Support for Gaza and Palestine - CSIRO Staff Association

CPSU has consistently supported the Australian Council of Trade Union statements calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the conflict. On 11 June, CPSU Governing Council endorsed the latest statement from the ACTU (see below) about the ongoing humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians in Gaza and the escalating conflict.

The Australian union movement is a movement of peace and respect for all races and nationalities, and opposes war, racism and oppression. We act in solidarity with this position.

CSIRO Staff Association, as a section of CPSU, supports the participation of members in events which are consistent with the values and sentiments expressed by the ACTU statement and as endorsed by Governing Council.

Nationwide March for Palestine – Sunday 12 October 2025

All times listed are local. This list of event details will be updated regularly. Email csstaff@cpsu.org.au for more information.

Perth – 12pm Sunday 24 August. Main rally location Forrest Place. Union members will be participating, meeting point TBC. Look for the CPSU flags.
Brisbane – 1pm Sunday 24 August. Main rally location Queens Garden. Union members will be participating, meeting point TBC. Look for the CPSU flags.
Sydney – 1pm Sunday 24 August. Main rally location Hyde Park. Union members will be participating, meeting point TBC. Look for the CPSU flags.
Canberra – 12pm Sunday 24 August. Main rally location Civic Square. Union members will be participating, meeting point TBC. Look for the CPSU flags.
Melbourne – 12pm Sunday 24 August. Main rally location State Library. Union members will be participating, meeting point TBC. Look for the CPSU flags.
Hobart – 11am Sunday 24 August. Main rally location Franklin Square. Union members will be participating, meeting point TBC. Look for the CPSU flags.
Adelaide – 2pm Sunday 24 August. Main rally location Victoria Square. Union members will be participating, meeting point TBC. Look for the CPSU flags.
Darwin – 4.30pm Sunday 24 August. Main rally location Nightcliff Foreshore. Union members will be participating, meeting point TBC. Look for the CPSU flags.

Useful resources

Political campaigning – CPSU Know your Rights factsheet

ACTU statement on Gaza

Media statement, 23 May 2025

The Australian Union movement is a movement of peace and solidarity. We continue to be horrified by the humanitarian catastrophe facing Palestinians in Gaza. The ACTU reiterates our previous statements and resolutions of October 2023, February and April 2024. The Australian Union movement condemns the Israeli Government’s blockade since 2 March on humanitarian aid, including food, entering Gaza, putting more than two million Palestinians at critical risk of mass starvation. The Israeli Government has sought to shut down the existing aid and distribution system run by the United Nations and humanitarian partners, and establish its own delivery mechanisms by the Israeli military, contravening fundamental humanitarian principles, and meaning large parts of Gaza will go without supplies.

The Australian Union movement strongly opposes the escalation of Israeli military operations in Gaza, with the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) launching ground forces into northern and southern Gaza and the intensification of air strikes, following the announcement of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu that Israel had approved plans to seize control of the Gaza Strip and forcibly move hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

The ACTU condemns the use of starvation as a weapon of war and urges Israel to comply with the International Court of Justice’s Order to take immediate steps to prevent acts of genocide, punish incitement to genocide, and facilitate the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza. Israel must immediately provide food and essentials to people in Gaza and ensure unimpeded access for humanitarian aid.

We stand in solidarity with workers such as health workers who are both dealing with the immediate risk to their own health and safety and of caring for those injured, dying and facing starvation.

We continue to call for the immediate release of all remaining Israeli hostages by Hamas and condemn their abuses of human rights.

The ACTU calls on the Australian Government to take immediate steps to secure peace and compliance with international law by:

Using all influence, pressure, and diplomatic measures – including the use of targeted sanctions – to achieve a permanent ceasefire and pressure the Israeli Government to stop its military operations in Gaza, immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, respect international law and Palestinian’s human rights
Coordinating with the United Nations, humanitarian organisations, and the international community to support the deployment of a humanitarian convoy to Gaza, and support the immediate, unhindered and safe passage of humanitarian aid.
Ending all military trade (including parts and components) with Israel, and working with other governments to ensure that Australian exports are not contributing to breaches of international law
Supporting international efforts to prosecute violations of international law.
Establishing emergency humanitarian visa pathways and fast-track all pending visa applications for Palestinians fleeing Gaza.
Recognising the State of Palestine

The ACTU calls for an end to the occupation of Palestine and a just and sustainable peace in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, including the removal of illegal settlements, the withdrawal of Israel from all Palestinian lands along with the dismantling of the separation wall. In line with the ACTU’s commitment to a two-state solution with the security of borders for both nations, we call on all countries to recognise, without delay, Palestine as a sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital. This will confirm the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination in a free and independent Palestine.

Implementing a two-state solution is the path to lasting peace, safety and security for both the peoples of Israel and Palestine.

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CPSU Governing Council

Out of session vote, endorsed 11 June 2025

The CPSU has consistently supported the ACTU’s statements calling for a ceasefire and an end to the conflict. Governing Council endorses the latest statement (above) from the ACTU about the ongoing humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians in Gaza and the escalating conflict.

The Australian union movement is a movement of peace and respect for all races and nationalities, and opposes war, racism and oppression. We act in solidarity with this position.

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Past events – Sunday 24 August 2025

All times listed are local. This list of event details will be updated regularly.

Perth – 12pm Sunday 24 August. Main rally location Forrest Place. Union members will be participating, meeting point TBC. Look for the CPSU flags.
Brisbane – 1pm Sunday 24 August. Meet at the Pineapple Hotel in East Brisbane, look for the CPSU flags.
Sydney – 1pm Sunday 24 August. Main rally location Hyde Park. Union members will be participating, meeting point TBC. Look for the CPSU flags.
Canberra – 12pm Sunday 24 August. Main rally location Civic Square. CPSU meeting point TBC, look for the flags.
Melbourne – 12pm Sunday 24 August. Main rally location State Library. Union members BBQ 11am at Victoria Trades Hall, look for the CPSU flags.
Hobart – 11am Sunday 24 August. Meet TAC (cnr Elizabeth and Patrick) for march to Franklin Square. CPSU rally point TBC, look for the flags.
Adelaide – 2pm Sunday 24 August. Main rally location Victoria Square. Union members will be participating, meeting point TBC. Look for the CPSU flags.