanese government’s commitment to investing in Australian defence industry so we can make the critical defence equipment we need in this country and develop our sovereign capability.”

Hanwha Defence Australia managing director Richard Cho.

Mr Marles’ Geelong office has repeatedly been targeted by pro-Palestinian activists since the war begun in October.

Elbit president Butzi Machlis said the contract reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering “mission-critical solutions” to the Australian Army.

“Elbit Systems is dedicated to supplying cutting-edge defence technologies that will safeguard troops on the modern battlefield,” he said.

Elbit’s technology was removed from Australian defence equipment three years ago over possible data security concerns, the ABC reported.

Originally published as Greens MP Sarah Mansfield says $917m deal with Israeli defence manufacturer is ‘the last thing Geelong wants’