US Consulate rejects anti-AUKUS letter from Activists

by Samuel Lefoe

Published October 06, 2026

On 20 September, the No AUKUS Coalition Victoria held a National Day of Action against AUKUS, rallying outside the US Consulate on St Kilda Road.

Event organiser Constantine Pakavakis said protesters chose the site to take their message directly to US officials.

“We chose the US Consulate for a very specific reason. If we had been somewhere else, we doubt whether or not they would even have taken any notice,” Pakavakis said.

For Pakavakis, the National Day of Action was about showing that opposition to AUKUS extends beyond a single rally.

“We want them to see that there are Australia-wide protests about this. We don’t love AUKUS. That’s the message.”

The rally gathers out the front of the USA Consulate PHOTO: Sam Lefoe

The empty chair at PEN International demonstrations symbolises a writer who cannot attend because they have been imprisoned or killed for peacefully exercising their freedom of expression PHOTO: Sam Lefoe

Constantine Pakavakis speaking at the rally PHOTO: Sam Lefoe

Protesters also tried to deliver an open letter to US Consul General Colin Crosby.

“They refused to let us in. They refused to accept it," Pakavakis said.

The letter called for Australia to withdraw from AUKUS, end the Force Posture Agreement and end the Australia–US military alliance. It argued the arrangements weaken Australian sovereignty and create secrecy around the potential presence of nuclear weapons on US military assets visiting Australia.

The open letter sent to the US Consulate General PHOTO: Supplied

Pakavakis said organisers later sent the letter by registered post.

According to the Australian Department of Defence, the US military presence in Australia has expanded under the Australia–US Force Posture Initiatives. This includes US Marines rotating through northern Australia, increased air cooperation and upgrades to Australian military facilities.

Protesters blocking the road to the US Consulate PHOTO: Sam Lefoe

Former deputy ambassador to China John Lander spoke at the rally, publicly criticising AUKUS and the growing United States military presence in the region.

“The United States are not here for the defence of Australia, but for their own geopolitical agenda,” Lander said.

John Lander speaking at the rally PHOTO: Sam Lefoe

Lander also rejected portrayals of China as an inevitable military threat to Australia.

“Australia must not be tricked into fearing the imaginary bogeyman created by the US,” Lander said.

“Australia should be a friend to all and an enemy to none”.

Dr Margie Beavis from the Medical Association for Prevention of War also raised concerns about the nuclear risks associated with Australia's growing military ties with the United States.

“Australia is already a target,” Beavis said.

During Senate Estimates in February 2023, Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty said Successive Australian governments have understood and respected the longstanding US policy of neither confirming nor denying the presence of nuclear weapons on particular platforms.

For Beavis, that uncertainty was itself a reason for greater transparency.

“We have the right to know if we are hosting nuclear weapons and the right to say no.”