Thread by @Jordonsteele

An invite-only drinks at Parliament House with @ElbitSystemsLtd - Israel's largest privately-owned weapons company - has been facilitated by fmr Defence Minister @cpyne, highlighting the urgent need for reforms to stop the revolving door of politicians becoming lobbyists #AusPol

They are a worldwide purveyor of drones, advanced surveillance & electronic warfare equipment including weapons considered illegal under international laws of war such as white phosphorous and cluster bombs

@ElbitSystemsLtd have no place in the halls of Australia's parliament.

Between August 2018 - May 2019 when Christopher Pyne was Defence Minister Elbit systems was awarded contracts worth roughly $89 million.

Now, barely 18 months later, he is here inside Parliament House spruiking weapons on their behalf at a secretive, invite-only event 😐

Christopher Pyne's lobbying firm - Pyne and Partners - now lists Elbit Systems as one of its major clients, a relationship that was C L E A R L Y forged when he was Defence Minister

As our Defence Minister @cpyne was paid by us to make decisions in the public interest, not to network for his own personal financial gain.

This is one of the most egregious & sickening examples of the revolving door of former politicians becoming lobbyists for their big corporate mates that I have ever seen

Elbit is a company that markets their weaponry as being 'field tested' by the Israeli Defence Force, a reference to the extensive use of Elbit Systems equipment in Palestine where they have profited from the ongoing occupation and oppression of Palestinian people 🇵🇸✊

In taking Pyne to task for this association, the @Greens join a growing international outcry.

- Norwegian Pension Fund
- Danish financial watchdog, DanWatch
- French investment firm @AXA
- Global banking giant @HSBC

All have DIVESTED from @ElbitSystemsLtd

Norwegian Minister of Finance Kristin Halvorsen was clear in his views, saying:
"
We do not wish to fund companies that so directly contribute to violations of international humanitarian law"

These are violations that @cpyne overlooks in his pursuit of personal profit😡#AusPol