8chan/8kun QResearch Posts (5)
#18960949 at 2023-06-06 14:56:37 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #23279: National Security, The Border, And Foreign Affairs Hearing Edition
Prince Harry Opens Up in Court on Claim That King Charles Is Not His Real Dad
Prince Harry says he feared British tabloid journalists wanted to prove his father was James Hewitt so he could be "ousted" from the royal family.
Harry made the remarks in a witness statement that was released Tuesday morning as he became the first senior royal to give evidence and be cross examined in open court in over 130 years.
As part of his statement, Harry detailed dozens of articles that he believes Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) obtained by illegal means, including voicemail hacking.
One of these was an article published in 2002 in the Sunday People headlined: "Plot to rob the DNA of Harry."
Harry said the article "reported a plot to steal a sample of my DNA to test my parentage" in the wake of multiple rumors that Hewitt was his father after his mother admitted to having an affair with him in her Panorama interview with Martin Bashir.
In his statement Harry said: "Numerous newspapers had reported a rumour that my biological father was James Hewitt, a man my mother had a relationship with after I was born. At the time of this article and others similar to it, I wasn't actually aware that my mother hadn't met Major Hewitt until after I was born. This timeline is something I only learnt of in around 2014, although I now understand this was common knowledge amongst the defendant's journalists.
"At the time, when I was 18 years old and had lost my mother just six years earlier, stories such as this felt very damaging and very real to me. They were hurtful, mean and cruel. I was always left questioning the motives behind the stories. Were the newspapers keen to put doubt into the minds of the public so I might be ousted from the Royal Family?"
Harry spoke about the rumors that Hewitt was his father in his memoir, Spare, writing: "There was even talk that some reporters were seeking my DNA to prove it-my first intimation that, after tormenting my mother and sending her int hiding, they would soon be coming for me."
Harry's testimony was released after he arrived at the High Court Tuesday morning. He stepped out of a black SUV in central London shortly before 10 a.m. local time.
Harry was dressed in a dark suit and said, "good morning" to waiting reporters. He is giving evidence in his case against Mirror Group Newspapers, the publishers of the British tabloid the Daily Mirror, whom he accuses of publishing stories based on illegally obtained information.
Asked how he would like to be addressed by his own lawyer, David Sherborne, as he stepped onto the stand, Harry said that on the first occasion he would like to be addressed as "Your Royal Highness" and after that as "Prince Harry."
After a brief recap of his own witness statement, cross examination was begun by MGN lawyer Andrew Green, with the process due to continue on Wednesday.
Green has been described by a prominent legal journal as "a beast in court," with Legal 500 saying he was: "A spectacular cross-examination master; his charming manner brings the judge onside and makes his evisceration of witnesses all the more devastating."
Harry had been due to attend court yesterday but didn't show up because he had been celebrating his daughter's second birthday in California, leading to a reprimand from the "surprised" judge.
In his absence, his lawyer laid out Harry's case alleging that he was the subject of systematic surveillance by reporters and investigators working for MGN, which led to the breakdown of relationships as he wrongly suspected close friends were leaking intelligence to the newspapers.
Sherborne also alleged that MGN conducted surveillance of Harry's mother Diana, leading her to become paranoid and isolated.
This morning, as he was sworn in, his witness statement was released.
Harry said in the statement, which went through 33 articles published about him by MGN, that he was effectively assigned a "role" by the papers.
more
https://www.yahoo.com/news/prince-harry-first-royal-cross-091437152.html
#16325470 at 2022-05-23 05:25:58 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #20652: I think Twitter is going down, all adds up to big trouble - PDJT Edition
>>16325410
176. Michael Andrew Grismore
US citizen
177. Alexander Green
Member of the House of Representatives from the Democratic Party (Texas)
178. Marjorie Taylor Greene
Member of the House of Representatives from the Republican Party (Georgia)
179. Mark Andrew Green
President of the International Republican Institute (until 2017), Chairman of the "W. Wilson Center"
180. Mark Edward Green
Member of the House of Representatives from the Republican Party (Tennessee)
181. Robert Harris Greenblatt
Chairman of the Board of Directors of NBC Entertainment (until 2018/19)
182. Howard Morgan Griffith
Member of the House of Representatives from the Republican Party (Virginia)
183. Preston Wells Griffith
Senior Advisor to the US Department of Energy (until April 2018)
184. Raul Manuel Grijalva
Member of the House of Representatives from the Democratic Party (Arizona)
185. Devin Louis Grome
US citizen
186. Marshall Bruce Grossman
lawyer
187. Glenn Grothman
Member of the House of Representatives from the Republican Party (Wisconsin)
188. Michael S. Groen
Head of the Intelligence Support Department of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Armed Forces (until May 2019)
189. Jerry Lee Gray II
US citizen
190. Christopher Watson Grady
Deputy Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Armed Forces
191. Patric Reilly Grady
Judge of Johnson County, Iowa
192. Charles Allan Graner
retired serviceman
193. Lindsey Olin Graham
Member of the Senate from the Republican Party (South Carolina)
194. Norvell Kay Granger
Member of the House of Representatives from the Republican Party (Texas)
195. Robert Good
Member of the House of Representatives from the Republican Party (Virginia)
196. Lance Carter Gooden
Member of the House of Representatives from the Republican Party (Texas)
197. Margaret Goodlander
Advisor to the Minister of Justice, wife of the Assistant to the President of the United States for National Security, J.Sullivan 's
198. Dmitry Yuzef Gurovich
lawyer
199. Jeffrey Darren Duncan
Member of the House of Representatives from the Republican Party (South Carolina)
200. Neal Patrick Dunn
Member of the House of Representatives from the Republican Party (Florida)
#6681480 at 2019-06-06 00:42:26 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #8544: Shills Still Crazy After All These Years Edition
>>6681133
Peter Ford looks like a DS hack.
Former UK ambassador linked to Assad lobby group
A former British ambassador to Syria who appeared on the BBC to defend the Assad regime had already become a director of a lobby group run by the dictator's father in law.
Peter Ford, 59, courted controversy this month by claiming that President Bashar al-Assad would not have carried out the chemical gas attack on his own people.
Now the Telegraph can reveal that just weeks before the April 4 attack Mr Ford had become a director of the controversial British Syrian Society.
This was founded by Fawaz Akhras, a London-based cardiologist whose daughter Asma is married to President Assad, and is closely linked to the regime, frequently accused of acting as its mouthpiece in the west.
According to documents filed at Companies House, Mr Ford - who has been accused of supporting the Syrian regime in the past - was appointed a director of the society on February 28 this year.
Following the chemical attack in Idlib province, which killed more than 70 people and subsequently led to retaliatory US air strikes on a regime air base, Mr Ford appeared on the BBC casting doubt on whether Assad was responsible.
The former ambassador, who served in Damascus from 2003 to 2006, said it was out of character for the Syrian president to provoke President Trump, just as Washington was taking a softer line compared to Barack Obama's policies on Syria.
He said: "Assad may be cruel, brutal, but he is not mad. It defies belief that he would bring all this on his head. For no military advantage. The site that was hit had no military significance. It made absolutely no sense. It would have angered the Russians for no other reason: it was simply not plausible."
Last year Mr Ford wrongly blamed opposition forces for an attack on a UN aid convoy when an investigation proved it was either Russian or Syrian Government aircraft.
The British Syrian Society's accounts do not show whether Mr Forde receives any payment or remuneration for his role.
However, the society has been mired in controversy in recent years over its role in providing support for President Assad, with a string of senior British figures resigning from its board.
It was accused last year of running a propaganda event in Damascus which was supported by Syrian government officials.
In 2012 Sir Andrew Green, another former British ambassador to Syria and then co-chairman of the society, quit after emails showed Dr Akhras had advised Assad on how to rebut evidence of civilians apparently being tortured.
Dr Akhras used a private email channel to the Syrian leader to offer advice on how the regime should handle criticism of its suppression of the opposition uprising, including how to counter video footage appearing to show the torture of children.
Other resignations included the society's treasurer, Brian Constant and Sir Gavyn Arthur, a former Lord Mayor of London.
Sir Andrew said at the time: "This is all very sad. The BSS has done a lot of useful work but it's very hard to see how it can continue. In the light of the recent revelations, the five British board members have decided to resign."
In an earlier blow to the BSS, in September 2011, the HSBC bank said it would no longer represent the society.
Dr Akhras, a Harley street cardiologist who divides his time between London and Damascus, faced embarrassment over the 2012 leaked emails, which showed he was advising President Assad on how to handle the Syrian crisis.
The emails also appeared to showed that at the same time as violence raged across the country, his daughter Asma was shopping online for luxury goods, including art, furnishings and jewellery.
President Assad made his first public statement on the chemical attack last week, when he tried to deny involvement, despite mounting evidence linking government forces to the attack.
A statement on the BSS website says: "The British Syrian Society is saddened and appalled at the violence and loss of life in Syria. Our thoughts and wishes go out to all our friends in Syria and we dearly hope for an end to the troubles that have overcome Syria since March 2011.
#6357431 at 2019-04-29 13:06:56 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #8129: Sarah Steals the Show Edition
Zinc association names new leader
Andrew Green named executive director of International Zinc Association.
SUBSCRIBE
This link from pic… stories connected?https://www.cbsnews.com/news/american-zinc-fire-people-flee-airborne-acid-mooresboro-north-carolina-plant-burns-today-2019-04-29/
April 23, 2019
Andrew Green has been named as the new executive director of Durham, North Carolina-based International Zinc Association (IZA). Green previously served as the IZA's director of environment and sustainable development. The announcement was made by Rodrigo Daud, CEO of American Zinc Recycling and chair of the IZA., which also has offices in Brussels, Shanghai and New Delhi.
"Daud says the promotion follows an extensive global search of potential candidates led by IZA's executive committee, in collaboration with an executive search firm. Daud said the broad support for Green's selection from committee members was based on his experience and proven leadership.
"We have been working on succession planning for a while inside IZA, in different positions, and Andrew's promotion shows that we are on the right path," says Daud. "We look forward to working with Andrew on the opportunities and challenges facing the zinc industry going forward."
In addition to his sustainability post at the IZA, Green also has been serving as the director of the Zinc Nutrient Initiative, a zinc fertilizer market development program. He has also been involved in the organization of IZA conference, including the Zinc Metal Roundtable and the International Zinc Conference.
Prior to joining IZA, Green worked for the United States Army Corps of Engineers and also was a research assistant professor at the University of South Carolina. He succeeds Stephen Wilkinson, who will retire and has served as the IZA Executive Director since 2004. "Stephen did amazing work during his tenure with IZA, bringing the association to the level it is today and becoming a benchmark for other associations," states Daud."
http://www.recyclingtoday.com/article/zinc-association-Andrew-Green-promotion/
#957283 at 2018-04-08 23:18:39 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #1191 Closing the Gap
Current USAID boss = Mark Andrew Green, appointed by Trump.
Previous was, Gayle Smith, who is currently president and CEO of the ONE Campaign.
ONE Campaign
ONE Campaign.svg
Formation May 16, 2004
Type Development advocacy
Headquarters Washington, D.C.
Location
United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium, South Africa, Canada, Nigeria
Membership
Over 9 million
Official language
English, French, German, Dutch
Leader Gayle Smith, President and CEO since 2017
Key people
Bono (co-founder, spokesperson)
Revenue (2015)
$50 million[1]
Website www.one.org
The ONE Campaign is an international, nonpartisan, non-profit, advocacy and campaigning organization that fights extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa, by raising public awareness and pressuring political leaders to support policies and programs that are saving lives and improving futures.[2]
In 2015, ONE raised $50 million.[1]
ONE was founded in 2004 by a coalition of 11 non-profit humanitarian and advocacy organizations, including DATA, CARE, World Vision, Oxfam America, and Bread for the World, with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In 2007, ONE announced that it would be merging with DATA.
It is a membership organization of nearly 9 million people worldwide.[3]
DATA was, a multinational non-government organization founded in January 2002 in London by U2's Bono along with Bobby Shriver and activists from the Jubilee 2000 Drop the Debt campaign.
DATA was created for the purposes of obtaining equality and justice for Africa through debt relief, adjusting trade rules which burden Africa, eliminating the epidemic of AIDS in Africa, strengthening democracy, furthering accountability by the wealthiest nations and African leaders, and transparency towards the people. In 2007, in the United States, DATA and Bono were jointly awarded the National Constitution Center's 2007 Liberty Medal for their groundbreaking efforts to address the AIDS crisis and extreme poverty in Africa.
Start-up funds came from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, financier George Soros, and technology entrepreneur Edward W. Scott.[1]
In 2007, DATA and the ONE Campaign decided to join forces, and, in January 2008, they formally merged under the name ONE.[2]
DATA received support from the Christian rock / alternative rock bands Switchfoot and Third Day.
Looks like Bill and Melinda Gates are in heavy. Sure seems like a great way to launder money and move it around in plain sight.
https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Andrew_Green
https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gayle_Smith
https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ONE_Campaign
https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DATA
8chan/8kun QResearch AUSTRALIA Posts (80)
#20488534 at 2024-02-28 08:21:12 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #34: UNITED AGAINST THE INVISIBLE ENEMY OF ALL HUMANITY Edition
>>20098526
Controversial Israeli weapons company awarded $917 million Australian army contract
Andrew Greene - 28 February 2024
An Israeli company whose technology was stripped from Australian Army equipment over possible data security concerns three years ago has been awarded a fresh defence contract worth $917 million.
Elbit Systems has confirmed it will provide "advanced protection, fighting capabilities and sensors" for new Korean-designed Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) being constructed in the Victorian electorate of Defence Minister Richard Marles.
In July last year, South Korean company Hanwha clinched the approximately $10 billion LAND 400 Phase 3 Project to deliver 129 of its Redback IFVs to the Army, beating a rival bid from German company Rheinmetall.
Originally Hanwha had partnered with Canberra-based defence company Electro Optic Systems (EOS) to produce a high-tech turret for its IFV, but the arrangement was broken off in favour of a joint venture struck with Elbit Systems in June 2022.
In a statement issued from its headquarters in the city of Haifa, Elbit Systems stated it had been "awarded a contract worth approximately $600 million [in US dollars, or $917 million] to supply systems to Hanwha Defence Australia for the Australian LAND 400 Phase 3 Project".
"This project aims to deliver advanced protection, fighting capabilities and sensors suite to the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) for the Australian Army", the company said, while revealing the contract would be performed "over a period of five years".
"This milestone reaffirms our commitment to delivering advanced, mission-critical solutions to the Australian Army," Elbit Systems President and CEO Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis said.
"Elbit Systems is dedicated to supplying cutting-edge defence technologies that will safeguard troops on the modern battlefield," Mr Machlis added in the brief company statement issued this week.
The company has not publicly disclosed where Elbit System's advanced turret systems will be produced and assembled but sources inside the LAND 400 Phase 3 program insist the plan is to do "most of the work in Australia".
In 2021 the ABC revealed army headquarters had issued a directive ordering a "cease use" of another Elbit product, the BMS Command and Control (BMS-C2) in favour of an interim Danish system that remains in use today.
At the time Elbit Systems "strongly denied" security rumours about its BMS product after military sources suggested concerns about the technology possibly compromising sensitive data had triggered a directive that it "not be configured or accessed" on certain Army systems.
A Defence Department spokesperson insists it "works closely with industry partners to ensure that all contractual obligations, including security requirements, are met".
Earlier this year the ABC revealed disquiet in the defence industry sector over the Australian government's apparent reluctance to approve exports of locally made military equipment to Israel since the beginning of the Gaza war.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-28/israeli-weapons-company-awarded-australian-army-contract/103519558
#20344838 at 2024-02-02 09:55:19 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #34: UNITED AGAINST THE INVISIBLE ENEMY OF ALL HUMANITY Edition
>>20231122
>>20256895
Chinese embassy confronts Australian cyber ambassador who accused Beijing of cyber attacks
Andrew Greene - 2 February 2024
A Chinese embassy official has confronted Australia's new cyber ambassador after he told a gathering of diplomats in Canberra that Beijing was responsible for a series of devastating online attacks against this country.
Details of the latest diplomatic spat with Australia's largest trading partner have emerged a fortnight after China's ambassador lashed out at the Albanese government's public comments welcoming Taiwan's recent presidential elections.
The ABC can now reveal that during a November briefing for foreign embassies to outline the Albanese government's new Cyber Security Strategy, senior official Brendan Dowling was quizzed by a European diplomat about which nations were considered threats to Australia.
Mr Dowling, who was last year appointed ambassador for cyber affairs and critical technology, responded by noting that Australia had over recent years publicly attributed several online attacks to China, as well as Russia, Iran and North Korea.
While responding to the question, Mr Dowling also highlighted how Australia and its Five Eyes partners last year identified China's state sponsored hacking group Volt Typhoon as the culprit behind global cyber-attacks.
Attendees at the gathering have confirmed one of the two Chinese representatives in the room then rose to his feet to criticise Mr Dowling's comments and to insist Beijing wanted to "work constructively with other nations" on cyber matters.
"China disputes the Australian government's assessment, China is a positive force for good across the world," the unnamed Chinese official said, before returning to his seat.
Mr Dowling then responded to the Chinese representative telling the gathering that Australia has consistently "called on all states to act responsibly in cyber space".
Another foreign ambassador who attended the briefing told the ABC that a diplomat from an African nation indicated his support to the Chinese representative for making the interjection.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokesperson told the ABC it continues to "work with international partners in support of a safe and secure cyberspace, including through bilateral channels and existing multilateral forums and processes".
"Australia reiterates the importance of states acting in accordance with international law and the norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace in engagements with foreign governments," the spokesperson said.
"The 2023-30 Australian Cyber Security Strategy explains how the government will protect Australia's critical infrastructure, and ensure our citizens and businesses are better protected from cyber threats.
"It also provides a framework for Australia's global advocacy work, led by our Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology."
In its most recent annual assessment, the Australian Signals Directorate also identified state-backed cyber hackers as continuing to threaten major companies and critical infrastructure, signalling China out as the main culprit.
The Chinese Embassy did not respond when approached by the ABC for comment.
DFAT defends recent public statements on Taiwan following China criticism
Two weeks after China's ambassador sharply criticised Australia for congratulating Taiwan on its latest presidential elections, DFAT has defended the move as "consistent with longstanding practice and our one-China policy".
During a press briefing last month, Ambassador Xiao Qian rebuked the Albanese government for its public comments, warning Australia there was "no room at all" for compromise over Taiwan.
In a statement, DFAT said its senior officials "regularly meet with representatives from the Chinese Embassy, including the Chinese Ambassador".
"Australia congratulating Dr Lai Ching-te and the Taiwanese people following their election is consistent with longstanding practice and our one-China policy," the DFAT spokesman added.
"We continue to value our positive and productive unofficial relationship with Taiwan, which is underpinned by strong economic, cultural and people-to-people ties."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-02/chinese-embassy-confronts-australian-official-over-cyber-attacks/103415942
#20092959 at 2023-12-18 10:36:10 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #34: UNITED AGAINST THE INVISIBLE ENEMY OF ALL HUMANITY Edition
Over 700 American AUKUS personnel to be based in Western Australia, with radioactive storage facility also planned
Andrew Greene - 18 December 2023
Defence expects more than 700 American personnel could live in Western Australia to support up to four US nuclear submarines being stationed at HMAS Stirling, where a "low-level radioactive waste management" facility is also being planned.
The projections are contained in comprehensive briefing notes prepared by the newly created Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) which also detail how a one-off Australian government payment of $US3 billion ($4.45 billion) will be spent by the United States.
Under the optimal pathway announced by AUKUS leaders earlier this year, the Submarine Rotational Force - West (SRF-West) would first begin hosting Royal Navy Astute-class and US Navy Virginia-class submarines at HMAS Stirling from 2027.
A Virginia-class submarine carries a crew of 132 according to the US Navy, while an Astute-class boat deploys with almost 100 Royal Navy submariners on board.
SRF-West is the first phase of AUKUS and is projected to "grow an Australian workforce of approximately 500-700 maintenance and support personnel" before the 'Sovereign Ready' milestone when Australia can own and operate its own US-made nuclear-powered boats.
"This workforce will then move to support our enduring nuclear-powered submarine program and will be a key enabler for SRF-West," the ASA states in documents obtained under Freedom of Information by former Senator and submariner Rex Patrick.
"In addition to these 500-700 Australians at its height, we estimate that over 700 United States Personnel could be living and working in Western Australia to support SRF-West, with some also bringing families," the ASA predicts.
According to the ASA, SRF-West will be established as early as 2027 and expand in subsequent years to support up to four US and one UK nuclear-powered submarine, with the Australian government investing $8 billion to expand HMAS Stirling outside Perth.
The ASA notes there will also be "a small United Kingdom contingent living in Perth" but most British personnel supporting SRF-West "will be in Australia for shorter rotations, meaning they will not be bringing families with them".
Planning begins for low-level radioactive waste management
Decisions on where Australia will eventually dispose of its nuclear submarine reactors are not expected for many years, but planning has begun for "low-level radioactive waste management" at HMAS Stirling to support SRF-West.
"Expertise to manage low-level operational waste arising from nuclear-powered submarine operations and sustainment will be an important part of Australia building the necessary stewardship capability to operate and maintain its own submarines."
The ASA insists the rotational presence of US and UK nuclear submarines in Western Australia "will provide an opportunity to learn how these vessels operate, including the management of low-level radioactive waste from routine sustainment".
"All low and intermediate level radioactive waste will be safely stored at Defence sites in Australia," the ASA briefing documents confirm.
"An operational waste storage facility for low-level radioactive waste management is being planned as part of the infrastructure works proposed for HMAS Stirling to support SRF-West."
More details emerge on Australia's multi-billion dollar payment
Inside the almost 200 pages of ASA briefing notes are further details of how a $US3 billion ($4.45 billion) Australian contribution to the US submarine industrial base will be spent, including on enhancing facilities and pre-purchasing components and materials.
"Australia's commitment to invest in the US submarine industrial base recognises the lift the United States is making to supporting Australia's acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines."
"Pre-purchasing submarine components and materials, so they are on hand at the start of the maintenance period - saving time" and "outsourcing less complex sustainment and expanding planning efforts for private sector overhauls, to reduce backlog".
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-18/aukus-americans-western-australia-radioactive-storage-facility/103239924
#20092821 at 2023-12-18 09:50:55 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #34: UNITED AGAINST THE INVISIBLE ENEMY OF ALL HUMANITY Edition
#33 - Part 11
Australian Politics and Society - Part 4
>>19913727 Wissam Haddad doubles down on sermons and spruiks Holocaust comparison
>>19913769 High Court decision: Clare O'Neil says some freed detainees committed 'disgusting crimes' and hurt people still living in Australia
>>19924983 Far-right threats against Lidia Thorpe force her to live out of home for months and spark a major security review, keeping the firebrand MP away from parliament
>>19924986 Air Marshal Darren Goldie recalled from his secondment as Government Cyber Security Co-ordinator over workplace complaint 'related to his time in Defence'
>>19924988 Australian warship commander removed following alcohol incident - "A commanding officer of an Australian warship has been removed from his position while an inquiry begins into alleged "unacceptable behaviour" involving alcohol, which is prohibited when Navy personnel are at sea. Defence has confirmed the senior officer is no longer in command of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) vessel but is not releasing any other details about the matter due to privacy obligations. "There is no place for unacceptable behaviour or conduct within Defence," a defence spokesperson told the ABC in response to a series of questions. "All allegations of unacceptable behaviour are taken very seriously and investigated thoroughly following due process," the spokesperson added. Military sources say the captain is being investigated over allegations of "heavy drinking" while at sea, as well as an incident at an international event that caused "embarrassment" in front of United States Navy counterparts." - Andrew Greene - abc.net.au
>>19924989 Trial of military whistleblower David McBride, who leaked secret allegations of Australian war crimes, begins
>>19925015 Video: International crime syndicate dismantled by NSW Police in large-scale operation - Strike Force Tromperie was created by NSW Police's State Crime Command to target an underworld network from Lebanon, with the assistance of Australian Border Force.
>>19931450 Indefinite immigration detention ruled unlawful in landmark Australian high court decision - Indefinite immigration detention is unlawful, the high court has held, in a landmark decision overturning a 20-year-old precedent. The result overturns the case of Al-Kateb, which had authorised indefinite detention of non-citizens without a valid visa even in circumstances where it is impossible to deport the individual - The decision could trigger immediate release of 92 people, with detention of 340 others also in doubt.
>>19931318 Labor capitulates to Peter Dutton's demands for urgent and far-reaching controls over criminals released from immigration detention following a High Court ruling, acknowledging serious community fears over those set free
>>19931479 Dutton pushes for more laws to re-detain those released by High Court ruling
>>19931514 Bikie gangs, violent sexual offences: Crimes of dozens of detainees revealed - Twenty-seven of the foreigners whose indefinite detention was quashed by a landmark High Court decision are cases that have been referred to immigration ministers over several years under the category of "very serious violent offences, very serious crimes against children, very serious family or domestic violence or violent, sexual or exploitative offences".
>>19931551 Video: Military lawyer David McBride pleads guilty to unlawfully sharing secret allegations of Australian war crimes
>>19936337 United States appeals legal liability after marine burned by exploding barbecue in Darwin - The US government has gone to the Supreme Court of Appeal arguing it cannot be sued over an explosion at a Darwin army base that left a marine seriously injured.
>>19936398 'Where is the human right for the victim's family?' A father's anguish as killer walks free - It took a full week for Shaariibuu Setev to be told that the Malaysian hit man who murdered his daughter Altantuya had been released from Villawood Detention Centre on the orders of the Australian High Court and was now a free man.
>>19936502 Released detainees to wear ankle bracelets indefinitely, as lawyers condemn 'disproportionate' response
#19755135 at 2023-10-18 10:00:45 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #32: YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS FIGHT Edition
>>19755118
ASIO director tells Five Eyes intelligence summit that alleged Chinese spy was removed from Australia
Jade Macmillan and Andrew Greene - 18 October 2023
1/2
Australia's domestic intelligence chief has revealed a Chinese national was removed from the country after a foiled attempt to infiltrate a prestigious research institution.
ASIO Director General Mike Burgess has revealed details of the alleged espionage last month, while meeting his Five Eyes counterparts in the United States this week.
Mr Burgess says the spying plot against an unnamed Australian organisation was disrupted before any damage was done.
"The plot involved a visiting professor - a genuine academic who had also been recruited by Chinese intelligence," Mr Burgess told reporters.
"Their spymaster gave them money and a shopping list of intelligence requirements and sent them to Australia."
The meeting in Silicon Valley is the first-ever public gathering of the Five Eyes intelligence partners, which includes Australia, the US, the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand.
At the meeting, the domestic intelligence chiefs of Australia and the United States issued a scathing criticism of China, accusing it of intellectual property theft on an unprecedented scale.
Mr Burgess said the decision to step outside their normally secretive meetings reflected the nature of the threat they were facing.
"We recognise nations will spy, we recognise nations will seek strategic advantage," he said ahead of the summit.
"But what we're talking about here, this is behaviour that goes beyond traditional espionage.
"The Chinese government are engaged in the most sustained, sophisticated and scaled theft of intellectual property and expertise in human history.
"And this summit is about how we work with our partners together, and in the tech sector and innovation sector, so they can better be placed to identify and manage those risks effectively."
FBI director Christopher Wray labelled the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) the "number one threat to innovation", arguing it had made economic espionage "a central component of its national strategy".
"The FBI have, over the last several years, had about a 1,300 per cent increase in investigations that are, in one way or another, related to attempts to steal intellectual property or other secrets by some form of the Chinese government, or some arm of the Chinese government," he said.
"It wasn't that long ago, when I checked, we were opening a new investigation, again, specifically focused on China and its efforts to steal intellectual property and other secrets, about every 12 hours."
The UK, Canadian and New Zealand intelligence chiefs expressed similar concerns at the summit, which comes at a time when the Australian government is still trying to stabilise its relationship with Beijing.
The Chinese government has defended its conduct, arguing it has "always attached great importance and been actively committed to intellectual property protection".
A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, said his country firmly opposed the "groundless accusations and smears" towards China and hoped "the relevant parties can view China's development objectively and fairly".
(continued)
#19575766 at 2023-09-19 10:43:18 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #32: YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS FIGHT Edition
Potent $1.5 billion upgrade to Australia's maritime surveillance with manned and unmanned aircraft
Andrew Greene - 18 September 2023
Australia will purchase a fourth long-range Triton drone for maritime surveillance, despite the US Navy recently halting production of the expensive unmanned platform which critics warn is vulnerable to enemy attack.
The contentious American acquisition is part of a $1.5 billion boost to the RAAF being unveiled on Tuesday that includes upgrades to the existing P-8A Poseidon fleet, allowing the patrol aircraft to eventually fire anti-ship missiles up to 1,000km.
Under the Poseidon upgrade program, the Department of Defence expects the first of its 14 Boeing-made aircraft to receive enhancements to anti-submarine warfare, maritime strike and intelligence collection capabilities from 2026.
The entire fleet is expected to be completed by 2030.
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy says the P-8A upgrades and purchase of an additional MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) will be "critical to our defence and particularly surveilling the northern approaches to Australia".
"The purchase of an additional Triton will enhance operations from Australia's northern bases, a priority under the Defence Strategic Review," Mr Conroy said.
"The upgrades to the fleet of Poseidon aircraft strengthens our ability to secure and protect Australia's maritime interests."
Originating from the Global Hawk program, the MQ-4C Triton is manufactured by Northrop Grumman, boasting the ability to fly surveillance missions for more than 24 hours at altitudes exceeding 50,000 feet.
Under the previous Coalition government, an initial order was made for three of the high altitude long endurance (HALE) aircraft with plans to eventually buy up to seven, but none have yet been delivered to Australia.
According to the Biden administration's latest Department of Defense budget, the Triton program will be terminated with production ceasing in 2024.
The halted production will leave the US Navy with a total of 22 aircraft, well short of its earlier target of 70.
Decision to persevere with Triton drone 'strange'
Former Australian defence official Marcus Hellyer has described Labor's decision to persevere with the Triton as "strange".
He predicts the program will undoubtedly cost more in both acquisition and sustainment than originally forecast.
"Rather than getting in deeper and throwing good money after bad do we actually reconsider the whole thing and get out while we still can?" says Dr Hellyer, now with Strategic Analysis Australia.
"We've been pursing this capability for well over 20 years, we've been involved with the US on this program in various ways and we've been contributing financially to this program for a very long time.
"The question was always would we continue and get the full six or seven or would we get a smaller number but if we got a smaller number would it actually be a viable capability?"
However, the Triton acquisition is the right decision for Australia when combined with other steps being taken by the government, says Mr Conroy.
"I think this is good technology that gives us that persistent longer-range presence, that complements the best maritime surveillance aircraft in the world in the P-8 Poseidon and investments we're making in space awareness," he said.
When Australia's Triton aircraft eventually arrive, they are expected to be housed at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory but operated remotely from RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-18/1-5-billion-maritime-posiedon-triton-long-range-missiles/102870116
#19487556 at 2023-09-04 10:16:09 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #32: YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS FIGHT Edition
#31 - Part 54
Australia / China Tensions- Part 5
>>19298066 China's overseas police 'contact point' joins the cloud and remains operational in Australia - China has been using cloud-based technology to implement a police service in Australia, the ABC can reveal. China has set up dozens of police outreach centres in various cities across the world - which Beijing calls "contact points" - linked to the security departments of Chinese cities. Beijing has maintained these are staffed by volunteers and are designed to help Chinese citizens abroad with administrative tasks such as renewing national identification cards, passports and drivers licences, but human rights experts are concerned the contact points could be used to intimidate Chinese dissidents living overseas.
>>19340415 Video: Exercise Malabar joint naval drills begin off Sydney coast - Warships from India, Japan and the United States have met in Sydney Harbour as Australia hosts the annual "Exercise Malabar" military drills for the first time. The quad security partners deny their high-end warfare training is solely directed at China, but insist the activity is about promoting security in the region. Defence correspondent Andrew Greene was onboard HMAS Brisbane as she made her way into Sydney. - ABC News (Australia)
>>19340656 From dining with top officials to a Chinese-born Labor poster child: How Beijing is slowly changing the face of Western Australian politics - "The question of just how close the Chinese state is to the WA Labor government, and in particular to former premier Mark McGowan, has arisen repeatedly in recent years. His government's appointment of Dr Edward Zhang to a 15-member multicultural council in February 2021 raised eyebrows, given Zhang - while not personally linked to the Chinese Communist Party - is a founding member and honorary chairman of the WA branch of the Australian Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China (ACPPRC). This group is tied to Beijing's United Front Work Department, an integral part of the state apparatus tasked with recruiting people at home and abroad to push the interests of the Communist Party. Then there's WA Labor backbencher Pierre Yang, who founded the Australian Chinese Labor Association (ACLA) in 2015. Yang's preselection for the 2017 election has raised questions too since he had practically no experience in union activism, which is considered essential to get ahead in the ALP. Just how much is Beijing shaping politics in the WA ALP, and, by extension, in the rest of the state?" - Dr Rocco Loiacono - legal academic, writer and translator - skynews.com.au
>>19340781 Australian Cheng Lei's first message from Chinese prison describes harsh conditions - Australian journalist Cheng Lei, who was arrested and jailed in China three years ago, has released her first public statement describing the harsh conditions of her imprisonment and how much she misses Australia. "I miss the sun. In my cell, the sunlight shines through the window, but I can stand in it for only 10 hours a year," she writes from an undisclosed facility in Beijing. "This is a love letter to 25 million people and 7 million square kilometres of land, land abundant in nature, beauty and space. It is not the same in here, I haven't seen a tree in three years."
>>19340831 China visit not conditional on Cheng Lei's release, says Albanese - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says his planned visit to China this year is not conditional on the release of detained Australian journalist Cheng Lei, who has written an emotional letter on her three years in jail. Mr Albanese called for the mother of two, detained in China on national security charges, to be released. However, the prime minister would not call off his visit if this did not happen and said dialogue should not be transactional but was instead constructive to sort out disagreements with other countries.
>>19349795 China won't take the US military's calls. A top general claims that makes war more likely - China's military is becoming dangerously arrogant and is fuelling the risk of war with the United States by refusing offers to communicate with commanders in the Indo-Pacific, one of America's most senior military officials has warned. Lieutenant General Stephen Sklenka, deputy commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, said he feared that China would seek to establish a military base in Solomon Islands or another Pacific nation as it sought to dominate the region. Sklenka added that he saw value in Republican congressman Mike Gallagher's idea of positioning US hypersonic missiles in Australia and other key locations across the Pacific as a way to deter China from launching an invasion of the self-governing island of Taiwan.
#19487436 at 2023-09-04 09:33:25 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #31: MAGIC SWORD - IN THE FACE OF EVIL Edition
#31 - Part 54
Australia / China Tensions- Part 5
>>19298066 China's overseas police 'contact point' joins the cloud and remains operational in Australia - China has been using cloud-based technology to implement a police service in Australia, the ABC can reveal. China has set up dozens of police outreach centres in various cities across the world - which Beijing calls "contact points" - linked to the security departments of Chinese cities. Beijing has maintained these are staffed by volunteers and are designed to help Chinese citizens abroad with administrative tasks such as renewing national identification cards, passports and drivers licences, but human rights experts are concerned the contact points could be used to intimidate Chinese dissidents living overseas.
>>19340415 Video: Exercise Malabar joint naval drills begin off Sydney coast - Warships from India, Japan and the United States have met in Sydney Harbour as Australia hosts the annual "Exercise Malabar" military drills for the first time. The quad security partners deny their high-end warfare training is solely directed at China, but insist the activity is about promoting security in the region. Defence correspondent Andrew Greene was onboard HMAS Brisbane as she made her way into Sydney. - ABC News (Australia)
>>19340656 From dining with top officials to a Chinese-born Labor poster child: How Beijing is slowly changing the face of Western Australian politics - "The question of just how close the Chinese state is to the WA Labor government, and in particular to former premier Mark McGowan, has arisen repeatedly in recent years. His government's appointment of Dr Edward Zhang to a 15-member multicultural council in February 2021 raised eyebrows, given Zhang - while not personally linked to the Chinese Communist Party - is a founding member and honorary chairman of the WA branch of the Australian Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China (ACPPRC). This group is tied to Beijing's United Front Work Department, an integral part of the state apparatus tasked with recruiting people at home and abroad to push the interests of the Communist Party. Then there's WA Labor backbencher Pierre Yang, who founded the Australian Chinese Labor Association (ACLA) in 2015. Yang's preselection for the 2017 election has raised questions too since he had practically no experience in union activism, which is considered essential to get ahead in the ALP. Just how much is Beijing shaping politics in the WA ALP, and, by extension, in the rest of the state?" - Dr Rocco Loiacono - legal academic, writer and translator - skynews.com.au
>>19340781 Australian Cheng Lei's first message from Chinese prison describes harsh conditions - Australian journalist Cheng Lei, who was arrested and jailed in China three years ago, has released her first public statement describing the harsh conditions of her imprisonment and how much she misses Australia. "I miss the sun. In my cell, the sunlight shines through the window, but I can stand in it for only 10 hours a year," she writes from an undisclosed facility in Beijing. "This is a love letter to 25 million people and 7 million square kilometres of land, land abundant in nature, beauty and space. It is not the same in here, I haven't seen a tree in three years."
>>19340831 China visit not conditional on Cheng Lei's release, says Albanese - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says his planned visit to China this year is not conditional on the release of detained Australian journalist Cheng Lei, who has written an emotional letter on her three years in jail. Mr Albanese called for the mother of two, detained in China on national security charges, to be released. However, the prime minister would not call off his visit if this did not happen and said dialogue should not be transactional but was instead constructive to sort out disagreements with other countries.
>>19349795 China won't take the US military's calls. A top general claims that makes war more likely - China's military is becoming dangerously arrogant and is fuelling the risk of war with the United States by refusing offers to communicate with commanders in the Indo-Pacific, one of America's most senior military officials has warned. Lieutenant General Stephen Sklenka, deputy commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, said he feared that China would seek to establish a military base in Solomon Islands or another Pacific nation as it sought to dominate the region. Sklenka added that he saw value in Republican congressman Mike Gallagher's idea of positioning US hypersonic missiles in Australia and other key locations across the Pacific as a way to deter China from launching an invasion of the self-governing island of Taiwan.
#19446105 at 2023-08-28 09:32:07 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #31: MAGIC SWORD - IN THE FACE OF EVIL Edition
ADF Academy cadets claim they were pressured to remove uniforms for Wear It Purple Day
Andrew Greene - 27 August 2023
Defence insists Wear It Purple Day (WIPD) activities are voluntary for personnel after cadets claimed they were warned not to dress in military uniform during the annual LGBTIQ+ event because it would be considered a "protest".
Students at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) have complained they felt pressured to wear purple clothing on Friday in a move the federal opposition has condemned as "coercive" and "overtly political" for the armed forces.
For several years the Defence Department has encouraged members to take part in WIPD, but ADFA recruits said a directive was given last week outlining that regular uniforms would be prohibited this year.
An instruction purportedly sent to ADFA cadets on Wednesday, and seen by the ABC, states: "Please remember it is Wear It Purple Day tomorrow and the dress is civilian attire. No one is to wear uniform!
"Please ensure personnel remember this as wearing of uniform tomorrow will be seen as an active protest against LGBTQIA+, which is not in line with Defence policy.
"Additionally, anyone in uniform will be required to explain why they have chosen to disobey a direct command from the CO."
ADFA students claim the specific dress instructions ahead of Wear It Purple Day came from the executive officer of the Canberra military institution.
"Guidance from XO [executive officer] is that wearing uniform will be considered a protest against WIPD, which does not align with the ADF value of respect," another message to ADFA students also seen by the ABC, states.
"You are very welcome to wear civvies with absolutely no purple if you wish!
"This will be viewed as a neutral stance rather than an active protest and that is absolutely okay."
One current ADFA member, speaking on the condition of anonymity, has told the ABC that wearing civilian attire is virtually never permitted while studying at the officer training establishment.
In a statement, the Australian Defence Force did not respond to specific questions about guidance notes given to ADFA members but said it "continues to improve workplace culture to enhance capability and performance through diversity and inclusion activities".
"Defence personnel voluntarily participate in a range of diversity and inclusion events throughout the year at a group, service or local community level," a spokesperson told the ABC.
"On 24 August 2023, Australian Defence Force Academy students and staff were asked to wear civilian attire and, if they wished, to wear something purple in recognition of 'Wear it Purple Day'."
Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie, himself a graduate of ADFA, says military leaders at the officer training school are being "overtly political".
"The ADF leadership should only be insisting on adherence to its values: service, courage, respect, integrity and excellence," he said.
"To go beyond those values and ram home a political agenda - as they have with Wear it Purple Day - is to trample on our diggers and their freedom of conscience.
"That is not the spirit of ANZAC: it is coercive behaviour, and it is unacceptable.
"We have people with different religions, different backgrounds, different sexualities and we all have to live together, and we've got to be respectful of one another.
"I think that's the principle the ADF leadership should be focusing on, along with mastering the profession of arms which is their core business."
Twelve months ago Defence Minister Richard Marles overturned a controversial ban on ADF staff holding special events celebrating diversity and cultural causes such as LGBT+ morning teas that were introduced by his predecessor Peter Dutton.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-27/adf-academy-cadets-claim-they-were-pressured-to-remove-uniforms/102780562
#19340415 at 2023-08-11 16:34:21 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #31: MAGIC SWORD - IN THE FACE OF EVIL Edition
>>19340337
Exercise Malabar joint naval drills begin off Sydney coast
ABC News (Australia)
Aug 11, 2023
Warships from India, Japan and the United States have met in Sydney Harbour as Australia hosts the annual "Exercise Malabar" military drills for the first time.
The quad security partners deny their high-end warfare training is solely directed at China, but insist the activity is about promoting security in the region.
Defence correspondent Andrew Greene was onboard HMAS Brisbane as she made her way into Sydney.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prm5pieHB3Q
#19297988 at 2023-08-04 18:49:48 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #31: MAGIC SWORD - IN THE FACE OF EVIL Edition
United States Air Force 'mission planning' and operations centre to be built in Darwin
Angus Grigg and Andrew Greene - 4 August 2023
A new US Air Force "mission planning" and operations centre will be built in Darwin, as part of $630 million in American spending across the top end over the next two to three years.
The "Squadron Operations Facility" in Darwin will add to its growing array of military assets in the north, raising fears Australia may be locked into any future military conflict between China and the US.
"The scale and speed of the US investment in Australia shows they understand the need for urgency, but unfortunately we don't seem to," says Michael Shoebridge, a director of think tank, Strategic Analysis Australia.
"This is about deterring a conflict and the best way to do that is through collective military power."
The spending plans are detailed in US budget filings and procurement documents uncovered by the ABC but have never been fully outlined by the Australian government.
It follows ABC's Four Corners program that revealed last year the US planned to build permanent facilities to support up to six, nuclear-capable B-52 bombers at the Tindal air base south of Darwin.
The tender documents say the Squadron Operations facility in Darwin will be used for maintenance, mission planning, intelligence and crew briefings - it is budgeted to cost $US26 million ($40 million).
The US is also building a parking apron at RAAF Darwin that is expected to cost $US258 million, according to budget documents.
This latest spending push follows the US outlaying around $270 million to build 11 giant jet fuel storage tanks near Darwin's main port.
Some of these fuel reserves were previously located at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii but are now being dispersed across the region.
The fuel storage will allow the US to run large-scale exercises and operations from Northern Australia, demonstrating how strategically important the top end has become for Washington.
"Being able to organise and deploy forces outside of the dense missile attacks that China is likely to use against places like Guam and Okinawa is part of the strategic logic," Mr Shoebridge notes.
These upgrades are similar to those the US is funding at RAAF Tindal, south of Darwin.
The US has released detailed plans for a squadron operations facility and maintenance centre at Tindal.
"The [squadron operations] facility is required to support strategic operations and to run multiple 15-day training exercises during the NT dry season for deployed B-52 squadrons," the US tender documents say.
The aircraft parking area at Tindal will be able to accommodate six B-52 bombers and is due to be finished in late 2026.
All up, the US spending at Tindal is budgeted to cost $US130 million, not including jet fuel storage tanks and an ammunition bunker that have already been completed at the air base.
Mr Shoebridge, a former senior official at Defence, said it was "absurd" how little information about the US plans has been released by the Australian government.
"We should not have to get our information from [the] US," he says.
"A public debate needs to be enabled by information and you can't have a complete picture without knowing where the money is being spent."
Former diplomat Dr Alison Broinowski, now with the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network, warns the US military build-up in Australia's north drags this country closer to a future war with China.
"It's just another step in the same direction - a step that the government has been taking a series of for years; accepting whatever the United States wants to place on Australian soil."
At last month's annual AUSMIN talks, held between the foreign and defence ministers and their US counterparts, they flagged upgrades to RAAF Darwin and Tindal, but gave few details.
A joint communique expressed an "intent to rotate US Navy Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft in Australia to enhance regional maritime domain awareness, with an ambition of inviting like-minded partners to participate in the future"."The principals affirmed their intention to continue to progress upgrades at key Australian bases in the north, including RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal, supported by site surveys to scope additional upgrades at new locations, RAAF Bases Scherger and Curtin."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-04/us-mission-planning-centre-to-be-built-in-darwin/102683688
#19231969 at 2023-07-24 12:13:53 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #31: MAGIC SWORD - IN THE FACE OF EVIL Edition
>>19226439
>>19226465
First image emerges of RAAF's encounter with Chinese spy ship during Talisman Sabre
Andrew Greene - 24 July 2023
An aerial photograph showing an RAAF P-8 Poseidon plane flying over a Chinese surveillance ship as it headed towards Australia last week has been obtained by the ABC.
The image of the Dongdiao Class Auxiliary General Intelligence (AGI) vessel was taken from on board another Australian military aircraft over international waters in the Coral Sea.
On Sunday the Chinese vessel, carrying the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) fleet designation number 793, was believed to be positioned off the Queensland coast, possibly as far south as Shoalwater Bay, trying to collect sensitive information on the international Exercise Talisman Sabre.
Chief of Joint Operations Lieutenant General Greg Bilton told the ABC he deployed a P-8 surveillance aircraft on Thursday morning to make contact with the ship.
"It located the AGI, we hailed the AGI, we got a courteous response as you'd expect in normal interactions in international waters," General Bilton told the ABC while observing Exercise Talisman Sabre activities.
"They'll passively collect, and we'll adjust - there's some things we don't necessarily want to give away and we have methods of being able to employ our forces without giving those more sensitive aspects of our training away".
General Bilton said it was still possible the Chinese AGI could shift its position from central Queensland to Australia's top end, but that seemed unlikely.
"It is a fair few days' sail time, so to get from here to Darwin is four to six days, so I think it's going to stay in the region and observe the activities we're doing on the east coast".
The operations chief said the ADF also expected the high-tech spy ship would remain outside Australia's territorial waters as it observed the large-scale military drills.
"It will stay outside of our contiguous zones, so 24 nautical miles beyond, that's consistent with international law - their [PLAN's] behaviours on previous exercises have been exactly that and I don't expect to change."
Pressed on whether any Australian or United States submarines had also been deployed to snoop on the visiting Chinese vessel, General Bilton responded: "no comment".
Defence and security figures had initially anticipated China would again send two spy ships to Talisman Sabre this year given the vast scale of the activity taking place from Western Australia, the Northern Territory and down Australia's east coast.
RAAF to get new cargo transport planes
It came as Australia confirmed it would buy 20 new American-made military cargo planes, with Defence also examining plans to purchase new air-to-air refuelling aircraft.
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the government would proceed with a purchase of 20 C-130 Hercules aircraft, down from 24 initially approved for sale by the US Congress last year.
Costing almost $10 billion, the new batch of Hercules will replace 12 older C-130s based at Richmond Air Base in Sydney.
Defence sources said the government could soon also announce it is buying two new KC-30s, which can refuel other RAAF aircraft mid-air.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-24/first-image-of-australian-encounter-with-chinese-spy-ship/102637528
#19221167 at 2023-07-22 04:13:58 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #31: MAGIC SWORD - IN THE FACE OF EVIL Edition
>>19204909
>>19204923
Chinese 'spy ships' expected to sit off Darwin and Central Queensland during Talisman Sabre military exercises
Andrew Greene - 22 July 2023
Officials are preparing for two Chinese "spy ships" to arrive off Australia's coast next week to monitor the multinational Talisman Sabre military exercises opening in Sydney this morning.
Since 2017, China's Navy has deployed at least one Auxiliary General Intelligence (AGI) vessel to snoop on each of the biennial training drills involving the United States, as well as other partner nations.
Defence and security sources told the ABC they were expecting a pair of People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) vessels to head towards Australia over the next few days.
Brigadier Damien Hill, the director of Talisman Sabre 23, said Defence would again take appropriate precautions to protect sensitive military information and the Chinese were free to operate in Australia's exclusive economic zone.
"We monitor our borders very carefully and that includes nations such as the PLA operating - and as long as they do so in accordance with international law there will be no issues from us," he said.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, one official said the ADF was anticipating one Chinese vessel could station off the Northern Territory coast, while the second would monitor activity around Queensland's Shoalwater Bay Training Area.
Brigadier Hill has declined to comment on the assessment, but acknowledges this year's military drills are spread widely across the country.
"The exercise is quite expanded as far as geography is concerned - that's part of the exercise construct itself - there'll be activity from Western Australia to Norfolk Island," he said.
A record 30,000 personnel from 13 countries are taking part in Talisman Sabre this year, though Brigadier Hill said China had not requested to be an official observer or participant.
"They've never asked, so I don't say never is never, but at this stage they haven't asked to participate," he said.
"But if they do, I'm sure that the powers-that-be will make a very careful decision."
Rain delays start of Talisman Sabre
A planned live firing of a Japanese anti-ship missile in Australian waters has been postponed due to adverse weather conditions.
This morning, Japan's Self Defence Force was scheduled to demonstrate its Type 12 surface-to-ship missile in a foreign country for only the second time.
Officials say rough seas at Jervis Bay, south of Sydney, mean the live firing, which was to coincide with today's formal opening of Exercise Talisman Sabre, will have to be delayed.
On Friday afternoon, Defence Minister Richard Marles will join US Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro on board HMAS Canberra at Sydney's Garden Island Naval Base to officially open Exercise Talisman Sabre 23.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-21/china-spy-ships-to-sit-on-australia-coast-during-talisman-sabre/102629390
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_klRU3gZ_E
#19204951 at 2023-07-19 11:40:23 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #31: MAGIC SWORD - IN THE FACE OF EVIL Edition
>>19204909
Japan to fire advanced ship-killing missile on Australia's shores
Andrew Greene - 19 July 2023
Japanese forces will fire their most advanced anti-ship missile into Australian waters for the first time, ahead of large-scale multinational military exercises that begin later this week.
The ABC can reveal Japan's Self Defense Force (JSDF) is preparing to soon conduct a live fire demonstration of its Type 12 Surface-to-Ship missile (SSM) at a weapons range in Jervis Bay, south of Sydney.
Friday's activity will occur on the same day Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 is formally opened in Sydney, which will this year see South Korea also showcase its much-lauded Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher system.
Chief of staff for Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force, General Morishita Yasunori, has told the ABC his country's participation in the biennial military exercise is expanding.
"Exercise Talisman Sabre is important because it strengthens cooperation with Australia and the US, which will help maintain and strengthen a free and open Indo-Pacific," General Yasunori said in a statement.
"I believe the SSM firing exercise in conjunction with the Australian Navy will enhance a high level of trust between Australia and Japan."
The Type 12 Surface-to-Ship missile is a truck-mounted weapon developed by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 2012 which has a range of around 200 kilometres.
Japan has begun working to induct an upgraded ship-launched variant of the Type 12 SSM by 2026, which will boast an extended range of between 200km and 1,000km.
A senior defence source told the ABC this week's Japanese missile firing on Australian soil is a logical progression for the growing military relationship with the former World War II enemy.
"It makes a lot of sense for Japan to test fire these missiles in Australia's relatively open space rather than its own crowded and contested neighbourhood," the high-ranking officer said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Over recent years Australian and Japanese forces have conducted more frequent and ambitious defence exercises together as both nations become increasingly concerned over China's military ambitions in the region.
Talisman Sabre exercise director Brigadier Damian Hill confirmed the JSDF would fire its Type 12 SSM from Beecroft Weapons Range into the East Australia Exercise Area off the coast of Jervis Bay.
"This is the first time the JSDF have tested this capability in Australia and is an example of how our partnership continues to grow and deepen," Brigadier Hill told the ABC in a statement.
"Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 will also involve a live-fire activity at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, incorporating Multi-domain Strike."
"Multi-domain Strike is one of the ADF's newest joint war-fighting concepts and involves synchronisation of kinetic and non-kinetic actions from all joint war-fighting domains (Land, Maritime, Air, Space and Information & Cyber)."
The 10th iteration of Exercise Talisman Sabre will run from July 22 until August 3 and will be the largest on record, with more than 30,000 military personnel participating from 13 nations.
This month, Japanese soldiers conducted live-fire artillery support for Australian troops in Queensland as part of Exercise Southern Jackaroo, a lead-up activity to Talisman Sabre, which also included US forces.
South Korea to showcase rocket technology rivalling America's HiMars weapon
South Korean forces are this year participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre for the second time, bringing with them two warships and self-propelled howitzers, as well as a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) known as Chunmoo, which is similar to the American HiMARS technology.
Approximately 720 personnel from South Korea's Navy and Marine Corps will take part in Talisman Sabre after the country was first invited to the exercises as official observers in 2019.
During Talisman Sabre, South Korea's Chunmoo MLRS will be fired on Australian soil for the first time, as part of a large firepower demonstration at the Shoalwater Bay Training area in Queensland.
Unlike other militaries, Australia's Defence Force has so far been reluctant to consider acquiring the Chunmoo technology despite it being equipped with double the number of rockets compared to the American HiMARS, as well as boasting in-flight correction.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-19/japan-to-conduct-live-missile-firing-on-australias-shores/102616950
#18392839 at 2023-02-22 07:46:56 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #27: THEY ARE IN FULL BLOWN PANIC MODE Edition
>>18392801
>>18392821
Judges, journalists and military veterans targeted in 'unprecedented' spy threat on Australia
Andrew Greene - 22 February 2023
Journalists, military veterans and judicial figures are being targeted by foreign espionage agencies at "unprecedented" levels, with the country's intelligence chief revealing a "hive of spies" was removed from Australia in the past year.
In his annual threat assessment, the director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) has also hit out at former military personnel who have put "cash before country" by working for authoritarian regimes, describing them as "top tools" more than "top guns".
"Based on what ASIO is seeing, more Australians are being targeted for espionage and foreign interference than at any time in Australia's history," Mike Burgess said in a speech on Tuesday night.
"More hostile foreign intelligence services, more spies, more targeting, more harm, more ASIO investigations, more ASIO disruptions. From where I sit, it feels like hand-to-hand combat."
"This means ASIO is busier than ever before. Busier than any time in our 74-year history. Busier than the Cold War; busier than 9/11; busier than the height of the caliphate."
During his speech, Mr Burgess alluded to a "hive of spies" which ASIO had disrupted in the past year which he said was "bigger and more dangerous" than a "nest of spies" he publicly revealed was broken up two years ago.
Without naming the country involved, the ASIO boss said the spies were "undeclared - in other words, they were working undercover. Some were put in place years earlier".
"It was obvious to us that the spies were highly trained because they used sophisticated tradecraft to try to disguise their activities. They were good - but ASIO was better."
Mr Burgess said security agencies had detected "repeated attempts to hack into scores of Australian media outlets - so many, it appears to be a concerted campaign".
In one disrupted plot a "lackey" was recruited to lure "senior journalists" on all-expenses-paid "study tours" of a foreign country to obtain privileged information.
"Once in-country, the lackey was expected to introduce the journalists to 'local officials' who were really spies in disguise.
"The spies would use these opportunities to ingratiate themselves with the reporters, try to elicit insights on political, economic, defence and other issues, and identify any vulnerabilities that could be leveraged later."
The ASIO boss also revealed he has been directly pressured by public servants, academics and business identities to "ease up" on ASIO's foreign interference and espionage operations.
"Individuals in business, academia and the bureaucracy have told me ASIO should ease up its operational responses to avoid upsetting foreign regimes," Mr Burgess said.
"Of course, they are entitled to their views but the reasons they offer for them are flimsy, such as: 'All countries spy on each other'; 'We were going to make the information public anyway'; 'It's no different to lobbying or networking'; 'The foreign government might make things difficult for us'; and so on."
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers said it was concerning that those Australians in positions of influence were not taking the threat of foreign interference seriously.
"Foreign interference and espionage is a big threat to our national security and ASIO works around the clock to protect Australians from it. It is deliberately designed to undermine our democracy and our values," he said.
Foreign spies targeting defence ahead of AUKUS announcement
With an announcement on Australia's preferred AUKUS submarine pathway due within weeks, Mr Burgess also said there had been a "distinct uptick in the online targeting of people working in Australia's defence industry".
"As we progress AUKUS, it's critical our allies know we can keep our secrets, and keep their secrets," Mr Burgess said.
Months after Defence Minister Richard Marles ordered a review into reports China was trying to recruit former Australian pilots, the spy boss confirmed former military personnel were being targeted to sell their training and expertise to foreign governments.
"In some cases, we and our partners have been able to stop the former insiders travelling overseas to provide the training, but in others, legal ambiguities have impeded law enforcement's ability to intervene."
In a recent investigation of social media, ASIO employees discovered over 16,000 Australians publicly declaring they had a security clearance, and 1,000 revealing they had worked in the intelligence community.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-21/mike-burgess-asio-annual-threat-assessment/102003692
#18357094 at 2023-02-16 08:14:38 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #27: THEY ARE IN FULL BLOWN PANIC MODE Edition
Defence providing 'surge' support to border protection efforts north of Australia
Andrew Greene - 16 February 2023
Extra Defence surveillance aircraft and ships have been deployed to Australia's north, to assist with border protection efforts, amid warnings that changes to temporary protection visas could prompt a resumption in people smuggling ventures.
Defence has revealed in recent weeks it's provided the "surge" support to Operation Sovereign Borders (OSB) following a request from its Commander, Rear Admiral Justin Jones.
During a senate estimates hearing on Wednesday evening, Opposition senators quizzed the Vice Chief of Defence about "Opposition Resolute", the military's contribution to Australia's border protection efforts.
"The Defence Force generally surges as is required to support Operation Sovereign Borders," Vice Admiral David Johnston explained to the committee.
"That is available to the government to employ the ADF in that nature, and we are currently providing surge support," he confirmed.
Under subsequent questioning from Coalition frontbencher Simon Birmingham, the Vice Chief gave some more limited details about the increased military support to the border protection operations.
"It is of the nature of additional aircraft surveillance and additional ships that are patrolling in our northern waters".
Vice Admiral Johnston confirmed the surge was requested in the last few weeks, but wouldn't specify why, telling the committee it was a question better put to Home Affairs.
This week the Albanese government confirmed thousands of refugees who arrived in Australia before "Operation Sovereign Borders" began in 2013 would be eligible to stay here permanently.
On Monday the OSB Commander published a stern online warning to potential asylum seekers who were contemplating travelling to Australia by boat.
"The Australian government's decision to resolve legacy temporary visa caseloads does not change how Australia protects its borders," Rear Admiral Jones says in a video translated to several regional languages.
"Let me be clear, anyone who attempts an unauthorised boat voyage to Australia will be turned back to their country of departure, returned to their home country or transferred to a regional processing country."
The Opposition has warned that Labor's changes to visa settings could prompt a resumption of people smuggling operations to Australia.
"If the Labor government was so sure that their policy was not going to result in people smugglers reopening their trade, why did they put more Defence support into protecting our northern borders and do it ahead of that policy announcement?" Shadow Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said.
"What they're saying on the one hand is not being supported by their actions."
At the last election Labor promised to abolish Temporary Protection Visas but they will remain on the statute books.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-16/defence-providing-surge-support-border-protection-australia/101980806
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUAuIVK8Ao8
#18350489 at 2023-02-15 08:46:08 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #27: THEY ARE IN FULL BLOWN PANIC MODE Edition
>>18350474
Officials will not confirm whether US bombers in Australia carry nuclear weapons
Andrew Greene - 15 February 2023
Officials have stopped short of ruling out that US strategic bombers are carrying nuclear weapons to Australia, but the government insists any such move would not breach this country's international obligations.
During a Senate estimates hearing on Wednesday Greens senators sought details on whether visiting American aircraft such as the B-52s operating out of the Top End are ever nuclear armed.
The committee was told the United States had a longstanding policy of "neither confirming or denying" the presence of nuclear weapons under its practice of maintaining global operational unpredictability.
US bomber aircraft have been visiting Australia since the early 1980s, with nuclear-capable B-52s and B2 Spirits regularly operating out of northern Australia.
Defence Department secretary Greg Moriarty said the "stationing of nuclear weapons" in Australia was prohibited under the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, but the treaty did not prevent visits by the US bombers.
"Successive Australian governments have understood and respected the longstanding US policy of neither confirming nor denying the presence of nuclear weapons on particular platforms," he said.
"Australia will continue to fully comply with our international obligations. And the US understands and respects Australia's international obligations with respect to nuclear weapons."
Foreign Minister Penny Wong backed the secretary's statement and accused Greens senators of trying to "make a political point".
"This is the Australian position: We understand and respect the longstanding US policy of neither confirming or denying. That is the position," Senator Wong said.
"But we remain fully committed to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, and we will fully comply with our international obligations, which are understood by the United States."
Under further questioning from Greens senator David Shoebridge, the foreign minister said it would not be appropriate to elaborate.
"The responsible way of handling this is to recognise that the US has a neither-confirm-nor-deny position, which we understand and respect," she said.
Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie said the possible temporary presence of nuclear weapons in Australia was a matter for the government of the day.
"We have a very strong relationship with the United States, and of course those decisions are for the government of the day," he said.
"And of course we want to see a greater presence of the American military in the Indo-Pacific. They've provided great support to the region."
Defence mulls methods to make warships more deadly
Defence has also revealed it is examining ways to make Australia's next fleet of warships more lethal.
A recent Australian National Audit Office report has criticised progress on the British-designed Hunter class frigate program and warned it could be outgunned by enemies.
Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond told senate estimates Defence was considering plans to add further weapons to the future warship.
"Like the rest of the surface combatant force, we are looking at options to increase the lethality of its offensive suite as well," he said.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-15/defence-wont-confirm-if-us-bombers-carry-nuclear-weapons/101978596
#18299854 at 2023-02-07 09:06:06 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #27: THEY ARE IN FULL BLOWN PANIC MODE Edition
>>17884800 (pb)
>>18275708
US Congress suggests sending B-21 stealth bombers to Australia under AUKUS partnership
Andrew Greene - 7 February 2023
America's next-generation B-21 bomber could be sent to Australia to "accelerate" national security under a congressional proposal put to the US secretary of defense.
Influential Democratic congressman Adam Smith, who until recently was the chair of the House Armed Services Committee, has also flagged leasing or deploying "legacy" American submarines here as part of the AUKUS partnership.
The long-range nuclear-capable B-21 Raider was publicly unveiled by the United States Air Force in December. It is expected to make its first flight this year, eventually replacing the country's B-1 and B-2 bombers.
Before losing the committee chairmanship in January, Mr Smith formally pushed for a study into the possible "conveyance of B-21 bombers" along with "leasing or conveyance of legacy United States submarines for Australia's use".
In a resolution contained in the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2023, the Democrat requests that US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin launch an independent assessment of the "challenges" to implement AUKUS and to explore other alternatives to help America's ally.
"Alternatives that would significantly accelerate Australia's national security, including - (A) interim submarine options to include leasing or conveyance of legacy United States submarines for Australia's use; or (B) the conveyance of B-21 bombers."
Mr Smith represents Washington state, where four dry docks have been abruptly taken offline over earthquake fears, making it harder for the US Navy to field, maintain and then decommission nuclear-powered submarines.
Just before Christmas, the Democratic chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Jack Reed, and then Republican senator Jim Inhofe wrote to President Joe Biden raising serious concerns about the AUKUS pact and warning it risked harming America's industrial base to "breaking point".
Senator Reed later clarified that he was "proud to support AUKUS", while a bipartisan group of Congressional figures also publicly threw their weight behind the partnership with the United Kingdom and Australia to help this country to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
Former Defence Department official Marcus Hellyer said it was clear that congress was concerned about the risks around the AUKUS enterprise and wanted to understand them better.
"In light of the risks it makes sense for it to direct the US Department of Defence to examine a range of ways to increase Australia's military capability as fast as possible - including looking at the B-21 bomber," Dr Hellyer told the ABC.
A spokesperson for Defence Minister Richard Marles did not respond to questions whether he discussed the possible deployment of B-21s to Australia during his weekend meetings in Washington DC.
Last week, the ABC revealed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is planning to travel to the United States next month for the formal unveiling of the AUKUS "optimal pathway" for Australia to acquire nuclear submarines.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-07/long-range-b-21-bombers-could-be-sent-to-australia/101936772
#18275708 at 2023-02-03 12:03:48 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #27: THEY ARE IN FULL BLOWN PANIC MODE Edition
Australia prepares to unveil AUKUS nuclear submarine plans in the United States
Andrew Greene - 2 February 2023
Anthony Albanese is expected to detail Australia's preferred nuclear submarine option on American soil next month, alongside US President Joe Biden and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak - raising the prospect of a potential new boat design involving all three allies.
Planning is underway for the prime minister to travel overseas for the long-awaited AUKUS announcement on an "optimal pathway" to replace the Navy's ageing Collins-class fleet, with Defence Minister Richard Marles flagging a "genuinely trilateral" solution.
Details of the high-profile event involving three world leaders are yet to be confirmed publicly but anticipation is growing that it will take place in the United States to accommodate President Biden's schedule.
The ABC understands a precise date for the unveiling is yet to be agreed on, but federal parliament is scheduled to sit for all but the second week of March, meaning Mr Albanese could easily travel between March 10 to 19.
Mr Albanese has already indicated he will visit India, where he has been invited to join Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the fourth cricket test, which begins on March 9.
"Sunak and Albanese would be both willing to travel for the announcement, but at the moment it's harder for the US president to leave his country," a figure familiar with the planning discussions has told the ABC.
Mr Albanese is scheduled to host Mr Biden, and the prime ministers of India and Japan for the next Quad Leaders meeting in Sydney in June.
Concerns have been growing in Washington over constraints within America's submarine industry and its ability to support Australia's ambitions to acquire nuclear-powered boats of its own.
Just before Christmas, two influential congressmen raised serious concerns about the AUKUS pact, warning Mr Biden the proposal to help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines risked harming America's industrial base to "breaking point".
Last month, the US Navy abruptly suspended submarine maintenance work at four dry docks on the west coast over possible earthquake concerns, adding fresh doubts over the country's capacity to help with AUKUS.
Mr Marles this week confirmed the AUKUS announcement was "close" and would be a "genuinely trilateral" solution involving the United Kingdom and United States.
"What you'll see is when we ultimately do announce the optimal pathway that we've been working on with both the United States and the United Kingdom," he told the ABC.
"It really is, is a genuinely trilateral effort to see both the UK and the US provide Australia with a nuclear-powered submarine capability."
The ABC has approached Mr Albanese's office for comment but representatives declined to comment.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-02/joe-biden-tipped-to-host-aukus-announcement-albanese/101922328
#18263891 at 2023-02-01 09:50:16 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #27: THEY ARE IN FULL BLOWN PANIC MODE Edition
>>18263869
Visiting US Marine Corps chief warns 'everything in the cupboard' needed to prevent war with China
Andrew Greene - 1 February 2023
A visiting general who could soon become America's most senior military officer believes the US and allies such as Australia will need to use "everything in the cupboard" to avoid a conflict over Taiwan.
United States Marine Corps (USMC) Commandant General David Berger has held talks with top military figures in Canberra, but distanced himself from a senior American Air Force officer who's predicted a war with China within two years.
The four-star general has declared the United States is being driven by a need to maintain a deterrence posture against Beijing, although he believes the West continues to hold a technological edge over the Chinese military.
"My own view is this is going to need everything in the cupboard to prevent a conflict," General Berger said during a briefing hosted by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI).
"We can't slow down, we can't back off, we can't get comfortable with where we are because the risk then is the other side moves a half step and we've lost the deterrent value that we're after in the first place."
The USMC Commandant, who flew to Darwin where hundreds of US Marines are stationed each year, says the United States and allies such as Australia need to constantly innovate to deter China.
"We're driven by a pacing challenge which is the PRC [People's Republic of China]. There will be ebbs and flows in that long-term competition."
His visit coincides with a stark warning from the US Air Mobility Commander Mike Minihan that America could go to war with China by 2025, because President Xi Jinping is emboldened enough to invade Taiwan.
General Berger did not directly address his colleague's comments but insisted that "guessing at timelines" was very difficult.
"Our strategies are underpinned by deterrence - in other words - do all things possible; military, economically, everything our governments can pour into this to prevent a conflict.
"We have to be prepared all the time. I don't have a crystal ball. I can't predict because there are too many variables."
While General Berger said the People's Liberation Army was a "learning organisation" and had rebalanced its forces to better project beyond China's borders, it was still behind Western allies in certain areas.
"[China has] no partners, no allies, they are behind us technically, technologically," he told a Canberra audience which included leading defence analysts and academics.
ASPI analyst Dr John Coyne, who listened to General Berger's presentation, said the Marine Corps chief's push for new innovative thinking on deterrence was a crucial message.
"The future involves, and certainly when it comes to deterrence, involves a constantly evolving and rethinking West - and certainly for Australia and the US, that constant evolution is going to be important," Dr Coyne said.
There's also speculation in Washington DC that when General Berger returns to the US, President Joe Biden could soon appoint him as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation's highest-ranking military officer.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-01/us-military-chief-david-berger-china-australia/101913030
#18166835 at 2023-01-18 09:03:32 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #27: THEY ARE IN FULL BLOWN PANIC MODE Edition
Australia to buy 40 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from United States to replace troubled Taipan fleets
Andrew Greene and Brianna Morris-Grant - 18 January 2023
The Australian Army will ditch its European-made Taipan helicopter fleet early, with Labor confirming they will be replaced by a multi-billion-dollar purchase of American-made Black Hawks.
On Wednesday the government will announce it will acquire 40 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters for the Australian Army for an estimated $2.8 billion.
Australia first requested to buy the helicopters in mid-2022, to "replace Australia's current multi-role helicopter fleet" with "a more reliable and proven system", according to a Defence Security Cooperation Agency release in August 2022.
The head of land capability for the army, Major General Jeremy King CSM, said the UH-60M Black Hawks would meet the country's strategic needs.
"The Black Hawk capability will be a crucial element for us to protect Australia's sovereignty, and deliver foreign policy objects, including providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief," he said.
"The Black Hawk will support the deployment of our troops and their equipment where they are needed in times of crisis.
"The Black Hawk is a reliable, proven and mature platform supported by a robust global supply chain.
"This acquisition will mean we can continue to defend Australia and respond in times of need in a safe and effective way for years to come."
Defence Minister Richard Marles said the short answer to why the government was switching was Australia had not got the flying hours with the Taipans that it needed.
"We have been struggling with the Taipans for many years, in terms of maintenance issues, getting spare parts," he said.
"We are confident that we can get that from the Black Hawks. It's a platform we're familiar with, we've operated in different contexts before."
The Black Hawks will operate out of Oakey in Queensland and Holsworthy in NSW, with their delivery set to begin in 2023.
In December 2021 then-defence minister Peter Dutton announced the army would ditch its entire fleet of troubled European-designed Taipan helicopters a decade earlier than scheduled.
At the time, the army had 41 Taipans in service, operating out of Townsville and Oakey, and had spent more than $37 million to hire civilian helicopters to maintain its capability while it dealt with long-running problems.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-18/australia-to-buy-40-us-black-hawk-helicopters-replace-taipans/101865704
#18128882 at 2023-01-12 07:20:45 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #27: THEY ARE IN FULL BLOWN PANIC MODE Edition
>>18087967
>>18115494
US politicians express strong support for AUKUS submarine deal in letter to President Joe Biden
Andrew Greene and Stephen Dziedzic - 12 January 2023
1/2
A bipartisan group of United States politicians have publicly thrown their weight behind the AUKUS pact after two powerful US Senators warned that selling Virginia-class nuclear submarines to Australia could stretch the US industrial base to "breaking point."
Last week a US Defence news website revealed that the Democratic chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Jack Reed, and a former Republican colleague had urged the US president not to sell US built submarines to Australia under the partnership.
While the Australia, the United Kingdom and the US will only announce the pathway for Australia to obtain nuclear-powered submarines in March, there has been speculation that the Biden administration may sell or transfer a small number of nuclear-powered boats to the Albanese government to ensure it doesn't face a "capability gap" when the Collins class subs retire.
"Over the past year, we have grown more concerned about the state of the US submarine industrial base as well as its ability to support the desired AUKUS SSN [nuclear subs] end state," Democratic Senator Jack Reed and the now retired Republican senator James Inhofe wrote.
In the correspondence dated December 21, which was later leaked, the pair was quoted as saying "we believe current conditions require a sober assessment of the facts to avoid stressing the US submarine industrial base to the breaking point".
On Monday, Senator Reed seemed to partly moderate his position, publicly declaring his support for the partnership that was struck in September 2021 by US President Joe Biden, along with former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison and former UK leader Boris Johnson.
"I'm proud to support AUKUS, the United States' historic military agreement with the UK and Australia," the Senate Armed Services Committee chairman tweeted.
"This powerful partnership is central to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific, dramatically improving the capabilities of our allies, and increasing our engagement in the region."
Now a group of nine Republican and Democratic congressional representatives have also weighed into the public debate, writing to President Joe Biden to back AUKUS, and championing the idea of the US providing submarines directly to Australia.
"Far from a zero-sum game, the potential for the United States to provide or build new submarines under AUKUS, should that be the recommendation of the trilateral consultation, could very well be a 'rising tide that lifts all boats'," the letter said.
While Senators Reed and Inhofe warned that eroding industrial capability was already stretching the US capability to the point where it would struggle to meet its own military requirements, the Congressional representatives said AUKUS could provide a fresh infusion of cash to help it ramp up production.
"While it is essential to maintain a minimum of two submarines a year for the United States to meet our national security requirements, we are supportive of expanding the industrial base to meet AUKUS expectations," the US politicians wrote.
"We particularly believe that an expansion of our industrial base beyond two submarines would support the early provisioning of existing Virginia class submarines to be made available concurrent with the retirement of the Collins class attack submarines."
On Tuesday, China's ambassador to Canberra used a rare media appearance to publicly denounce the AUKUS deal, warning it would be an "unnecessary consumption of the Australian taxpayers' money".
(continued)
#18079427 at 2023-01-05 08:21:44 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #27: THEY ARE IN FULL BLOWN PANIC MODE Edition
>>18046171
>>18071608
Former PM Kevin Rudd tells United States to stop throwing allies 'under a bus' to limit Chinese influence in the region
Andrew Greene - 5 January 2023
Australia's incoming ambassador to Washington, Kevin Rudd, has been accused of engaging in "opinionated lecturing" after he declared the United States needs to stop throwing its allies "under a bus" on the economy.
The former Prime Minister, who takes up his prestigious appointment in March, claimed the Biden administration was operating with "one arm tied behind its back" in the Asia-Pacific because it had not focused on the importance of trade in favour of security ties.
"For the future, what is the missing elements in US grand strategy? It's called the economy, stupid," Mr Rudd told Bloomberg TV, invoking a famous phrase attributed to president Bill Clinton's former adviser, James Carville.
"You cannot continue to assume that there'll be collective solidarity on security questions but, on the economy, the United States is happy to throw some of its allies under a bus.
"And, for those reasons, the United States Congress needs to embrace, instead, a different strategy, which opens its markets more to its allies in Asia and in Europe, despite the over-riding protection sentiment of the US Congress and political class in general."
In his first media appearance since being named the next US ambassador, Mr Rudd argued that America's strategic stance would only succeed if the world's largest economy opened up its markets.
"You cannot have a strategy which has one arm tied behind its back, namely, trade and the economy," Mr Rudd said.
"You must, in fact, have both wings flying. Otherwise, this bird doesn't take off," the former Labor leader told a panel discussion focusing on the international economy and markets.
Last month, Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham noted the significance of Mr Rudd's appointment but has now criticised the former Prime Minister's language.
"Encouraging the US to pursue deeper economic engagement in our region and with other allies is smart, strategic and consistent with recent Australian ambassadors to the US," Senator Birmingham said.
"Opinionated lecturing of the US before you've even started your new ambassadorial role in the US is far less strategic.
"I doubt many will see Kevin Rudd's tone as an encouraging start to a role that requires both deft handling and policy smarts."
Inside government ranks, some MPs have privately expressed concern at the outspoken approach their former colleague may take in his new diplomatic role, suggesting he could become a "second foreign minister" based in Washington.
Mr Rudd stressed he was speaking in his capacity as president of the Asia Society and had not begun his ambassadorial role, noting it was "three months before I turn into a pumpkin".
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-04/kevin-rudd-wants-us-to-stop-throwing-allies-under-a-bus-economy/101827944
#18079409 at 2023-01-05 08:16:18 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #27: THEY ARE IN FULL BLOWN PANIC MODE Edition
>>18022458 (pb)
Australia to buy long-range HIMARS missile system from United States after Ukraine praises weapon's effectiveness against Russia
Andrew Greene - 5 January 2023
Australia's Army will have an unprecedented long-range strike capability with the purchase of the US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket (HIMARS) system, which Ukraine has praised for its devastating effectiveness against invading Russian forces.
The Albanese government has finalised a deal to buy 20 of the truck-mounted rocket launchers by 2026, while signing another deal to acquire the Norwegian-made Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) for Australian warships next year.
Precise costs of the purchases are being kept secret for security reasons, but the government has confirmed to the ABC the overall figure is "between one and two billion dollars".
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said during an October visit to the United States he held "productive discussions" with the Army and Lockheed Martin on how Australia could start producing the rockets used in HIMARS.
On New Year's Day, a Ukrainian strike using the US-donated HIMARS system killed dozens, possibly even hundreds of Russian soldiers in the Donetsk region.
Mr Conroy said the deadly precision of HIMARS in Ukraine has confirmed why Australia should acquire the technology.
"We'll have an Army ground launched missile that can reach targets up to 300 kilometres away and we're part of developmental program in the United States called the precision strike missile that'll allow Army to hit targets in excess of 499 kilometres".
"This will give the Australian army a strike capability they've never had before," Mr Conroy told the ABC.
Congress was first notified of a possible sale of the Lockheed Martin-produced HIMARS to Australia seven months ago, while the NSM purchase was flagged by the Morrison government in April last year.
"The Naval Strike Missile is a major step up in capability for our Navy's warships, while HIMARS launchers have been successfully deployed by the Ukrainian military over recent months and are a substantial new capability for the Army," Mr Conroy said.
NSMs are produced by Norwegian company Kongsberg and will replace the ageing Harpoon anti-ship missiles on the Royal Australian Navy's Hobart-class destroyers and Anzac-class frigates from 2024.
Labor says the HIMARS and NSM purchases will together cost over $1 billion, but Mr Conroy says precise details are being kept deliberately hidden.
"We won't be disclosing the total cost of the two announcements," he told the ABC.
"The two combined costs is between one and two billion dollars, the reason that we're not disclosing the specific amount is that gives information to potential adversaries which isn't useful beaming out there."
In its notice to Congress in May, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency estimated the cost of 20 HIMARS and associated munitions and equipment at US$385 million ($561 million).
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-05/australia-america-himars-missile-system/101827334
#17430779 at 2022-08-23 10:43:40 (UTC+1)
Q Research Australia #25: My Koala Hates Spam Too Edition
South China sea patrols to continue as RAAF declares China's air defences are 'not impenetrable'
Andrew Greene - 23 August 2022
Australia's new Air Force Chief has declared surveillance missions will continue in the South China Sea despite a "recent spate of unsafe incidences" in the contested international airspace claimed by Beijing.
Earlier this year Defence revealed a Chinese J-16 fighter aircraft had conducted a "dangerous" intercept of a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) surveillance plane in the region, prompting a diplomatic protest.
During the May 26 confrontation the Chinese military plane released aluminium chaff that was ingested by the Australian P-8's engines, a move Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned as dangerous and aggressive.
Air Marshal Robert Chipman has described recent encounters with the People's Liberation Army as "robust to say the least" and demanded the Chinese military adhere to higher standards of "professionalism".
"We see the Chinese as an incredibly capable, modern military - what should follow is high standards of professionalism, and we would like to see the same standards of professionalism from the Chinese that we extend to them," the RAAF Chief said.
In his first comments to the media since his appointment last month, the RAAF Chief also warned China had established a "formidable aerospace capability" in the South China Sea, but military operations could still be conducted there.
"It doesn't make it impenetrable and it doesn't mean you can't deliver military effects to achieve your interests when you are operating against China, so I don't think to that extent it's an exclusive area to us," he said.
Speaking alongside the visiting US Secretary for the Air Force Frank Kendall, Air Marshal Chipman said he didn't believe there would be an increase in confrontations with Australian aircraft.
"Certainly, we have seen a recent spate of unsafe incidences, but it's not a trend line that we can see sustained," he told media inside Defence Headquarters in Canberra.
"Our operations haven't changed, it is still business as usual for us, we force generate our crews to a very high standard, they're capable of operating in contested environments and so we think they're well equipped to keep operating in the South China Sea."
Last month the ABC revealed Australian warship HMAS Parramatta had been closely tracked by the Chinese military during a recent operation in the South China Sea, including being followed by a nuclear-powered submarine.
Secretary Kendall described China's increasing militarisation in the South China Sea as an attempt to develop capabilities to keep nations away from its shores.
"They are as formidable a strategic opponent as I have seen, we are in what I consider to be a race for military technological superiority with the Chinese," he said.
Both men spoke to the media after holding top level talks on deepening air force and space co-operation with a particular focus on projects such as the Loyal Wingman unmanned aircraft.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-22/south-china-sea-patrols-to-continue/101358924
https://twitter.com/CAF_Australia/status/1559771669945716738
https://www.airforce.gov.au/our-mission/chiefs-intent
#17430746 at 2022-08-23 10:22:19 (UTC+1)
Q Research Australia #25: My Koala Hates Spam Too Edition
Peter Dutton's ban on 'woke' defence events overturned
Andrew Greene - 23 August 2022
A controversial ban on defence staff holding special events celebrating diversity and cultural causes such as LGBT+ morning teas has been overturned.
Last year former defence minister Peter Dutton ordered defence officials to restrict activities, including morning teas, where participants would wear rainbow colours to support the LGBTIQ community.
On Tuesday Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty and Defence Chief General Angus Campbell issued a revised "all-staff" directive confirming new minister Richard Marles had ordered the previous policy be immediately scrapped.
"People will always be our most important asset, and Defence is focused on building inclusive and capable teams, underpinned by our unified Values and Behaviours," the memo stated.
"We recognise a diverse workforce supported by an inclusive culture is essential to Defence's capability and effectiveness.
"We look forward to working with all of you to build capability through fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce to deliver on Defence's mission."
The new directive will allow Defence Department staff to hold activities this week recognising the upcoming Wear it Purple and R U Okay Day.
Existing guidelines for defence's participation in events will remain, following the principles of impartiality, selectivity, reputation, inclusivity, and readiness.
When issuing the original "morning tea" ban, defence bosses reminded employees that "Defence represents the people of Australia" and that it "must at all times be focused on our primary mission to protect Australia's national security interests".
"We must not be putting effort into matters that distract from this," General Angus Campbell and Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty wrote last May.
"To meet these important aims, changing language protocols and those events such as morning teas where personnel are encouraged to wear particular clothes in celebration are not required and should cease."
Shortly after becoming defence minister last year, Mr Dutton argued "I will not tolerate discrimination, but we are not pursuing a woke agenda".
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-23/woke-defence-morning-tea-ban-overturned/101362596
#16729572 at 2022-07-14 10:56:30 (UTC+1)
Q Research Australia #25: My Koala Hates Spam Too Edition
>>16729133
Fears grow of possible miscalculation involving Australian military in contested South China Sea
Andrew Greene and Jade Macmillan - 14 July 2022
1/2
Concerns are growing that a serious incident could soon occur between the Australian Defence Force and the Chinese military as strategic tensions grow in the Indo-Pacific, as Australia's Defence Minister warns the world is witnessing the biggest military build-up since World War II.
The ABC has revealed HMAS Parramatta was recently closely tracked and challenged by the Chinese military while transiting through the contested waters of the South China Sea and East China Sea.
As details emerged of Australia's latest interaction with the People's Liberation Army (PLA), a US warship conducted a freedom-of-navigation operation (FONOP) in the South China Sea on Wednesday by sailing within the 12-nautical-mile boundary imposed by Beijing on the Paracel Islands.
Australia is yet to conduct a US-style FONOP to challenge Chinese claimed territory and features in the South China Sea, but military observers believe the tempo of ADF activity in the region is high.
In May, a Chinese jet fighter intercepted an Australian surveillance aircraft in the South China Sea, first firing flares and then cutting in front of the P-8 Poseidon and releasing a bag of chaff.
Professor Don Rothwell - an international law expert at the Australian National University - warns the prospect of a miscalculation in the South China Sea involving Australia and China is growing.
"I think it's becoming increasingly difficult because it is clear that there is a pattern associated with Australia's activities now [that is] very much aligned with the way in which the United States conducts similar activities," Professor Rothwell told the ABC's Afternoon Briefing.
"It needs to be accepted that Australia is often sailing through those waters on their own without a lot of back-up, in the way that the US navy would often have."
"Australia, to a degree, is isolated and, yes, the risk of miscalculation is one that is very live."
Professor Rothwell's concerns are backed by Nationals MP Darren Chester, a former minister for veterans' affairs and defence personnel.
"What concerns me is there's more likely to be some incident at a future point resulting from a level of misadventure or miscalculation or mistake being made than an actual act of aggression," Mr Chester said.
"We need to be very careful and need to make sure we are working closely with our allies. I think it is really important that we try and de-escalate these situations wherever possible.
"At the same time, we have every right to be there. The Australian navy is incredibly professional, incredibly well-trained and incredibly capable and they are just doing their job."
(continued)
#16729133 at 2022-07-14 08:11:04 (UTC+1)
Q Research Australia #25: My Koala Hates Spam Too Edition
Defence Department silent on latest Chinese military encounter with Australian warship
Andrew Greene - 13 July 2022
Defence has cited "operational security reasons" for not discussing an Australian warship's recent encounters with the Chinese military while sailing through international waters claimed by Beijing.
Military sources claim HMAS Parramatta has been closely tracked by the People's Liberation Army over recent weeks, including being followed by a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine, a warship and multiple aircraft.
"Formal challenges have occurred, such as telling us that we're entering 'China's territorial waters'," a Defence figure familiar with the interactions said.
"The most intense activity occurred as HMAS Parramatta was in the East China Sea," the official told the ABC, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to publicly discuss operations.
Since departing Australia in late May, the ANZAC-class frigate has travelled to Vietnam and South Korea and then on to Japan via the South China and East China Seas as part of a "regional presence deployment" which has included several joint military exercises with other navies.
According to the Australian embassy in Vietnam, HMAS Parramatta arrived in the port city of Da Nang on June 5, before departing the country over a week later bound for the Busan Naval Base in South Korea.
That trip took the ship through the South China Sea and then the East China Sea past Taiwan, which include heavily militarised territory claimed by the Chinese.
During its passage, the ABC was told, HMAS Parramatta was closely tracked by Chinese military assets including a Type 052C "Luyang II" guided-missile destroyer and a Type 093-A "Shang II" nuclear-powered attack submarine.
On June 28, the Australian warship then arrived in the Port of Sasebo, in the Nagasaki prefecture, after completing naval exercises with Japan's Self-Defence Force.
Last week the ABC approached the Defence Department with a series of detailed questions about the Chinese military's interactions with HMAS Parramatta, but it declined to answer them.
"HMAS Parramatta is currently undertaking a regional presence deployment, conducting a number of navy-to-navy activities with Australia's regional partners and participating in various maritime exercises," a departmental spokesperson said.
"Regional deployments form part of Australia's longstanding contribution to an open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific.
"For operational security reasons, Defence does not publicly disclose specific details of operations," the spokesperson added.
Defence Minister Richard Marles, who is visiting the United States, also declined to comment when asked by the ABC about the recent encounters.
"I won't go into details around that, other than to say that what our military does, what our navy, does in the South China Sea is routine," Mr Marles told the ABC from Washington DC.
"It's been doing it for decades, and it is focused on asserting the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea: freedom of navigation, freedom of overflight, the global rules-based order, which I've been describing as being so important for our national interest.
Asked whether the government may choose to later publicly disclose the incident as it has with previous encounters with the Chinese military, Mr Marles left open the possibility.
"That may happen in the future again, but what we are focused on first and foremost is doing the activity because that's in our national interest."
"And then obviously, in terms of the management of the information around that activity, we're focused on the safety of our servicemen and women."
Last week Japan's Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) announced it had "conducted a trilateral exercise with United States Ship Dewy and HMAS Parramatta in the East China Sea to East of Okinawa" between July 4 and 6.
"The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force strengthens cooperation among JMSDF, US navy and Australian navy in order to realise a free and open Indo-Pacific," it said.
Earlier this year the Defence Department revealed a Chinese J-16 jet fighter had flown close to an RAAF P-8 maritime surveillance plane during a routine patrol in the South China Sea.
On Friday Foreign Minister Penny Wong met her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Bali, the first such face-to-face meeting at such a high level in almost three years.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-13/australian-defence-warship-tracked-by-chinese-military/101229906
https://twitter.com/Australian_Navy/status/1543837008958615552
https://twitter.com/JMSDF_SDF_ENG/status/1544899755590897665
#16601732 at 2022-07-05 10:15:51 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #23: HOUSE OF CARDS Edition
>>16594208
UN nuclear watchdog warns 'a lot of work to do' before AUKUS submarine deal approval
Andrew Greene and Patrick Martin - 5 July 2022
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has warned there is a lot of technical work to be done before Australia's AUKUS submarine plans can be approved.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director-general Rafael Grossi met Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Monday to discuss details of Australia's proposal to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
Following the talks, Mr Grossi said he was encouraged to hear Senator Wong reaffirm Australia's determination to adhere to its nuclear non-proliferation commitments.
"We had a long conversation, and I was reassured by her commitment to make sure that Australia is unfailing in its commitment to non-proliferation," Mr Grossi said.
"We must ensure that whatever is done in this area will not - will never - run counter to the basic principal of preventing nuclear weapons proliferation."
In September, the former Morrison government unveiled the AUKUS partnership to harness American and British technology for a nuclear submarine fleet to replace Australia's ageing Collins Class fleet.
Mr Grossi says it's "no secret" that China and Russia have launched a furious diplomatic effort with his agency to push back against the AUKUS proposal.
Earlier this year, the ABC revealed the Department of Foreign Affairs Trade was boosting specialised diplomatic teams in both Canberra and Vienna - where the IAEA is headquartered - in part to push back against a "disinformation" campaign from Moscow and Beijing.
On Tuesday, the IAEA director-general will hold talks with officials in Canberra as his agency continues to scrutinise the controversial AUKUS arrangements.
"At the technical level we have a lot of work to do, we have to roll up our sleeves and do it," Mr Grossi has told the ABC.
The nuclear chief says monitoring the highly enriched uranium in an Australian nuclear-powered submarine while deployed offshore for months at a time will be a difficult task, but he believes agreement to allow it can be reached.
"One has to make sure that the system is well-designed, it's quite a complex technical, legal, exercise and as you were saying, people will be looking at this because it will be precedent-setting," he said.
"It's painstaking work, but we have started and I'm confident that we will be able to have a successful outcome."
In a statement, Senator Wong said "the work of the IAEA to contribute to global peace and security has never been more important, or more urgent.
"I reiterated Australia's total commitment to our obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty.
"I reaffirmed Australia's commitment to working transparently and openly with the IAEA to ensure our acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines sets the highest possible non-proliferation standards."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-05/nuclear-watchdog-warns-of-work-to-do-aukus-submarine-deal/101207918
#16554238 at 2022-06-29 11:33:31 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #23: HOUSE OF CARDS Edition
>>16418526
AUKUS nuclear submarine plan to be revealed by March 2023
Andrew Greene - 29 June 2022
Australia's future nuclear submarine plans are expected to be unveiled early next year, with the government also looking to detail its moves to fix a looming capability gap.
Defence Minister Richard Marles is working to announce by March which nuclear submarine Australia will acquire, in line with the original 18-month time frame set out when the AUKUS partnership was first revealed last year.
Within nine months, Labor also hopes to know whether an "interim" conventionally powered submarine fleet is needed to bridge the gap between the retirement of the Collins class and the arrival of nuclear-powered boats.
The Morrison government had previously suggested a decision on nuclear-powered submarines could be brought forward to before the end of this year.
But Mr Marles said that suggestion was "optimistic in the extreme" and it is clear the former government's plan would have delivered submarines by the 2040s.
"We will be looking at every option available to try and bring that time forward," he said.
"I think bringing that time forward to eight years from now would be extremely optimistic."
In recent weeks, numerous retired defence figures have warned Australia needs a so-called "son of Collins" fleet because the country will be left exposed before the AUKUS submarines are due to enter service in the 2040s.
Last week, outgoing Navy Chief Vice Admiral Mike Noonan said a new class of submarines to be built as an "interim" capability could not be ruled out.
"I think we're going to see a period of study and reflection and we're going to look at all options, so I don't rule out any decision that our government might make with respect to realising our future navy capabilities," Vice Admiral Noonan said.
On Tuesday, Mr Marles announced the surprise decision to extend the terms of Australia's Defence Chief, Vice Chief of Defence and Chief of Joint Operations by two years, in part to help oversee the massive naval project.
"The former government left a lot of major procurements to fall behind time. Australia has a number of capability challenges - most significantly delivering the next generation of submarines," Mr Marles said.
"And as a country, it's important that we are bedding down the new AUKUS arrangement.
"Against this backdrop, in considering the new service chiefs the Albanese government has placed an emphasis and a premium on continuity," he told reporters.
While the ADF's most senior leaders will remain beyond their initial four-year appointments, new service chiefs have been announced for Navy, Army and Air Force.
Rear Admiral Mark Hammond will become Chief of Navy, Major General Simon Stuart Chief of Army and Air Vice Marshal Robert Chipman will become Chief of Air Force.
Mr Marles said the senior Australian Defence Force leadership appointments came at a time that was "as strategically complex as any since the end of the Second World War in terms of our national security and the needs of our defence procurement".
Labor is also expected to complete a promised Defence Force Posture review next year.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-29/richard-marles-defence-projects-submarines-aukus/101190876
#16399563 at 2022-06-05 11:00:08 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #23: HOUSE OF CARDS Edition
>>16356292
'I've stepped up' Australian soldier declares from Ukrainian front line while fighting against Russia
Andrew Greene - 5 June 2022
A foreign fighter who identifies himself as Australian has spoken of his decision to travel to "faraway" Ukraine to help "a country in need" as it defends itself against Russia's invasion.
Appearing in a recently published video, the unidentified soldier talked about joining other international volunteers in the newly formed military unit known as the Ukrainian Foreign Legion.
"I think it's fantastic, I think it's an opportunity," the man, whose face is obscured by a mask, says in a distinctly Australian accent.
His comments appeared in a Radio Svoboda television report filed from the frontline city of Sievierodonetsk, where Ukrainian forces claimed to have just reversed a Russian advance and recaptured about 20 per cent of the city.
"I think since coming here it's been amazing how many people from all around the world have come together to help out a country in need," he said.
Radio Svoboda, known elsewhere as Radio Free Europe, is a United States government-funded organisation that broadcasts news to countries in Eastern Europe and other parts of the world where media is either banned or restricted.
In the Ukrainian-language video, the Australian volunteer fighter explained in English how he hoped to inspire other foreign recruits to also join the war effort against Russia.
"I feel like it's really, really inspirational to have a lot of these guys with previous experience to actually lend their hand and step up and volunteer," he said.
"I'm from Australia, it's quite far away, quite hard to get here and even I stepped up - hopefully, I inspire more people to come and do the same thing".
A second soldier, speaking English with an American accent, said he was "a 22-year-old kid" from Georgia and promised to help push Russians back.
"We're on the right side of the history," he added.
The Australian government has repeatedly warned Australians against joining the war against Russia, after Ukraine's President established the Foreign Legion in February.
On Sunday, Defence Minister Richard Marles said he was unaware of the interview with the Australian soldier, but repeated warnings for others not to travel to the front line.
"Our message is that Australians should not be participating in foreign conflicts," Mr Marles told reporters in Geelong.
Government sources have told the ABC that as many as 200 Australian citizens and Ukrainian dual nationals are believed to have travelled to Europe to join the war effort, although no official figure has been released.
Ukrainian officials on Saturday announced the death of four foreign military volunteers fighting Russian forces but did not specify when or under what circumstances they died.
The International Legion of Defence of Ukraine, an official volunteer brigade, named the men and published photos of them, saying they were from Germany, the Netherlands, Australia and France.
The death of Australian man Michael O'Neill was first reported last month, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese describing the 47-year-old's passing as a "tragedy".
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-05/australian-soldier-on-ukraine-front-line-fighting-against-russia/101127348
#16331870 at 2022-05-24 09:39:27 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #22: THIS IS NOT ANOTHER 3-YEAR ELECTION Edition
>>16104792
>>16331861
Australian military personnel rescue occupants of stricken Solomon Islands police boat
Andrew Greene - 24 May 2022
The Australian Defence Force has declared it is "ready and willing" to assist its Pacific family after a weekend rescue of a missing Royal Solomon Islands Police Force boat.
While attention was focused on Saturday's federal election, naval personnel working alongside a surveillance aircraft and helicopter managed to locate the stricken Solomon Islands vessel and bring its crew to safety.
The mission involving HMAS Ararat, an Australian-contracted surveillance plane as well as an Australian Federal Police-chartered helicopter comes amid a renewed focus on the strategic importance of the Pacific nation, which has just signed a security pact with China.
HMAS Ararat commanding officer Lieutenant Commander David Martinussen said the Saturday rescue was "excellent teamwork" and a collective effort between partners.
"I am very proud of how professionally the team in HMAS Ararat responded to assist our friends in need," Lieutenant Commander Martinussen said.
"The team was simply outstanding. We assessed the situation and quickly closed the search area from over 200 nautical miles away."
Ararat's commanding officer said his crew felt privileged to be able to provide assistance to friends and fellow mariners.
"When we arrived on station, the vessel's crew and passengers were smoothly embarked in Ararat to ensure their health and wellbeing," he said.
"The stricken vessel was then taken under tow. After an overnight escort, the vessel and our guests were safely repatriated onto Southland Island the following morning.
"The Australian Defence Force is ready and willing to respond when our Pacific family call on us for assistance."
Australia's High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Lachie Strahan, also expressed his appreciation to the personnel involved in the rescue, noting "all crew and passengers [were] safe and well".
Ever since a draft security agreement between Beijing and Honiara emerged in March, the Australian government has consistently insisted it is the "security partner of choice" for Solomon Islands.
HMAS Ararat is currently providing maritime surveillance support in the region at the request of the Solomon Islands government.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-24/australian-military-rescues-solomon-islands-police-boat/101092628
#16162731 at 2022-04-27 10:09:45 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #22: THIS IS NOT ANOTHER 3-YEAR ELECTION Edition
>>16104792
Spy boss denies 'intelligence failure' before Solomon Islands signed security pact with China
Andrew Greene - 27 April 2022
One of Australia's top national security figures denies there was a failure by intelligence agencies to stop a military pact being signed between Solomon Islands and China.
The head of the Office of National Intelligence (ONI) Andrew Shearer also warned that Chinese police officers who have already arrived in the Pacific nation could incite further violence and instability.
In early April Mr Shearer joined his counterpart from Australia's overseas spy agency ASIS in an unsuccessful last-ditch mission to Honiara to urge Solomon Islands to scrap its deal with Beijing.
Three weeks on from his talks with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, the ONI boss has been questioned about whether Australian intelligence agencies had failed to stop China's move.
"It wasn't an intelligence failure, this strategy has been unfolding for a number of years," Mr Shearer declared while appearing at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi.
"I think for those of us watching closely there were signs of this well over a decade ago and we've seen this building, this building [Chinese] presence across the Indo-Pacific."
After last November's civil unrest in the Solomon capital, Australia quickly dispatched dozens of defence force personnel and federal police to help restore law and order.
They were soon followed by Chinese anti-riot police trainers, but Mr Shearer fears their presence could eventually lead to a confrontation in Honiara.
"Unity of command is always desirable in any security operation, and confusion around unity of command is an issue," he warned.
"In such a fragile, volatile country, Chinese policing techniques and tactics that we've seen deployed so ruthlessly in Hong Kong for example are completely inconsistent with the Pacific way of resolving issues and could incite further instability and violence."
While conceding Australia was "not a perfect partner" for Pacific nations, Mr Shearer insisted China's motives were particularly unhelpful for the region.
"We've made a big investment. I think our motives are pure and have been pure for decades. But we accept these countries making their own choices. What we can't accept is an outside power influencing the choices of these countries."
Mr Shearer was joined at the Raisina Dialogue by his one-time boss, and former prime minister, Tony Abbott, who also spoke on a panel discussion about China.
Mr Abbott told the event that countries needed to deal with a "strong" and "dangerous" China with "great care" but argued any attempted invasion of Taiwan had to be met with force.
"When it comes to any attempt to seize a flourishing democracy by force, I think that absolutely requires a confrontation," Mr Abbott said.
Late on Tuesday China again hit out at the Australian government's increasingly strident criticisms of its actions.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin took aim at recent comments from Defence Minister Peter Dutton, who has suggested Beijing paid bribes to politicians in Solomon Islands
"An individual Australian politician got used to make crazy comments to smear China and instigate war for their own political interest," he said in a briefing in Beijing.
"Their behaviours are despicable, and the Chinese people and international community see that clearly."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-27/Andrew-shearer-intelligence-boss-china-solomon-islands-security/101017836
#16155519 at 2022-04-26 10:51:03 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #22: THIS IS NOT ANOTHER 3-YEAR ELECTION Edition
>>16128273
Australia's Defence boss heads to UK to inspect British-designed warships and have talks on AUKUS, Ukraine
Andrew Greene - 26 April 2022
Australia's top Defence official is visiting the United Kingdom this week to receive updates on the troubled $45 billion future frigate program and to speak to senior officials about the war in Ukraine as well as the recently announced AUKUS partnership.
The ABC can reveal Defence Department secretary Greg Moriarty will tour the Scottish shipyards of BAE Systems, the British company selected to design Australia's Hunter-class frigates that will eventually be based on the UK's new Type 26 warship.
In a visit to Glasgow, Mr Moriarty will get an up-close view of HMS Glasgow, the first Type 26 frigate under construction, which bears the name of a previous Royal Navy warship that saw action in the Falklands.
Four years ago, BAE Systems was chosen ahead of rival bids from Spain and Italy to design and produce nine high-tech, anti-submarine warfare frigates for the Royal Australian Navy.
The program has been beset by delays and technical difficulties since.
Earlier this month, defence officials confirmed to parliament that a "system-critical design review" of the Hunter-class program originally due to be finished by the end of the year was now scheduled to be completed at the end of 2024 and could be delayed further.
Defence sources say that during the visit to the UK, Mr Moriarty is expected to press BAE representatives about problems being encountered on the UK's Type 26 program and possible implications for Australia's Hunter-class project.
Discussions on Ukraine, submarines and drone program
During his UK visit, the Defence boss is expected to discuss joint efforts to back Ukraine against Russia's invasion.
Australia has already offered more than $200 million in military aid including Bushmaster vehicles.
The secretary is also scheduled to meet with representatives from other companies that could eventually be involved in the construction of Australia's future nuclear-powered submarine fleet to be acquired under the AUKUS partnership.
He is also likely to discuss the future of a controversial exchange program involving over 30 ADF personnel who operate armed British drones, an arrangement that is being reviewed after Defence cancelled plans to acquire its own version of the Reaper weapon.
The Defence secretary's overseas trip during the election campaign "caretaker" period has not yet been publicly disclosed by the government or Defence Department, which is declining to comment.
The ABC has also approached BAE Systems for comment.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-26/defence-secretary-greg-moriarty-visits-uk/101013586
#16128273 at 2022-04-22 13:35:49 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #22: THIS IS NOT ANOTHER 3-YEAR ELECTION Edition
Dozens of Australian RAAF pilots are operating drone strikes from the United Kingdom, Defence Department confirms for the first time
Andrew Greene - 21 April 2022
Australia's Department of Defence has for the first time confirmed the total number of its pilots deployed to the United Kingdom on a secretive mission to remotely operate British armed drones, including lethal flights over the Middle East.
In a Freedom of Information disclosure, the department reveals 32 ADF personnel are currently embedded in "unmanned aerial system units" in the UK, while one other is working in the United States.
Details of their deployment are closely guarded, but in 2020 British researchers reported that Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilots had flown American-made MQ-9A Reaper drones over Syria and Iraq for Britain's Royal Air Force (RAF), as had private contractors.
The first public disclosure in Britain that Australians were operating armed drones for the RAF was contained in the 2020 annual report of the UK's Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA).
According to the IPA, the recruitment of RAAF pilots was helping the RAF fix a workforce shortage, which military observers have blamed on the psychological trauma of operating deadly unmanned aircraft.
The dozens of ADF exchange personnel are also helping the British military to begin transitioning to the new MQ-9B Protector drone, which will eventually replace the RAF's Reaper fleet.
"A steady increase in overall Reaper Force crew numbers has also improved confidence: this has been brought about by improved retention; Royal Australian Air Force exchange officers; and a pathway to using contractors to relieve Royal Air Force personnel at the deployed location," the IPA noted two years ago.
Until recently Australia was also intending to introduce the MQ-9B armed drone into service under the SkyGuardian program, but the $1.3 billion project was dumped ahead of this year's federal budget.
Having Australian pilots operating British MQ-9A Reaper drones was considered valuable training experience for the RAAF, but the future of the arrangement is now unclear.
Defence has so far declined to say what impact the axing of the SkyGuardian project will have on the pilot exchange program with the RAF, but the ABC has been told the department is reviewing its future.
Labor says it will consider reinstating the ditched $1.3 billion program to acquire the American-made armed drones if it wins the federal election.
In 2015 it was reported that Australia's most infamous terrorists Khaled Sharrouf and Mohamed Elomar had been killed by drone strikes while fighting with Islamic State in Iraq.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-21/australian-pilots-flying-armed-drone-strikes-middle-east-uk/100999702
#16119108 at 2022-04-21 08:36:20 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #22: THIS IS NOT ANOTHER 3-YEAR ELECTION Edition
>>16047451
>>16104792
Solomon Islands MP defends military pact with China by comparing it to secretive Pine Gap facility in NT
Stephen Dziedzic and Andrew Greene - 21 April 2022
A key Solomon Islands politician has likened his country's secretive military pact with China to the mysterious Pine Gap installation jointly operated by the United States and Australia.
Danny Philip, a former Solomon Islands prime minister and confidante of current leader Manasseh Sogavare, staunchly defended the yet-to-be-published agreement with Beijing, arguing public approval for the document was not needed.
He also confirmed that the final text of the deal signed with China was "very close" to the wide-ranging leaked draft which stoked deep alarm in both Canberra and Washington.
This week's revelation that China and Solomon Islands had finally signed the pact has caused a political storm in Australia, with Labor accusing the Prime Minister of presiding over the biggest Australian foreign policy failure in the Pacific since World War II.
"The agreement was signed and drawn up very much for the eyes of the government, an executive decision," Mr Philip declared during an online seminar hosted on Thursday.
"In matters of national security there are some things which do not need to ... have the whole country's legitimacy, in terms of national security," he told the event, hosted by the University of Hawaii.
Defending his government's lack of transparency on the Chinese deal, Mr Philip compared the arrangement to the highly secretive Pine Gap American satellite surveillance base hosted just outside Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.
"People in Australia know very little about Pine Gap in the middle of the desert, the military base of the United States.
"There are agreements that open up all major ports in Australia that are not being seen by all the citizens of that country."
The comments by a powerful government MP and former leader will solidify anxieties in the Australian government, which fears vague and broadly-worded language in the security agreement could pave the way for a Chinese military presence in Solomon Islands.
According to a draft of the deal leaked last month, Beijing would be able to send military forces to Solomon Islands to protect Chinese-built infrastructure, as well as "make ship visits, carry out logistical replenishment in and have stopover and transition in Solomon Islands".
Mr Philip also repeated the claim that Australian forces had refused to guard Chinese infrastructure during the riots which exploded in November last year in Honiara.
Australian officials have furiously denied that assertion in the past, pointing out that Australian police and ADF personnel had been sent to the Solomons as part of a broader regional security force under the command of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.
"A very senior diplomat from the Australian High Commission said very plainly to us that their presence here is not to protect any Chinese interests," Mr Philip said.
"As a government we know it was said to us in no certain terms that they are here not to protect Chinese investments [or] Chinese infrastructure.
"So that gives rise to other considerations in the mind of the Solomon Islands government to get the Chinese police to come in to train our own police."
When pressed whether the agreement was then chiefly to protect Chinese investments in the country more than protecting Solomon Islands citizens, Mr Philip said it was for "both".
"It is both for our own security as a country internally but also for the interests of Chinese investments and infrastructure."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-21/china-solomon-islands-agreement-australia/101005022
#16065990 at 2022-04-13 09:26:10 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #22: THIS IS NOT ANOTHER 3-YEAR ELECTION Edition
>>16065928
Australia's Pacific Minister Zed Seselja urges Solomon Islands Prime Minister not to sign China security deal
Andrew Greene - 13 April 2022
Australia's Minister for the Pacific has used a visit to Solomon Islands in the middle of the federal election campaign to "respectfully" urge the country's Prime Minister not to sign a controversial security deal with China.
Senator Zed Seselja travelled to Honiara - with Labor's support during the caretaker period - to directly press the government's concerns over an agreement that could allow a Chinese military presence close to Australia.
In a statement after his meeting with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Senator Seselja said Australia remained committed to supporting Solomon Islands to meet its security needs "swiftly, transparently and with full respect for its sovereignty".
Senator Seselja said Australia had been a "strong partner" to Solomon Islands for many years, supporting its security needs through the recent Solomons International Assistance Force and, earlier, through the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.
"We have asked Solomon Islands, respectfully, to consider not signing the agreement and to consult the Pacific family in the spirit of regional openness and transparency, consistent with our region's security frameworks," Senator Seselja said.
Speaking to the ABC after his meeting, Senator Seselja added that it was a "frank" discussion with Mr Sogavare.
"We've had a dialogue," he said.
"We expressed our view and our concern.
"We maintain that Australia can fill the security needs [of Solomon Islands], and the region. Working together, we can make sure that all of the security needs of the Solomon Islands are taken care of."
An overseas trip by a minister during an election's "caretaker" period is considered unusual and highlights the growing anxiety in Australia over the soon-to-be-signed deal between China and Solomon Islands.
Under a leaked draft of the document, Beijing could be allowed to station navy ships and defence personnel to protect billions of dollars in Chinese infrastructure investment in the developing country
Earlier today, Prime Minister Scott Morrison dismissed suggestions that his government had dropped the ball on its relationship with Solomon Islands after a leaked draft of the security pact took Australia by surprise.
Mr Morrison insisted Australia continued to work closely with Honiara, despite the Australian government currently operating in caretaker mode during the election campaign.
"We will continue to work through these sensitive issues as a Pacific Islands family," Mr Morrison said.
"The suggestion that Australia should be heavy-handed on these matters is wrongheaded and completely misunderstands how these matters should be handled."
Visiting US Marines boss warns 'geography matters'
The visiting Commandant of the US Marine Corp, David Berger, has highlighted the geographic importance of Solomon Islands, while warning the West is failing to block China's gradual advances across the Indo-Pacific.
"You could argue that the approaches that we've taken in the last 10 years are not working out here," General Berger said in an appearance at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
"They're moving forward. They're not picking a fight. They're achieving their objectives. We're not successfully deterring it because - what some people call grey-zone or however you want to call it - we haven't figured out quite how to stop that."
General Berger also highlighted the modern-day strategic importance of Solomon Islands, pointing to its significance during the pivotal World War II Battle of Guadalcanal.
"Where the Solomon Islands are, matters," he said. "It did then. It does now.
"The Solomon Islands, their location matters. It's clearly a point of contention and competition."
Asked whether Australia had failed, diplomatically, to stop the proposed Chinese security deal, General Berger responded: "It's not for me to judge pass or fail. It does highlight the strategic location of places in the Pacific for sure," he said.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-13/pacific-minister-solomon-islands-china-security-deal/100989656
https://twitter.com/ZedSeselja/status/1513999519083790336
https://twitter.com/ChiefAusArmy/status/1514112226243715073
#16047451 at 2022-04-10 07:46:14 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #22: THIS IS NOT ANOTHER 3-YEAR ELECTION Edition
Top US official Kurt Campbell reportedly heading to Solomon Islands to discuss Chinese security pact concerns
Andrew Greene - 9 April 2022
United States President Joe Biden is reportedly dispatching one of his top officials to Solomon Islands as concerns grow over a soon-to-be-signed security pact with China.
Last month, a senior Australian defence figure warned that a Chinese naval presence in the strategically located Pacific nation would "change the calculus" for Australia's military.
This week, two of Australia's top intelligence officials, Australian Secret Intelligence Service boss Paul Symon, and the Director-General of the Office of National Intelligence, Andrew Shearer, met with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
Kurt Campbell - who serves as the US National Security Council Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific - will now also travel to the tiny Pacific nation in April, according to the Financial Times.
According to the Financial Times, Mr Campbell will be accompanied by a top State Department official, Daniel Kritenbrink, for the visit.
Under a leaked draft of the China-Solomon Islands deal, Beijing would be allowed to station navy ships and defence personnel to protect billions of dollars in Chinese infrastructure investment in the developing country.
On Tuesday, the Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Admiral Sameul J Paparo, criticised the potential security pact, describing it as a "secret" arrangement that worried America and its partners.
Dutton says China's assurances are not sincere
Australia's Defence Minister, Peter Dutton, says China's assurances that it was not seeking to establish a military port less than 2,000 kilometres from Australia were not credible.
"At the moment, they're telling the Solomon Islands government that there won't be a military port in the Solomon Islands. I doubt that very much, and I don't think it's sincere, and I think it's propaganda that should be called out," Mr Dutton said.
Mr Dutton, however, declined to say whether he or any other government frontbenchers had recently spoken to any Solomon Islands leaders about Australia's concerns.
"As you know, the Director of National Security and the head of ASIS have most recently been in speaking [to] Prime Minister Sogavare," Mr Dutton told reporters in Townsville.
"There's been a lot of contact through our High Commissioner and through DFAT, and at the [Federal] Police Commissioner level, and many other ways in which we've been able to reach in, both in private and some of which has been disclosed publicly."
Last month, in an address to the Solomon Islands parliament, Mr Sogavare declared that there was no plan to allow China to build a naval or military base in his country, saying the suggestion was "misinformation".
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-09/us-official-reportedly-heading-to-solomon-islands-china-security/100979898
#16014957 at 2022-04-05 07:58:56 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #21: MIL-CIV ALLIANCE Edition
>>15939896
US admiral lashes 'concerning' Solomon Islands security pact with China
Jade Macmillan and Andrew Greene - 5 April 2022
1/2
A top American admiral has criticised a potential security pact between China and Solomon Islands, describing it as a "secret" arrangement worrying the US and its partners.
Australia has warned that a Chinese naval base in the Pacific nation, less than 2,000 kilometres from the Queensland coast, would "change the calculus" for the Australian Defence Force.
Those sentiments have now been backed by the Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Admiral Samuel J Paparo, who said he was "undoubtedly concerned" about the situation.
"There is still a path ahead. But anytime that a secret security arrangement makes its way into the light of day, it is a concern," he told the ABC in Washington DC, during an event with foreign journalists.
"And it's a concern for all of our partners throughout the western Pacific and notably, Australia, New Zealand.
"And so that revealed security arrangement in the Solomons is very concerning to us."
Last week Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare lashed out at critics of the draft Chinese security saying their comments were "insulting".
Mr Sogavare said the deal was "ready to be signed" but insisted existing security arrangements with Australia would be maintained and there were no plans to allow a Chinese military base.
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape has also weighed into the controversy over the security agreement.
Australia has been trying to rally Pacific Island states to press Solomon Islands over the pact, with Scott Morrison ringing regional heavyweights including Mr Marape and Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama to express concern.
Mr Marape told the ABC that PNG and other Pacific states were "conscious of what's taking place" in Solomon Islands, and he had had "conversations" with his Solomon Islands counterpart.
He said Mr Sogavare assured him there were no plans for China to establish a military base in the country, and that the agreement was focused on offering police support.
But Mr Marape also suggested that Papua New Guinea and other Pacific countries were in the best position to provide police support, saying "we stand ready to work side by side in upskilling and training police [and] having more police engagements … into Solomon Islands if they require help".
Australian and Papuan police are already in Honiara as part of a regional police mission to help stabilise the country in the wake of the riots last year.
(continued)
#15932409 at 2022-03-24 09:49:29 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #21: MIL-CIV ALLIANCE Edition
>>15911774
US Space Force chief appointed by former president Donald Trump wants closer Australian cooperation
Andrew Greene - 24 March 2022
The general chosen by former US president Donald Trump to establish the United States Space Force says his nation would be very willing to help Australia do the same.
US Chief of Space Operations General John Raymond is visiting Australia to hold talks with Defence officials on closer cooperation, as concerns grow over the activities of China and Russia far above Earth.
"I'm very comfortable that we're the best in the world in space, I'm very comfortable that we can protect and defend our capabilities today," General Raymond said on the sidelines of the Air and Space Conference in Canberra.
"The reason why we established a Space Force and the reason why these partnerships are so important to us is we want to move fast; we want to stay ahead of those threats."
Established in 2019, the US Space Force now boasts around 7,000 uniformed personnel, known as "guardians", and another 7,000 civilians.
This week, Australia's Defence Space Command formally began operating, with Defence Minister Peter Dutton flagging that it would eventually become a fully-fledged Space Force, similar to the United States, where it is a standalone military service.
Australia and the United States have identified Russia and China as the main threats in space, with both nations demonstrating their ability to destroy satellites in recent years.
"We don't think it's safe and professional for China to use their DN-1 weapons system and blow up a satellite or Russia to do the same thing," General Raymond warned.
"We don't think it's safe and professional for countries to put capabilities that are concerning in close proximity to other countries' satellites in the domain."
General Raymond said the United States would be "absolutely" happy to help Australia also take a further leap into the emerging military domain.
He said the main focus for America and its partners was on resilience and a pivot away from current cutting-edge satellites that were built for "a different domain".
"We want to be partners in any way we can be helpful, as we've been in the past, and as Australia is to us, we want to be helpful," he said.
Space law expert Steven Freeland, who is this week travelling to Vienna to co-chair United Nations working groups on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, believes establishing a strong global consensus on how nations should operate in space is essential.
"Nobody wins in a space war, and everybody loses," he said.
"And I think that's a powerful message that no doubt people understand but don't necessarily espouse publicly given the geopolitical times."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-24/us-space-force-chief-wants-closer-australian-cooperation/100934646
#15911815 at 2022-03-21 17:32:09 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #21: MIL-CIV ALLIANCE Edition
>>15911774
Defence Minister Peter Dutton flags future US-style Space Force for Australia
Andrew Greene - 22 March 2022
The Australian military's new Space Command will formally begin operating on Tuesday, with Defence Minister Peter Dutton flagging a possible US-style Space Force in the future.
In a speech to the Air and Space Power Conference on Tuesday, Peter Dutton will warn "space is becoming more congested and is already contested" with Russia and China developing hypersonic missiles capable of travelling faster than 6,000 kilometres per hour.
Twelve months ago, the Royal Australian Air Force confirmed plans to follow other nations by establishing a new military Space Command, which is now officially beginning operations.
While acknowledging the new Space Command is "modest" compared to similar, well-established bodies operated by Australia's allies, including the US Space Force established by Donald Trump in 2019, Mr Dutton will argue it is a "necessary endeavour with a view to protecting our national interests and our need for a Space Force in the future".
Space Command, which is headed by Air Vice-Marshal Cath Roberts, comprises personnel from the three armed services, Defence public servants, and industry contractors, working alongside the Australian Space Agency.
"Together with like-minded partners and the United Nations, Australia has long championed the responsible and peaceful use of outer space in accordance with international norms," Mr Dutton will tell the industry conference in Canberra.
According to remarks distributed ahead of his speech, Mr Dutton will discuss the "growing importance" of hypersonic missiles (missiles which are initially launched into space) as well as space-based satellite communications, in future warfare.
"While space is primarily a civil domain - to support navigation, communication networks, financial systems, scientific enterprises, weather forecasting, and disaster response - it will undoubtedly become a domain which takes on greater military significance in the 21st century," Mr Dutton will say during his keynote address.
"Russia and China are already developing hypersonic missiles which can travel at more than 6,000 kilometres per hour."
Just last week Russia announced it had used its latest hypersonic missile for the first time in combat, during its invasion of Ukraine.
In a separate speech in Sydney on Tuesday, Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews will confirm Australian intelligence agencies have been closely monitoring Russia's involvement in malicious cyber security incidents that are occurring as a result of the invasion of Ukraine.
"Following Russian aggression against Ukraine, it is a sad reality that there is a heightened cyber threat environment globally, and the risk of cyber attacks on Australian networks, either directly or inadvertently, has increased," Ms Andrews will say.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-21/defence-dutton-flags-future-trump-space-force/100927320
#15896950 at 2022-03-19 12:07:57 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #21: MIL-CIV ALLIANCE Edition
>>15819099
ADF members subjected to verbal abuse from residents during NSW flood recovery efforts
Andrew Greene and Siobhan Heanue - 19 March 2022
Military personnel helping flood-affected communities have been verbally abused by some residents, and in one case a soldier was allegedly spat on, in behaviour described as "regrettable" by the Australian Defence Force.
The head of the NSW State Emergency Service's Northern Command, Steve Patterson, told the ABC he was frustrated at so-called social media influencers and members of the public who had unfairly criticised soldiers in uniform.
Chief Superintendent Patterson, who also previously served in the ADF, said many of the local military reserve personnel working under him had also lost property during the floods.
"A Defence member that I've been working with quite closely right throughout the flood, who was in Lismore in uniform, was spat upon by a member of the public," he said.
"That's just behaviour that is almost beyond my understanding at any point, but let alone when these members have been out there working so hard."
Over recent weeks there has been heavy criticism over the time taken for the military to respond to the flood disaster, with state and federal government figures blaming each other for not deploying ADF resources earlier.
Several soldiers, who spoke to the ABC on the condition of anonymity, described incidents of flood victims in the Northern Rivers taking their personal frustrations out on men and women in uniform.
Videos posted online by Instagram users with thousands of followers have also featured vision of deployed ADF personnel along with derogatory comments about their work ethic.
In an Instagram story created by a popular Gold Coast entrepreneur, soldiers were pictured walking in uniform with an accompanying caption stating: "Sadly no help from the army - not a sign of dirt."
"All fun and games for them. Did not see them interacting with a single local," the high-profile influencer claimed in her post.
Another widely viewed video featured a woman driving past soldiers who appear to be taking a break by the side of a road, who then sarcastically tells them: "Great job guys - smoko!"
Chief Superintendent Patterson said he was worried about the mental health impacts of the emerging negative attitude towards emergency responders, and urged critics to carefully reflect on their words.
"I would just ask them if they have a platform, if they have a profile, just to reflect on the fact that the tone and the content of the information that is being put out there can have a really profound effect on people who are just really working their guts out," he said.
"I fully understand that the people impacted by these disasters, there will be anger, there will be grief, that is a completely normal response to what they've been through."
Lieutenant Colonel Susana Fernandez, who commands the Army Reserve's 41st Battalion based in East Lismore, told ABC North Coast earlier this week that some of her troops had been "getting a bit of negative feedback from the locals that's really not fair".
"Soldiers were there on the ground at the beginning, and I just hope people appreciate that when they meet a soldier in uniform who might be driving home, going to the shops, picking up fuel, picking up kids from school - that they thank them," she said.
In a statement to the ABC, the Defence Department said it was "aware of reports of regrettable behaviour directed at ADF personnel supporting flood response and recovery efforts in northern New South Wales by a small number of community members".
"While there is no place for such behaviour anywhere in the community, we acknowledge this has been an extremely difficult time for those affected by this significant flooding event."
"The ADF is proud to serve the community and grateful for the positive response our personnel have received from a broad sector of the communities we are supporting."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-19/adf-members-abused-nsw-flood-cleanup-recovery/100903388
#15827076 at 2022-03-10 08:32:24 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #21: MIL-CIV ALLIANCE Edition
Defence to grow to largest size since Vietnam War, increasing by nearly 20,000 people by 2040
Andrew Greene - 10 March 2022
Australia's military will move towards a wartime footing under government plans to boost the number of uniformed personnel to almost 80,000 by 2040, amid strategic risks posed by China and Russia.
The proposed $38 billion expansion would see the full-time Australian Defence Force grow to a size not seen since the Vietnam War, requiring its biggest recruitment effort in 40 years.
Under the massive expansion to be unveiled by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Defence Minister Peter Dutton at Brisbane's Gallipoli Barracks on Thursday, the total number of Defence employees, including civilians, would rise to more than 101,000.
According to the government, the additional 18,500 uniformed personnel is 6,000 more than the "critical minimum" recommended by Defence to provide "redundancy and resilience", that is to cover casualties from armed conflict.
It says the personnel numbers are in line with the direction of the 2020 Force Structure Plan (FSP), and detailed planning has been underway since the National Security Committee of cabinet approved the policy last November.
More soldiers, sailors and aviators are needed to operate new military capability, including promised nuclear-powered submarines, Hunter-class frigates and advanced long-range and defensive missile systems.
Emerging battlefront domains such as space, information and cyber warfare are also a focus of the planned expansion of the ADF.
Against the backdrop of war in Ukraine and growing tensions with China, Mr Morrison has identified national security as a key battleground for his re-election bid, arguing the "first priority of my government is to keep Australians safe".
"To do that we need a bigger ADF with more soldiers, sailors and airmen and women to operate the cutting-edge capabilities we're getting to protect Australia," Mr Morrison said.
"You can't flick a switch to increase your army, navy and air force overnight. Growing the type of people and skills we need to face the threats of the future takes time, so we must start now so critical skills can be taught and experience gained."
Mr Dutton said the massive workforce boost was needed to build a credible military force that could protect Australia's strategic interests.
"This growth in workforce and expertise will enable us to deliver our nuclear-powered submarines, ships, aircraft and advanced weapons," Mr Dutton said.
Inside military ranks, there are doubts the ADF will be able to attract the massive numbers of new personnel needed, given even current recruitment and retention targets are struggling to be met.
Over recent years, there has been an increasing reliance on the military during natural disasters and Defence chiefs are concerned more pressure will be placed on their men and women because of climate change.
As part of the workforce expansion, there appears to be no plans to establish a dedicated disaster relief service inside Defence, or any boost to ADF reserve numbers.
In the shorter term, 800 more uniformed ADF personnel, 250 public servants and an unspecified number of Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) personnel will be added by 2024.
Of the three services, Navy will require the largest workforce boost in coming years to meet the growth in surface vessels and future nuclear-powered submarines, with submariner numbers alone needing to grow from a current figure of 900 to at least 2,300.
In a speech on Thursday, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese will stress that Labor has offered bipartisan support for increased defence spending and recognises it will need to go beyond a 2 per cent of GDP benchmark.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-10/defence-workforce-growing-2040-national-security/100896902
#15802890 at 2022-03-07 08:19:07 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #21: MIL-CIV ALLIANCE Edition
>>15795585
PM says no nuclear submarine decision before election, as new subs base planned for Australia's east coast
Andrew Greene - 7 March 2022
1/2
The Prime Minister has denied the nuclear submarine program is being rushed to suit his re-election campaign ahead of a May poll, as the government announces a new base for the fleet on the east coast.
A new submarine base will be built on Australia's east coast to support the future nuclear-powered fleet being acquired under the AUKUS partnership, with Defence identifying Brisbane, Newcastle and Port Kembla as the most suitable locations.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiled the plan in a national security speech today, where he warned the strategic, political, economic and social implications of Russia's invasion of Ukraine would "inevitably stretch to the Indo-Pacific".
Some critics, including former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, questioned whether the massive project was being rushed to benefit the government in the coming election, after Defence Minister Peter Dutton said a fast-tracked decision on a supplier was expected within months.
But Mr Morrison poured cold water on the prospect of an announcement before voters go to the polls, saying the decision on whether to pursue a US or UK design would be made in partnership with both nations.
"We don't anticipate that decision will be made before the election ... and no-one should expect it to," Mr Morrison said.
"This is a trilateral partnership, this is not a procurement contest - this is a partnership where the decisions are made together.
"But we have made a lot of progress."
Port Kembla the favourite for new base
Australia's fleet of six Collins-class submarines are currently based at Perth's HMAS Stirling (Fleet Base West), while the ageing boats also regularly operate out of Sydney's Garden Island Naval base (Fleet Base East).
During an address to the Lowy Institute, Mr Morrison confirmed the government has decided to establish "a future submarine base on the east coast of Australia to support basing and disposition of the future nuclear-powered submarines".
"This is about additional national capacity, not relocating any existing or planned future capacity for Fleet Base West," Mr Morrison said in a virtual address from Kirribilli House, where he remains in isolation with COVID-19.
"Fleet Base West will remain home to our current and future submarines, given its strategic importance on the Indian Ocean."
The ABC understands Port Kembla in the New South Wales city of Wollongong is the preferred option the Defence Department has presented to cabinet's National Security Committee, ahead of Commonwealth negotiations with state governments.
Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the location of the base should be a bipartisan decision.
"I think ideally big announcements like this should be bipartisan if they can be ... this has the potential to span multiple governments and so we'd expect to be briefed on it," Mr Chalmers told Channel Nine.
All three sites are close to sufficient infrastructure and large population centres, and are considered reasonably near Australia's primary maritime training and operational areas, deep water and weapons storage, and loading facilities.
A government source confirmed the Defence Department had recently identified Port Kembla as being the most suitable location, requiring the least amount of additional work.
(continued)
#15708071 at 2022-02-24 08:39:21 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #21: MIL-CIV ALLIANCE Edition
Chinese police begin work in Solomon Islands to maintain law and order, as Australian officials watch closely
Andrew Greene - 24 February 2022
A team of Chinese police officers has begun work in Solomon Islands, two months after the tiny Pacific nation accepted Beijing's offer to help restore law and order following recent anti-government demonstrations.
The unit, known as the People's Republic of China Public Security Bureau's Solomon Islands Policing Advisory Group, consists of about nine officers who will train local police to improve their "anti-riot capabilities".
Late last year Beijing announced the Solomon Islands government had agreed to accept its offer of anti-riot equipment and training, in a move which appeared to catch Australian officials off guard and cause some anxiety in Canberra.
In November Australia was among the first countries to provide assistance to the troubled government of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, dispatching 73 Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers and 43 defence force personnel to the Solomons' capital Honiara.
The Australian deployment followed days of unrest which saw buildings, including a police station, set on fire as protesters vented their fury over government services and corruption, as well as moves to align the Solomon Islands more closely with China.
China's embassy in Solomon Islands says it will work with its new advisory group to "continuously strengthen communication with the police, steadily promote the training and assistance to the police under the epidemic situation and further deepen bilateral police cooperation".
In a statement, it added the unit would also "cooperate with the embassy to conduct visits, and safety training for overseas Chinese and Chinese-funded enterprises, so as to effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens and overseas Chinese".
The head of the public security bureau team is Zhang Guangbao, who is currently the peacekeeping police captain in Beijing's Ministry of Public Security, and who previously served in Liberia.
This week members of the Chinese police advisory group were released from a lengthy mandatory quarantine stay in Solomon Islands and met Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Commissioner Mostyn Mangau.
Diplomatic figures, who spoke to the ABC on the condition of anonymity, said Australian officials were closely watching the Chinese police deployment, with some officials expressing concern it could even pave the way for military cooperation.
Earlier this month during a visit to Fiji, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced plans to open an American embassy in Solomon Islands.
The US closed its embassy in Honiara in 1993. It is now represented by a consulate there, with an embassy in the Papua New Guinea capital of Port Moresby.
In 2019 Mr Sogavare's government decided to formally cease diplomatic recognition of Taiwan, a move that angered many opposition supporters in Solomon Islands.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-24/chinese-police-land-in-solomon-islands-month-after-riots/100855948
#15665139 at 2022-02-19 13:51:40 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #21: MIL-CIV ALLIANCE Edition
Chinese navy ship accused of 'unsafe' act after pointing laser at Australian defence aircraft
MELISSA IARIA - FEBRUARY 19, 2022
A Chinese navy ship has used a laser on an Australian defence aircraft in flight, in what has been described as a "serious safety incident" that vindicates concern about the increased military presence close to Australia.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) said the Australian aircraft detected the laser coming from a Chinese vessel on Thursday while it was flying along Australia's northern approaches.
"Acts like this have the potential to endanger lives," the ADF said in a statement on Saturday night.
The Chinese vessel, in company with another People's Liberation Army - Navy (PLA-N) ship, was sailing east through the Arafura Sea, located between northern Australia and Western New Guinea, at the time of the incident.
The Luyang-class guided missile destroyer, which is armed with surface-to-air missiles, was travelling with a Yuzhao-class amphibious transport dock.
The ADF said its P-8A Poseidon detected a laser illuminating the aircraft while in flight over Australia's northern approaches on February 17.
"The laser was detected as emanating from a People's Liberation Army - Navy (PLA-N) vessel," the ADF said in a statement.
"Illumination of the aircraft by the Chinese vessel is a serious safety incident."
The head of Australian National University's National Security College, Professor Rory Medcalf said that the incident raised " important international security questions and vindicates concern about increasing presence of Chinese military close to Australia".
"Would Chinese forces have reacted with such restraint if a foreign navy had committed this dangerous act in China's maritime approaches?" he tweeted.
ABC defence correspondent Andrew Greene noted in a tweet that ADF assets had been increasingly targeted like this in recent years, but "this incident occurred very close to the Australian coast (inside EEZ) and involved a military vessel and military grade laser which had capability to take out aircraft sensors".
The ADF condemned the actions as "unprofessional and unsafe" military conduct.
"These actions could have endangered the safety and lives of the ADF personnel," it said.
"Such actions are not in keeping with the standards we expect of professional militaries.
"We strongly condemn unprofessional and unsafe military conduct."
The vessel and the other PLA-N ship it was travelling in company with have since transited through the Torres Strait and are in the Coral Sea, the ADF said.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/chinese-navy-ship-accused-of-unsafe-act-over-lasing-of-adf-plane/news-story/57db190ed8495acf78a977c487df1f32
#15648219 at 2022-02-17 07:59:52 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #21: MIL-CIV ALLIANCE Edition
Visiting US General Charles Flynn endorses Australia's new multi-billion-dollar American tanks
Andrew Greene - 17 February 2022
One of America's most senior generals is strongly backing Australia's decision to spend billions of dollars on new army fighting vehicles and tanks, saying they will be crucial for any major future conflicts.
Commander of US Army Pacific General Charles Flynn has flown to Canberra, where he is promoting closer cooperation with like-minded nations such as Australia to provide a "powerful counterweight" to any threats posed by China in the region.
Last month, Defence Minister Peter Dutton confirmed $3.5 billion would be spent on more than 120 tanks and other armoured vehicles from the US, to upgrade Army's existing Abrams.
The federal government is soon also expected to unveil the winning design for the Australian Army's new Infantry fighting vehicles, worth between $18 billion and $27 billion.
As concerns grow over China's growing military might, some defence experts have questioned the need for such large spending programs on armoured vehicles, arguing the money could be better spent on more missiles, fighter aircraft and submarines.
Speaking alongside Australia's Army Chief, Lieutenant General Rick Burr, the visiting US General, argued strongly in favour of armoured land forces.
"I believe that in the future for a peer, or near-peer fight, that the impact of combined arms manoeuvre, particularly in dense urban areas, you're gonna want armour forces, you're gonna need tanks," General Flynn said.
He continued: "And so I think that combined arms manoeuvre of both over-the-shoulder attack aviation, light infantry, motorised infantry and armour forces are absolutely critical today, and they're going to be that way into the future."
The Australian Army Chief agreed modernisation of his armoured forces was crucial and interoperability with the United States was constantly improving.
"Armies operate on the land where people are aware - it's a complex environment, urban terrain, all sorts of terrain, and our troops need to be protected and our troops operate as part of a combined arms system," General Burr said.
"And the most protected and most lethal part of that system is the tank. So it's organic to that system so that you can operate in the most difficult areas and make sure our troops can achieve their mission."
As part of everything that we're doing there is an eye to what we call human-machine teaming - so robotics and autonomous systems working in conjunction with our manned systems to give us more scale, more mass, more effects over a broader area."
General Flynn, the younger brother of former president Donald Trump's first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, said he wanted to see closer cooperation with Australia and others in training exercises such as the biennial Talisman Sabre.
"Create opportunities for multiple countries to come together to again deepen our relationships, seek opportunities for interoperability and I think that that is a powerful counterweight to some of the destabilising activities that do happen in the region," he said.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-17/us-general-charles-flynn-endorse-new-tanks/100838958
#15640432 at 2022-02-16 09:27:16 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #21: MIL-CIV ALLIANCE Edition
>>15640390
Australia looks to landlocked Czech Republic to win European support for contentious AUKUS submarine plan
Andrew Greene and Stephen Dziedzic - 16 February 2022
Stunning gothic architecture, a medieval Old Town square and the historic Charles Bridge typically draw millions of tourists to Prague each year and, for the first time in almost 20 years, an Australian foreign minister will soon get a chance to experience the picturesque city on an official visit.
The ABC can reveal that Foreign Minister Marise Payne will fly to the Czech capital next week for a visit, where discussions will focus on shared concerns, such as cyber security and the growing fear of war in Ukraine.
Diplomatic sources say they are hopeful the landlocked, former Cold War foe could help Australia's efforts in Europe to fight back against Beijing's efforts to stymie the controversial AUKUS nuclear submarine plan.
Last week the ABC revealed that Australia is bulking-up specialised diplomatic teams in both Canberra and Vienna to win international acceptance for the AUKUS initiative as it braces for a massive "disinformation" campaign from China as well as Russia.
A public announcement of Senator Payne's Prague stopover is yet to be made, as diplomats work to confirm meetings with key figures in the new Czech government led by its Prime Minister, Petr Fiala.
Closer cooperation on cyber security is expected to be discussed by Senator Payne, as well as concerns over Chinese and Russian foreign interference operations, and the growing military ties between those two military powers.
Czech officials have privately claimed credit for helping convince some European nations to back a campaign to have former finance minister Mathias Cormann elected as the new head of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Last month, the Czech ambassador to Canberra lodged a diplomatic protest with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade after tennis player Renata Vor?cov? was deported, ahead of the Australian Open.
Concerns over Russia and China front of mind during European visit
Alexander Downer was the last Australian foreign minister to visit the Czech Republic in 2005, when questions about the Iraq War dominated.
However, in 2022, concerns over a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine are top of mind.
Since the Velvet Revolution, Czech lawmakers have remained wary of Moscow's continued efforts to interfere in the small NATO member's affairs, but in recent years there has been growing alarm about Chinese Communist Party's influence.
Last year the Czech Republic expelled dozens of Russian diplomats and their families after accusing Moscow of deploying intelligence agencies to carry out two explosions at a military arms depot in 2014.
Tensions between the Czech Republic and China also flared last year when the Taiwanese Foreign Minister, Joseph Wu, was welcomed by legislators to the central European nation's parliament.
Senator Payne will also travel to Germany to attend the high-profile Munich Security Conference, which brings together political leaders and top officials from around the region.
While the conference will focus on a broader array of security challenges, this year's event is likely to be consumed by discussions about whether Russia is on the brink of invading Ukraine and how NATO can deter Moscow.
Ahead of her arrival in Prague, the Foreign Minister will visit Paris, where the government is still smarting at Australia's decision last year to scrap the $90 billion French submarine project, in favour of a yet-to-be-chosen nuclear powered fleet.
During her brief stopover in Paris, Senator Payne will attend a meeting of Indo-Pacific foreign ministers organised by the French government.
The trip may also offer Senator Payne a chance to begin patching-up ties with France, although it is not yet clear if she has secured any bilateral meetings with her French counterparts.
The Foreign Minister was expected to visit Thailand on her way home, but she told Senate Estimates that leg of the trip was no longer occurring.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-16/foreign-minister-to-visit-czech-republic-over-ukraine-submarines/100832342
#15631870 at 2022-02-15 09:46:05 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #21: MIL-CIV ALLIANCE Edition
>>15592354
Labor senator Kimberley Kitching names billionaire Chau Chak Wing as 'puppeteer' in foreign interference plot
Andrew Greene - 15 February 2022
A federal senator has used parliamentary privilege to suggest a prominent Chinese-Australian political donor is the mysterious "puppeteer" behind a thwarted foreign interference plot to back political candidates in the next election.
During a Senate estimates hearing, Labor senator Kimberley Kitching alleged the wealthy businessman behind the recent overseas conspiracy was property developer Chau Chak Wing.
Dr Chau has denied the claim, labelling it "baseless and reckless".
Her comments follow last week's revelation from ASIO boss Mike Burgess that his security agency recently blocked an overseas-funded operation to bankroll unsuspecting candidates in an unspecified election.
During his annual threat assessment speech on Wednesday, Mr Burgess declined to name the country behind the conspiracy, or whether it was a federal, state or local election that was targeted.
"I am reliably informed that the puppeteer mentioned in your case study in your annual threat assessment speech given last week is Chau Chak Wing," Senator Kitching told the committee hearing on Monday night.
"I believe it to be Chau Chak Wing. Are you able to confirm that it is Chau Chak Wing?" Senator Kitching asked Mr Burgess.
The ASIO boss told the committee he would not discuss the matter publicly.
"Senator, as I said before, I will not comment on speculation of who is and who isn't targets, in general or in specific, as you are asking me there," Mr Burgess said.
"I think it's unfair that you ask me that question in public."
In a statement, Dr Chau said Senator Kitching had hidden behind the "shield of parliamentary privilege" to vilify and attack him without evidence.
"I am a businessman and philanthropist. I have never had any involvement or interest in interfering with the democratic election process in Australia," Dr Chau said.
"In 2017, the ABC and Nine journalist Nick McKenzie made a similar allegation in a Four Corners report. The Federal Court subsequently awarded me very substantial damages which I donated to charity.
"I invite Senator Kitching to show some courage and integrity by repeating her claim and revealing the sources she says she relied on, outside the parliament."
Dr Chau is an Australian citizen originally from China, who has donated millions of dollars to Australia's major political parties, universities and charities that help veterans.
In 2018, Liberal MP Andrew Hastie also named Dr Chau in parliament as being closely associated with the Chinese Communist Party's lobbying arm, the United Front Work Department, and alleged he was a co-conspirator in an FBI bribery case.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-15/labor-senator-names-chau-chak-wing-interference-plot/100830078
#15600577 at 2022-02-11 11:38:32 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #21: MIL-CIV ALLIANCE Edition
Australia deploys diplomatic resources to fight Chinese and Russian 'disinformation' on AUKUS submarine deal
Andrew Greene and Stephen Dziedzic - 11 February 2022
1/2
Australia is bulking up specialised diplomatic teams in both Canberra and Vienna to win international acceptance for the AUKUS nuclear submarine project as it braces for a massive "disinformation" campaign from China and Russia.
In September last year Australia announced a contentious plan to acquire submarines with nuclear propulsion under a new security partnership with the United Kingdom and United States.
While the main focus has been on the technical challenges facing the ambitious proposal, all three AUKUS nations are now sizing up the formidable regulatory and geopolitical hurdles which also confront them.
One of the key diplomatic battlegrounds will be at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, the intergovernmental organisation which works to regulate the use of nuclear energy and limit the development of nuclear weapons.
Test of international diplomatic efforts
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has confirmed to the ABC that it has deployed "several" additional staff to the AUKUS initiative, including to the Australian permanent mission in Vienna.
DFAT has also been beefing up legal and diplomatic teams in Canberra which have been tasked with tackling the project's legal, regulatory and political repercussions internationally.
The scope and scale of the nuclear submarines plan were always going to place heavy demands on Australia's bureaucracy, but the challenges have been sharpened by the federal government's fraught relationship with China.
Beijing has already furiously criticised the AUKUS submarines plan, and Chinese officials have made it clear they will do everything they can in international organisations like the IAEA to delay or stymie it.
China says AUKUS plan a 'violation' of non-proliferation treaty
At an IAEA board of governors meeting late last year, China's ambassador Wang Qun criticised the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia over AUKUS, declaring the nuclear submarines plan would "spur regional countries to accelerate their development of military capabilities, and even seek to cross the nuclear threshold while increasing the risk of military conflicts".
He also pointed out that Australia would be the first non-nuclear weapons state to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
This is not forbidden under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT), but Mr Wang said it was still an "explicit violation of the object and purposes of the NPT, to the detriment of the international non-proliferation regime".
The ambassador launched an unprecedented bid at the meeting to establish a standalone "special committee" at the IAEA devoted solely to examining the AUKUS arrangement, and he declared that the US, UK and Australia should halt the plan entirely until it had been more closely scrutinised.
(continued)
#15592385 at 2022-02-10 09:18:59 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #21: MIL-CIV ALLIANCE Edition
>>15592354
Dating apps like Tinder and anti-COVID vaccine mandate protests drawing ASIO's attention, according to annual threat assessment
Andrew Greene - 9 February 2022
Foreign spies are using Tinder and other dating apps to recruit Australians with access to sensitive government secrets.
ASIO boss Mike Burgess made the alarming revelation while delivering his annual threat assessment, in which he also warned identifying anti-vaccine activists who could turn violent was proving difficult.
In a wide-ranging address to an audience of military chiefs, security bosses and politicians inside ASIO's Canberra headquarters, Mr Burgess confirmed espionage and foreign interference has now "supplanted" terrorism as the "principal security concern", declaring the recent AUKUS nuclear partnership an obvious target for international agents.
During the past two years, thousands of Australians with access to classified information are believed to have been targeted by foreign intelligence services using social media profiles.
"These spies are adept at using the internet for their recruitment efforts," Mr Burgess said.
"There's been a jump in suspicious approaches on messaging platforms like WhatsApp, for example."
Overseas intelligence operatives are even being monitored by ASIO on popular dating apps as they try to lure Australians with access to official secrets.
"ASIO is also tracking suspicious approaches on dating platforms such as Tinder, Bumble and Hinge," he said.
"My message for any potential victims on these sites is a familiar one - if it seems too good to be true, it probably is."
The Director-General of Security said going online was an easy way for foreign intelligence services to target employees of interest.
"On any of the popular social media or internet platforms, they make seemingly innocuous approaches - such as job offers," Mr Burgess revealed.
"This then progresses to direct messaging on different, encrypted platforms, or in-person meetings, before a recruitment pitch is made."
Foreign interference plot on an unspecified Australian election also revealed
A spy ring led by a wealthy "puppeteer" linked to a foreign government recently attempted to bankroll vulnerable political candidates in an unspecified Australian election, to get sympathetic MPs elected to parliament.
Tantalising but only vague details of the thwarted plot were detailed by the ASIO boss as he warned of the risk of foreign meddling in this year's upcoming federal contest.
A person, who Mr Burgess dubbed "the puppeteer", hired another individual to enable foreign interference operations and used an offshore bank account to provide hundreds of thousands of dollars for operating expenses.
"The employee hired by the puppeteer began identifying candidates likely to run in the election who either supported the interests of the foreign government or who were assessed as vulnerable to inducements and cultivation," he said.
"This year - a federal election year - we need to be particularly on guard against foreign political interference," Mr Burgess said, declining to name specific countries that pose a threat.
Anti-vaccine mandate protesters closely monitored
The Director-General also described how COVID-19 has sent online radicalisation into "overdrive", with isolated individuals spending more time exposed to "extremist messaging, misinformation and conspiracy theories".
"Some Australians believe the government's approach to vaccinations and lockdowns infringed their freedoms. And in a small number of cases, grievance turned to violence," he said.
"In this uptick in specific-issue or grievance-motivated violent extremism, many of the actors are newcomers, so it's harder to get a sense of what is simply big talk - and what is genuine planning for violence."
Over the past week, some protesters in Canberra have been recorded on video calling for violence against elected officials, including the execution of the Prime Minister.
Mr Burgess revealed suspects younger than 18 now make up more than half of ASIO's priority counter-terrorism investigations each week.
"Where once minors tended to be on the fringe of extremist groups, we are now seeing teenagers in leadership positions, directing adults, and willing to take violent action themselves," he said.
"ASIO is aware of minors preying on other minors, seeking to turn them to their violent ideology and using grooming techniques similar to those used by paedophiles."
Following last year's fall of Afghanistan's government to the Taliban, ASIO is continuing to monitor the country closely, warning violent extremists from this region may again travel there for militant training.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-09/asio-threat-assessment-dating-apps-foreign-spies-covid-protests/100817850
#15575149 at 2022-02-08 08:10:50 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #20 - INSURGENCY Edition
>>15575102
Activist who demanded Scott Morrison be sent 'to the gallows' escorted into Parliament House by Craig Kelly
Andrew Greene - 8 February 2022
An Indigenous activist recently filmed calling for the execution of the Prime Minister has been escorted inside Parliament House by former government MP Craig Kelly.
The woman identified online as "Cindy" has joined hundreds of protesters who have rallied outside parliament and other Canberra buildings, calling for an end to vaccine mandates.
In a video posted online this week, the activist warned Scott Morrison "your time is coming - it's the gallows, it's the gallows, it's the gallows".
"When the people win this battle - it's the gallows," she repeated, pointing to the camera while standing outside the Governor-General's residence in Yarralumla.
During the minute-long video, "Cindy" also demands Governor-General David Hurley remove Mr Morrison from office.
"You need to come out and speak to the people, don't be a coward, come and speak to the people, do your job and stand down the 'Crime' Minister," she said.
Before Question Time on Wednesday, "Cindy" and six other protesters were able to enter Parliament House after being escorted into the building by a member of Craig Kelly's staff.
The group included activist Simeon Boikov, the leader of the "Australian Cossacks", a pro-Vladimir Putin organisation.
Once inside Mr Kelly's parliamentary office, the group produced an open letter to the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader and Speaker of the House of Representatives, calling for an end to various COVID-19 health measures.
Their list of demands included ending the state of emergency under the Biosecurity Act, ensuring all State and Territory borders remained open, and compensation for jobs lost due to vaccine mandates.
The ABC has contacted Craig Kelly's office for comment, while ACT Policing declined to say whether the threatening comments directed to the Prime Minister were being investigated.
"ACT Policing is aware of a range of views being expressed by protesters against elected officials, including non-specific threats to parliamentarians and high-office holders," a spokesperson said.
"Where specific credible threats are received, then formal investigations may occur.
"For obvious operational reasons, we do not confirm if a person is the subject of an ongoing police investigation."
Mr Kelly quit the Liberal Party in early 2021 to sit as an independent MP, but has since announced he will run as a candidate for Clive Palmer's United Australia Party at the upcoming federal election.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-08/craig-kelly-escort-activist-parliament-threat-scott-morrison/100814222
#15403917 at 2022-01-18 07:35:49 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #20 - INSURGENCY Edition
Fears Australian writer Yang Hengjun could die in Chinese prison as medical condition worsens
Andrew Greene - 18 January 2022
Friends of an Australian writer detained by China on suspicion of spying fear his deteriorating health could see him eventually die behind bars.
Yang Hengjun has again pleaded his innocence ahead of the third anniversary of his arrest by Chinese authorities at Guangzhou airport in January 2019.
"Sometimes, I'm pessimistic and sometimes, I'm optimistic - I'm confident I didn't do what they said I did," Dr Yang said in a message conveyed to supporters before Christmas from a Beijing prison.
"According to Chinese law, I'm not guilty. But they treat me like dirt here and they tortured me, I don't know why."
Supporters say they are extremely concerned about the democracy advocate's worsening condition and warn the jailed Chinese-born Australian citizen is being denied proper medical treatment.
The 56-year-old is believed to be suffering severe problems with gout, high uric acid, high blood pressure, impaired vision, and dizzy spells.
Recent blood tests have revealed rising levels of creatinine, prompting fears Dr Yang could suffer kidney failure, but a Chinese prison doctor has been unable to provide any treatment or advice on treatment.
Writer calls for Beijing to reveal details of his case
Last year, Dr Yang faced a one-day secret trial in Beijing, but relatives and Australian diplomats were denied access to the closed-court hearing because of apparent COVID-19 restrictions and national security grounds.
A verdict in the case has again been delayed until at least April, with supporters urging he be immediately released on bail for medical treatment, fearing he could die in prison like fellow Chinese dissidents including Liu Xiaobo.
As he awaits a decision by a Chinese judge, the Australian citizen is demanding local authorities "open my case and publish it" to "provide details to the world, the Australian government, and the country".
"We should apply to open the case, and you can see for yourself. They said it's about espionage. I hope it's just about Chinese judicial corruption."
"I have seen news that China is smashing corruption in the legal system. This is just one instance of it," Dr Yang has told family and supporters.
Australian diplomats have had limited access to Dr Yang since he was detained, and he is currently being held in a crowded cell with no sunlight, where lights are kept on all night and detainees share a communal, open toilet and sleep on a hard floor with not enough room to stretch.
The Australian government has repeatedly protested against China's secret handling of Dr Yang's espionage charges, accusing Beijing of "arbitrary detention" of the writer.
Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said the government would continue to advocate for Dr Yang.
"Neither Dr Yang nor the Australian government have been provided with details as to the charges against him or of the investigation, reinforcing our view that this constitutes the arbitrary detention of an Australian citizen," she said.
"We therefore call for Dr Yang's immediate release and his return to Australia.
"Australia is also extremely concerned about Dr Yang's health. We call on Chinese authorities to meet their obligations to ensure that all necessary treatment for his physical and mental health is provided."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-18/yang-hengjun-could-die-in-chinese-prison-supporters-fear/100762112
#15206664 at 2021-12-17 06:38:50 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #20 - INSURGENCY Edition
Faulty Chinese aluminium adds to Navy boat delays, costing extra $44 million
Andrew Greene - 17 December 2021
The Royal Australian Navy expects its new Evolved Cape Class patrol boats could now be delayed by up to nine months, while an extra $44 million will need to be spent keeping its old fleet in the water, after poor-quality aluminium was imported from China.
In March the ABC revealed Australian shipbuilder Austal had detected deficiencies in the material, believed to have been sourced from Wuhan.
At the time Defence said it expected "the scheduled launch dates of all six boats to be delayed by between four and 16 weeks".
Now an Auditor-General's report has revealed the delays have been significantly upgraded to between six and nine months, partly because Austal is also struggling to recruit skilled labour.
"The ANAO's [Australian National Audit Office] comparison of the date ranges provided by Austal against contracted dates indicates that delays of between six and nine months are anticipated for all six boats' acceptance milestones," it said.
According to the ANAO, Austal advised Defence in June of "further schedule delays due to production workforce issues" in the $350 million project.
For the first time Defence has also publicly quantified how much the delays to the Evolved Cape Class patrol boats will cost in terms of keeping older Armidale Class boats in the water.
The ANAO said that in July this year Defence estimated delays would cost an extra $43.9 million.
"This has resulted in the planned extension of service of the Armidale class and a reduced in-service period for the evolved Cape class, demonstrating the consequential effect of project schedule delays to ADF capability and the Australian Government's naval shipbuilding strategy."
Shadow Assistant Defence Minister Pat Conroy criticised the government's handling of the project.
"This, at a time when our nation's security is of critical importance," he said.
"This is an incompetent, wasteful government that cannot deliver Defence projects on time and on budget.
"As always, taxpayers are forced to foot the bill for their stuff-ups, and our Defence personnel are left without the capabilities they need, when they need it."
West Australian-based shipbuilder Austal was awarded the contract to build six of the 58-metre Cape Class vessels to replace the Navy's ageing Armidale Class fleet in May last year.
A month after the ABC revealed problems associated with the imported aluminium, Austal ended its joint venture with a Chinese shipbuilder called Aulong Shipbuilding.
Defence Minister Peter Dutton has been contacted for comment.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-17/faulty-chinese-aluminium-navy-boat-delays/100708910
#15150315 at 2021-12-07 08:18:34 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #19 - THE ONLY WAY IS THE MILITARY Edition
>>15064544
COVID-19 outbreak in South Korea throws President's planned Australia trip into disarray
Andrew Greene - 7 December 2021
Plans for the South Korean President to visit Australia for strategic and economic talks have been thrown into disarray, with his nation battling an outbreak of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
The ABC has learnt President Moon Jae-in is scheduled to arrive in Sydney on Sunday to meet Prime Minister Scott Morrison and visit Canberra to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between both countries.
Senior government sources with knowledge of the South Korean leader's planned itinerary say postponing the trip is being discussed because of the worldwide uncertainty created by the Omicron outbreak.
South Korea's Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum on Monday said his nation would focus on containing the Omicron variant until the end of this year as it started to enforce tightened social distancing measures amid rising daily infections.
Mr Moon's proposed visit was to come ahead of the conclusion of his five-year presidential term in March next year, allowing him the diplomatic freedom to strengthen Australian security ties without causing long-term harm with China.
South Korea is Australia's fourth-largest trading partner, receiving over $25 billion worth of goods and services in 2020, including $18 billion worth of iron ore, coal, natural gas and beef.
Australia is soon expected to announce final approval for a $1.3 billion deal to build South Korean designed self-propelled howitzers in Geelong, in what is believed to be the first major Defence Department contract awarded to an Asian supplier in a decade.
A visit by Mr Moon would also be seen as a boost to the Korean defence supplier Hanwha which is competing for a far more lucrative $30 billion contract to build infantry fighting vehicles for the Australian Army.
During a bilateral meeting in June on the sidelines of the G7 talks in Cornwall, Mr Morrison told Mr Moon he hoped to be "able to welcome you to Australia soon at some point".
The pair also held bilateral talks at the G20 summit in Rome where they agreed to forge a technology partnership on carbon neutrality to bolster cooperation in hydrogen use, solar energy and other low-carbon technologies.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister referred questions about the postponed trip to the South Korean government, but the country's embassy in Canberra declined to comment.
Peter Dean, the chair of Defence Studies at the University of Western Australia, believes the relationship between Australia and South Korea is "important but still underdone".
"Beyond the critical importance of the Korean peninsula for regional security, this year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations," Professor Dean told the ABC.
"This provides an opportunity for even deeper engagement.
"While the fifth bilateral 2+2 consultation in September did improve relations, more can be done to align with the Australian government's aim of 'expanding our defence diplomacy, cooperation and capacity-building activities, including delivering security-related infrastructure'.
"The cancellation of the trip delays what could have been an important next step in security cooperation."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-07/south-korea-covid-outbreak-australia-trip/100678222
#15144383 at 2021-12-06 07:18:42 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #19 - THE ONLY WAY IS THE MILITARY Edition
United States pushes back on New Zealand and other allies' hopes of joining AUKUS
Andrew Greene - 6 December 2021
One of America's most senior military commanders has dismissed suggestions the AUKUS security partnership could soon be expanded to include other allies such as New Zealand or Japan.
The head of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), Admiral John Aquilino, also declared Australia's decision to join the tripartite grouping was driven by a fear of China's rapidly military rise.
In September, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia unveiled the AUKUS deal, which is exploring options on how to replace Australia's ageing Collins-class submarines with a nuclear-powered fleet.
Since the announcement there have been both public and private diplomatic calls to invite other strategic allies into the partnership, with the departing British defence chief even suggesting in October that the grouping was never intended to be exclusive.
Appearing at the Reagan National Defence Forum in California at the weekend, Admiral Aquilino gently pushed back against any talk of an imminent expansion to AUKUS.
"We haven't discussed specifically adding to AUKUS with other nations at this point - but that shouldn't subtract or detract from our ability to execute increased cooperation through other means other than just nuclear propulsion," he said.
While the United States did not see a need to expand AUKUS, the INDOPACOM commander said his nation was: "Ready to take on any of those additional efforts that our partners and allies are interested in and start those discussions."
Admiral Aquilino also discussed Australia's motivations for joining AUKUS, suggesting China's growing dominance was the primary reason.
"That has driven the Australians to assess the capabilities they need, and this was an Australian decision, to be able to invest in a nuclear submarine program, that provides the capabilities they need against the security threats in the region that they see," he said.
"AUKUS is a different and an additional security relationship that will be extremely helpful to keep that peace and prosperity in the region - so I certainly welcome it.
"Australia has made a big step and I think it will increase the security in the region".
When asked whether there were any concerns in the region about the commitment of the United States, the senior naval officer said he had not detected such sentiment during recent meetings with treaty partners.
"For 80 years we have generated the security and prosperity that's existed throughout the Indo-Pacific - the US is a Pacific nation, we've been there, we've been with these allies and partners for all those years.
"Japan, Korea, Thailand, Australia and the Philippines - everything I see from those nations, as well as the rest of the nations in the region, is there is no concern about the strength of the US alliances and partnerships."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-06/united-states-pushes-back-new-zealand-joining-aukus/100677496
#15104897 at 2021-11-30 07:35:24 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #19 - THE ONLY WAY IS THE MILITARY Edition
US military plans for greater presence in Australia as it confronts China's power
Andrew Greene - 30 November 2021
Plans for US military upgrades of Australian defence bases to counter China have been highlighted in a long-awaited Pentagon study, which contains no actual major reshuffling of American forces worldwide.
The Biden administration has released some details of its global posture review, but the Pentagon document overseen by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will remain largely classified.
"In Australia, you'll see new rotational fighter and bomber aircraft deployments, you'll see ground forces training and increased logistics cooperation," US Under Secretary of Defense Mara Karlin told reporters.
"More broadly across the Indo-Pacific, you'll see a range of infrastructure improvements in Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Australia."
Dr Karlin added that the Indo-Pacific region was a major focus of the assessment, because of Mr Austin's emphasis on "China as the pacing challenge" for the department.
Dr Karlin said the previously flagged base upgrades in Australia should "hopefully come to fruition in coming years" and included logistics facilities, fuel storage, munitions storage and airfield upgrades.
The global posture review also directs the department to focus more on the region by "reducing" the number of troops and equipment in other areas of the world, "to enable improved war-fighting readiness and increased activities" in the Indo-Pacific.
Many details about the repositioning of military capabilities were classified and some others had been previously announced, but the review contained no major reshuffling of forces as the US moves to take on Beijing while deterring Russia and fighting terrorism in the Middle East and Africa.
In Washington, defence analysts believe the review's lack of sizeable adjustments to military forces in Asia shows the challenges the US faces in rebalancing resources to confront China while maintaining other global commitments.
Earlier this year, the ABC revealed senior American and Australian officials had discussed options for expanded military cooperation, including a proposal to form a new joint US marines and ADF training brigade based in Darwin.
Australia recently signed on to a strengthened military pact with the US and United Kingdom, known as AUKUS, to improve intelligence and technology sharing between the nations.
The ABC has approached Defence Minister Peter Dutton for comment on the review.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-30/cph-us-plans-upgrades-to-runways-in-australia/100661190
#15025693 at 2021-11-18 08:39:31 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #19 - THE ONLY WAY IS THE MILITARY Edition
Controversial plan for private security to guard secretive naval communications base in WA scrapped
Andrew Greene - 18 November 2021
Defence has scrapped a contentious proposal to use private security personnel to guard one of the country's most secretive and important military facilities, rather than federal police.
Correspondence obtained by the ABC revealed the Defence Department was planning to end a long-standing contract with the AFP to protect the Harold E Holt Naval Communications Station, with a contractor set to take over the role early next year.
Established in the 1960s, the West Australian base, named after former PM Harold Holt, provides Very Low Frequency (VLF) communication transmission services in support of Australian, US and allied submarines.
Last week, around 25 Australian Federal Police officers based at Exmouth were told they would soon be replaced by private security guards, in a move that drew concern from Pentagon officials.
"The AFP has been advised of Defence's intention to cease the AFP's security arrangements at Harold E Holt (HEH) Naval Communications Station, Exmouth, Western Australia," police officers were told at the time.
"Defence intend to transition to a private security provider in early 2022," the AFP's Assistant Commissioner for the Western-Central Command, Chris Craner, said in his message to staff.
"This will result in the closure of the AFP Station in Exmouth. The AFP are working closely with Defence in regards to the exact timeline for major change".
But in a statement issued on Thursday, Defence said the proposal to move to private security arrangements would not proceed.
"Defence and the Australian Federal Police have been reviewing arrangements and security controls at Defence sites including Naval Communications Station Harold E Holt," a Defence spokesperson told the ABC.
"This review is undertaken at regular intervals to ensure appropriate security mechanisms are implemented based on the current threat and risk.
"The AFP will continue to provide an armed security response at Naval Communications Station Harold E Holt and designated Defence sites around Australia."
The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) had expressed shock at the original plan, warning it could have consequences for national security.
AFPA president Alex Caruana wrote to Defence Minister Peter Dutton urging him to intervene to ensure sworn AFP Protective Service Officers stayed on duty at the station.
"We are of this view as a private security provider will not be afforded the powers akin to those afforded to Protective Service Officers under the AFP Act," Mr Caruana said in his letter, which was also sent to members of Federal Parliament's Joint Committee on Security and Intelligence.
"[It] will not have the robust regimes in place to ensure high level of protection and those who provide the protection, and such a provider will not have the ability to access the capabilities, resources, and expertise currently available from the wider AFP.
"The decision has come as a shock to members stationed at Exmouth."
American officials had also privately expressed concerns about the proposal, although the US embassy in Canberra declined to comment publicly.
Gordon Flake, the head of the Perth USAsia Centre at the University of Western Australia, said he believed the Harold E Holt facility would become increasingly important.
"We're at a phase right now if you look at the Defence Strategic Update, if you look at the changing security environment in the world, where Australia should be strengthening its position in its northern and western approaches, and that includes the area around Exmouth where we have existing facilities," he said.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-18/private-security-plan-secret-naval-comms-base-wa-scrapped/100627198
#14885197 at 2021-10-30 11:06:28 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #19 - THE ONLY WAY IS THE MILITARY Edition
Liberal Senator Eric Abetz calls for full diplomatic relations with Taiwan and an end to Australia's 'One China' policy
Andrew Greene - 29 October 2021
The chair of the Senate's foreign affairs committee believes Australia would be "duty bound" to help defend Taiwan in a war with China and is pushing for "full diplomatic relations" with the democratic island amid growing military tensions.
In an escalation of his recent criticisms of Beijing, Liberal Senator Eric Abetz argued Australia should overturn its long-standing and bipartisan "One China" policy, even if it angers this country's largest trading partner.
"I would like to see full diplomatic relations between Australia and Taiwan," Senator Abetz has told the ABC.
"There is just so much in common now between Australia and Taiwan that I believe we should be seeking diplomatic relations.
"The reason we don't have them is that the belligerent dictatorship from Beijing says if you do then that means you can't have diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China".
Australia does not formally recognise Taiwan diplomatically, but the federal government regularly calls for a "peaceful resolution" of differences between China and the small independent nation through dialogue and without the threat or use of force or coercion.
Earlier this month, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu warned the self-governed territory was preparing for war with China and appealed for support from Australia and other nations.
The warning has been echoed this week by Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, who said the threat posed by China was "increasing every day" and Senator Abetz believes if a war were to begin, Australia would be obliged to help a fellow democracy.
"My hope and prayer would be that that never occurs, but one thing Australia has been exceptionally good at is defending our mates and our mates are those that believe in democracy, freedom, the rule of law," Senator Abetz said.
"That is how Taiwan operates, their political, legal culture is so similar to ours, and we are duty bound to protect those who share similar values."
"I think the time has come, especially for the freedom-loving countries of the world to say: 'enough is enough', the idea of unification will only occur with military takeover - something that we will not countenance."
On the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Australian Office in Taipei, Senator Abetz has also suggested a Free Trade Agreement should be struck between both nations.
At an event on Tuesday night to celebrate the milestone, President Tsai Ing-wen thanked Australia for standing up for the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
"Taiwan and Australia are both committed to upholding security, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific," she said.
"Taiwan remains committed to working with our Australian colleagues to safeguard our region and uphold our shared values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-29/liberal-senator-eric-abetz-pushes-for-taiwan-to-be-recognised/100577250
#14825519 at 2021-10-21 07:11:03 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #19 - THE ONLY WAY IS THE MILITARY Edition
>>14789393
British defence chief General Sir Nicholas Carter says AUKUS security pact 'not designed to be exclusive'
Andrew Greene - 21 October 2021
The UK's departing Chief of the Defence Staff has signalled the new trilateral AUKUS security pact with the United States and Australia could be expanded to include other allies such as Japan.
In a wide-ranging discussion at a Washington-based think tank, General Sir Nicholas Carter has reflected on the formation of the new military group which will work to develop a nuclear submarine fleet for Australia.
General Carter has told the Center for a New American Security he believes there are still some "question marks" about information sharing between the AUKUS partners.
"I think like all these things we're going to see how it goes - I mean I think there are some question marks about how we share information and those sorts of things," he said.
"I hope this could act as a catalyst for us all to be a bit more open-minded about how we share information with allies and partners because that would be helpful."
Asked whether countries like Japan feel excluded by the new partnership, General Carter suggested the nation could eventually join, along with remaining Five Eyes partners Canada and New Zealand.
"AUKUS is not designed to be in any way exclusive," General Carter told an online audience.
"It's a first step in terms of industrial development between like-minded partners and I absolutely know that the architects of it reckon that if it could be made more inclusive, if there were opportunities there, then that's the direction of travel it would go."
"The same applies to Five Eyes (the intelligence sharing alliance of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States) and also to other like-minded countries".
Government and diplomatic sources have played down the British general's comments, telling the ABC there are no plans for AUKUS to include any other nations.
During his appearance, the retiring Defence Chief also talked up the United Kingdom's growing military deployments to the Indo-Pacific.
General Carter said the presence of the Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group in the region was "not going to happen every year", but said the UK intends to have two warships operating continuously and have a "littoral strike group from time to time" there.
At the end of November, General Carter will be succeeded as Chief of the Defence Staff by Sir Antony Radakin, a naval officer who was involved in the early discussions that led to the AUKUS agreement.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-21/british-defence-chief-flags-more-potential-aukus-allies/100555416
#14716235 at 2021-10-04 07:02:29 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #18 - Talisman Sabre: MAGIC SWORD Edition
Taiwanese Foreign Minister warns his country is preparing for war with China, asks Australia for help
Andrew Greene and Stan Grant - 4 October 2021
1/2
Taiwan's Foreign Minister warns his nation is preparing for war with China and urges Australia to increase intelligence sharing and security cooperation as Beijing intensifies a campaign of military intimidation.
Dozens of aircraft from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) have flown sorties into Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) since Friday, prompting the self-ruled island to scramble its own military jets.
Speaking to the ABC's China Tonight program, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu declared that if the PLA were to launch an actual strike, his democratic state would be ready to repel it.
"The defence of Taiwan is in our own hands, and we are absolutely committed to that," Mr Wu has told the ABC's Stan Grant in an interview to be broadcast on Monday evening.
"If China is going to launch a war against Taiwan we will fight to the end, and that is our commitment.
"I'm sure that if China is going to launch an attack against Taiwan, I think they are going to suffer tremendously as well."
The minister from Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party believes other like-minded countries such as Australia should now come to the aid of his besieged nation by developing closer ties.
"We would like to engage in security or intelligence exchanges with other like-minded partners, Australia included, so Taiwan is better prepared to deal with the war situation.
"And so far, our relations with Australia [are] very good and that is what we appreciate", Mr Wu added.
Australia does not formally recognise Taiwan diplomatically, but the federal government regularly calls for a "peaceful resolution" of differences between China and the small independent nation through dialogue and without the threat or use of force or coercion.
A communique issued after last month's AUSMIN meetings between Australia and the United States declared that "both sides stated their intent to strengthen ties with Taiwan, which is a leading democracy and a critical partner for both countries".
As well as closer security ties, the Taiwanese Foreign Minister thanked Australia for supporting its bid to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, now known as the CPTPP, which China also wants to enter.
"As far as I know, Australia has been one of those most vocal members in supporting Taiwan's participation in CPTPP.
"We have been discussing with each other privately for quite some time and we understand the Australian support and we appreciate the Australian support."
Earlier this year, America's most senior diplomat in Canberra also confirmed Australia and the United States were discussing contingency plans in case a military conflict erupts over Taiwan.
Last year, Frances Adamson, the then-head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, warned she was more concerned about a "crisis" in the Taiwan strait than at any other point in her diplomatic career.
(continued)
#14386058 at 2021-08-18 08:49:10 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #18 - Talisman Sabre: MAGIC SWORD Edition
Afghanistan rescue flight carrying Australians lands in UAE, with more Kabul evacuation missions planned
Andrew Greene and Georgia Hitch - 18 August 2021
The first Australian Defence Force evacuation flight from Afghanistan has landed back at a military base in the United Arab Emirates after collecting 26 passengers from Kabul airport.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said more flights would be organised into the Taliban-held Afghan capital in the coming days.
"This is not a simple process," he said. "This was the first of what will be many flights, subject to clearance and weather."
"We will bring out as many people as we can, as quickly and safely as we can."
Earlier, the ABC revealed the flight had made it into, and out of, Kabul, touching down in the UAE.
Mr Morrison said the flight landed at 10:45am AEST.
"That included Australian citizens, Afghan nationals with visas and one foreign official working in an international agency," he said.
"The transfers are done to our base in the Emirates, where capacity has already been established with medical support available, to provide that medical support and to process their further onward transfer to Australia."
Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said government officials were on the ground in Kabul, but that people heading to the airport were having to negotiate Taliban checkpoints.
"[It] is obviously a very complex and fluid environment, with a whole range of security issues," she said.
"We are working closely with the US particularly, the UK, others, Germans included, to try to improve or address those security challenges."
Seven people were killed as crowds descended on Hamid Karzai airport after the Taliban seized control of the capital on Sunday.
A number of people were filmed clinging on to an American military jet as it took off, with the US Air Force later confirming it found human remains in the wheel well of one of its aircraft that left Kabul.
Refugee visas for Afghans
Mr Morrison said he believed the government would be able to provide at least 3,000 visas under the humanitarian visa program to Afghans this year.
But he said he wanted to make it clear the government would only resettle Afghans through official and "legitimate" channels.
The current cap on humanitarian visa places is 13,750 after the government reduced the program by 5,000 places last year.
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said the 3,000 places would focus on family members of Australians, persecuted minorities including women, girls, children, the Hazara - an ethnic minority group - and other vulnerable groups.
Mr Hawke said visa applications from people fleeing Afghanistan would be given priority, and reiterated the Prime Minister's suggestion that the initial allocation would likely increase in the future.
Flight tracking websites showed the RAAF Hercules flying in and out of Afghanistan this morning, as part of an urgent mission to rescue Australians and Afghans from the city.
A Hercules can carry around 120 passengers, while a C-17 Globemaster, which will also fly into Kabul, can officially carry 134 people.
However, an American C-17 which left Kabul earlier this week was pictured carrying hundreds of people who had crammed into the aircraft's hold as they fled the city.
A federal government spokesperson said the number of evacuees on each RAAF flight was expected to "ramp up" with subsequent flights.
Sources in Kabul said Australians were told to head to the airport last night, and another rescue flight could be launched as early as today.
This week Australia committed 250 troops and several military aircraft to the region with the hope of extracting around 600 people from Kabul.
That will include 100 Australian permanent residents and citizens and around 100 of their family members, plus 300 to 400 local employees.
Defence Minister Peter Dutton also confirmed yesterday that Australia would help get New Zealand citizens out of Kabul as well.
The airport in Kabul has been secured by US troops, something Mr Morrison said was crucial to facilitating Australian flights into the capital.
The PM said a number of states and territories had agreed to quarantine people brought back from Afghanistan above the current international passenger caps.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-18/afghanistan-kabul-rescue-mission-carrying-australians-lands/100386652
#13890929 at 2021-06-13 05:39:13 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #16 - INFILTRATION NOT INVASION Edition
George Papadopoulos Tweet
US spy boss James Robert Clapper Jr makes secretive visit to Australia - ABC News
(Keep this story in mind. Will make sense shortly)
https://twitter.com/GeorgePapa19/status/1403780633139159042
US spy boss makes secretive visit to Australia
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-16/us-spy-boss-makes-secretive-visit-to-australia/7251590
—
US spy boss James Robert Clapper Jr makes secretive visit to Australia
Andrew Greene - 16 Mar 2016
America's top spy, the US Director of National Intelligence, is on a secret visit to Australia, the ABC has learnt.
James Robert Clapper Jr directs the US National Intelligence Program and reports directly to President Barack Obama.
So far the Federal Government is refusing to give any details of his activities and meetings while in Australia, but the United States embassy in Canberra has confirmed Mr Clapper's visit.
"As allies, the United States and Australia cooperate closely on a wide range of issues," an embassy spokeswoman told the ABC.
"It is not uncommon that senior US Government officials visit Australia and engage in high-level consultations."
Before flying to Australia Mr Clapper stopped over in New Zealand where he met with Prime Minister John Key.
"I've met General Clapper on a couple of occasions. He's obviously got great insight into intelligence and what's happening around the world," Mr Key said.
The US intelligence chief is believed to be travelling onboard a US military C-17 Globemaster.
Last week the Australian Federal Police hosted the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation James B Comey on a two-day visit to Australia.
Mr Comey also met with Attorney-General George Brandis and Justice Minister Michael Keenan.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-16/us-spy-boss-makes-secretive-visit-to-australia/7251590
#13855472 at 2021-06-08 09:48:56 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #16 - INFILTRATION NOT INVASION Edition
Afghan translators for Australian diggers now targets of Taliban threats
Andrew Greene - 8 June 2021
1/2
Afghan translators employed by Australian troops have been placed on a Taliban kill list for working alongside "infidel enemies" over the past 20 years.
The shock development has re-ignited calls for the Australian government to fast-track protection visas for about 300 interpreters who now fear for their lives.
In one instance, an Afghan father who worked with Australian Defence Force soldiers from 2010 was tracked to his home by a Taliban operative.
Earlier this month, a threatening letter signed by a Taliban "guerilla operations" commander named Spin Talib, was taped to the front door of the translator's home after his address was identified by the "Mujahedeen", or jihadist fighters.
The letter amounts to a Taliban death sentence on the translator who has already been an assassination target.
"We are honest in our words and we will get you, be it day or night, and you will be punished, and we will reach our goal," the letter reads.
"Await your death very soon."
The letter reveals that the Taliban has received reports of the translator's work "for a long time with infidel enemies of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, as an interpreter and a slave".
"We have tried to kill you by hitting you with a vehicle, but unfortunately you did not die, only your leg was broken," it says.
The attempted murder is in reference to a November 2016 incident when a Taliban insurgent drove a car into the man as he was shopping.
"My leg is broken [in] three places, when I open my eyes, I was in hospital," the interpreter said in a video recorded from his hospital bed at the time.
A copy of the June letter, obtained by the ABC, said the Taliban's Department of Intelligence and Military Council ordered Commander Spin Talib to kill the translator.
"We have reports that you and other interpreters are in contact with infidel friends, to get you out of Afghanistan and get you a visa," the letter signed by Spin Talib reads.
"Therefore you will not be forgiven by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, neither will we accept any other excuse."
University of Western Australia adjunct Professor Amin Saikal, who has written extensively on Afghanistan, said the letter appears legitimate.
"I think it appears quite authentic to me, and of course the Taliban have issued these sort of letters before, it's not totally unusual," he said.
The ABC has chosen not to reveal the translator's identity, or where he was living, but retired Australian Army officer Jason Scanes who worked with him said his former colleague was now in hiding.
"He's extremely concerned about this situation, obviously he's had to move himself and his young family out of his house - they are moving around trying to find secure locations," the Afghanistan veteran and former Queensland state Labor candidate said.
"He's concerned for himself, but he's also very concerned for his young family."
(continued)
#13741323 at 2021-05-24 09:26:17 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #16 - INFILTRATION NOT INVASION Edition
#15 - Part 2
Australian Politics and Society - Part 2
>>13460325 Video: New Zealand 'uncomfortable with expanding the remit' of Five Eyes, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta
>>13460336 1st MAW Marines Tweet: VMM-363 and HMLA-367 joined MRF-D and are prepared to respond to crisis and contingencies in a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific
>>13462856 Feeding Hate With Video: A Former Alt-Right YouTuber Explains His Methods - Focus on conflict Feed the algorithm (Lauren Southern)
>>13477230 New Zealand backs "Five Eyes" alliance, but wants human rights raised in broader group
>>13477249 Japan should join Five Eyes intelligence network, says ambassador Shingo Yamagami
>>13477403 Former US intelligence director James Clapper backs Turnbull and Rudd's call for Murdoch media inquiry
>>13477434 Australia's ambition on climate change is held back by a toxic mix of rightwing politics, media and vested interests - Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull - theguardian.com
>>13485324 Australia was blindsided when Five Eyes ally New Zealand backed away from China criticism
>>13485327 Australia reminds New Zealand of the importance of the Five Eyes alliance during a meeting of trans-Tasman foreign ministers
>>13485332 Foreign Minister Marise Payne Tweet: Today's Foreign Ministerial Consultations in #Wellington, our first face-to-face meeting since COVID-19, allowed for a deep discussion as friends about shared priorities, including our Pacific partnerships, as we navigate 2021 together
>>13485337 Strengthening trans-Tasman ties: Australia-New Zealand Foreign Minister Consultations - Senator the Hon Marise Payne Joint statement with The Hon Nanaia Mahuta - 22 April 2021
>>13485346 Former Director of America's National Security Agency, Admiral Michael Rogers says misinformation a threat to democracy
>>13485350 Video: CyberCX Cyber Dialogue: In conversation with Admiral Michael Rogers and Alastair MacGibbon
>>13493355 'Bankable': Morrison promotes Australia's climate record at US summit
>>13493366 Video: Scott Morrison resists pressure for new emissions target at Joe Biden climate summit
>>13493636 Andrew Greene Tweet: Worth noting the head of ASIS (Paul Symon) joined @MarisePayne's delegation to New Zealand. Wellington's role in 5-Eyes is all the talk inside intelligence circles at the moment
>>13499801 All-gender bathrooms proposed for Victorian workplaces and footy ovals
>>13499932 Arthur Sinodinos AO Tweet: #QUAD Ambassadors and US House Foreign Affairs Committee continue conversation on shared vision for an open, inclusive and resilient Indo Pacifc.
>>13500013 Marine Rotational Force - Darwin Facebook Post: Marines with MRF-D and ADF members teamed up with the Portuguese and Timorese Social Club in order to prepare a shipment of flood relief supplies donated by the local Darwin community for Timor-Leste
>>13500022 Marine Rotational Force - Darwin Facebook Post: Heads up Darwin, Marines will be flying at night throughout the rotation! This training keeps our aviation units safe and proficient, and we'll do our best to keep it to times that are respectful to the community
>>13500945 Prime Minister Scott Morrison Facebook Post - Lest We Forget. Tomorrow, Anzac Day, is one of the most sacred days in our national calendar.
>>13500949, >>13500950, >>13500952, >>13500954 Anzac Day 2021 Dawn Service Livestreams - ShrineMelbourne, ABC Australia, 7NEWS Australia and Australia in the US
>>13503677 ANZAC Day 2021 - "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them." Lest We Forget.
>>13507409 Anzac Day: Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Afghanistan withdrawal marks end of 'another chapter'
>>13507484 Video: Defence Minister Peter Dutton reveals how Australian troops will fight greater threats and uncertainty at home
>>13507800 ANZAC Day - PRESS STATEMENT - ANTONY J. BLINKEN, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE - "I express my sincere gratitude to all Australians and New Zealanders on this somber day."
>>13507965 Crowds return for Anzac Day service, but some diggers locked out by fence
>>13507973 Q Post #2480 - With Respect, Honor, and Gratitude. Your sacrifice(s) will never be forgotten. Thank you and God Bless, Veterans!
>>13508029 Video: What can the US learn from Australia's gun reforms? - Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd - CNN
>>13508109 'It's an arms race': RedShield - The Kiwi cyber firm that shielded Biden's home state during 2020 election
#13741245 at 2021-05-24 08:57:27 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #15 - NEVER RETREAT FROM THE BATTLEFIELD Edition
#15 - Part 2
Australian Politics and Society - Part 2
>>13460325 Video: New Zealand 'uncomfortable with expanding the remit' of Five Eyes, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta
>>13460336 1st MAW Marines Tweet: VMM-363 and HMLA-367 joined MRF-D and are prepared to respond to crisis and contingencies in a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific
>>13462856 Feeding Hate With Video: A Former Alt-Right YouTuber Explains His Methods - Focus on conflict Feed the algorithm (Lauren Southern)
>>13477230 New Zealand backs "Five Eyes" alliance, but wants human rights raised in broader group
>>13477249 Japan should join Five Eyes intelligence network, says ambassador Shingo Yamagami
>>13477403 Former US intelligence director James Clapper backs Turnbull and Rudd's call for Murdoch media inquiry
>>13477434 Australia's ambition on climate change is held back by a toxic mix of rightwing politics, media and vested interests - Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull - theguardian.com
>>13485324 Australia was blindsided when Five Eyes ally New Zealand backed away from China criticism
>>13485327 Australia reminds New Zealand of the importance of the Five Eyes alliance during a meeting of trans-Tasman foreign ministers
>>13485332 Foreign Minister Marise Payne Tweet: Today's Foreign Ministerial Consultations in #Wellington, our first face-to-face meeting since COVID-19, allowed for a deep discussion as friends about shared priorities, including our Pacific partnerships, as we navigate 2021 together
>>13485337 Strengthening trans-Tasman ties: Australia-New Zealand Foreign Minister Consultations - Senator the Hon Marise Payne Joint statement with The Hon Nanaia Mahuta - 22 April 2021
>>13485346 Former Director of America's National Security Agency, Admiral Michael Rogers says misinformation a threat to democracy
>>13485350 Video: CyberCX Cyber Dialogue: In conversation with Admiral Michael Rogers and Alastair MacGibbon
>>13493355 'Bankable': Morrison promotes Australia's climate record at US summit
>>13493366 Video: Scott Morrison resists pressure for new emissions target at Joe Biden climate summit
>>13493636 Andrew Greene Tweet: Worth noting the head of ASIS (Paul Symon) joined @MarisePayne's delegation to New Zealand. Wellington's role in 5-Eyes is all the talk inside intelligence circles at the moment
>>13499801 All-gender bathrooms proposed for Victorian workplaces and footy ovals
>>13499932 Arthur Sinodinos AO Tweet: #QUAD Ambassadors and US House Foreign Affairs Committee continue conversation on shared vision for an open, inclusive and resilient Indo Pacifc.
>>13500013 Marine Rotational Force - Darwin Facebook Post: Marines with MRF-D and ADF members teamed up with the Portuguese and Timorese Social Club in order to prepare a shipment of flood relief supplies donated by the local Darwin community for Timor-Leste
>>13500022 Marine Rotational Force - Darwin Facebook Post: Heads up Darwin, Marines will be flying at night throughout the rotation! This training keeps our aviation units safe and proficient, and we'll do our best to keep it to times that are respectful to the community
>>13500945 Prime Minister Scott Morrison Facebook Post - Lest We Forget. Tomorrow, Anzac Day, is one of the most sacred days in our national calendar.
>>13500949, >>13500950, >>13500952 >>13500954 Anzac Day 2021 Dawn Service Livestreams - ShrineMelbourne, ABC Australia, 7NEWS Australia and Australia in the US
>>13503677 ANZAC Day 2021 - "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them." Lest We Forget.
>>13507409 Anzac Day: Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Afghanistan withdrawal marks end of 'another chapter'
>>13507484 Video: Defence Minister Peter Dutton reveals how Australian troops will fight greater threats and uncertainty at home
>>13507800 ANZAC Day - PRESS STATEMENT - ANTONY J. BLINKEN, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE - "I express my sincere gratitude to all Australians and New Zealanders on this somber day."
>>13507965 Crowds return for Anzac Day service, but some diggers locked out by fence
>>13507973 Q Post #2480 - With Respect, Honor, and Gratitude. Your sacrifice(s) will never be forgotten. Thank you and God Bless, Veterans!
>>13508029 Video: What can the US learn from Australia's gun reforms? - Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd - CNN
>>13508109 'It's an arms race': RedShield - The Kiwi cyber firm that shielded Biden's home state during 2020 election
#13717832 at 2021-05-21 08:31:37 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #15 - NEVER RETREAT FROM THE BATTLEFIELD Edition
>>13507484
Defence declares war on political correctness, bans morning teas aimed at inclusion and diversity
Andrew Greene - 21 May 2021
The military has been ordered to stop holding morning teas which celebrate diversity and inclusion, as Defence chiefs remind personnel their "primary mission" is to protect Australia.
In a directive issued on Friday, the Defence Chief and Defence Secretary told ADF members that "Defence represents the people of Australia" and that it "must at all times be focused on our primary mission to protect Australia's national security interests".
"We must not be putting effort into matters that distract from this," General Angus Campbell and Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty wrote.
"To meet these important aims, changing language protocols and those events such as morning teas where personnel are encouraged to wear particular clothes in celebration are not required and should cease."
The order is in stark contrast to a message issued to ADF members earlier this month, encouraging them to support their LGBTI colleagues on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on May 17.
In the advice issued by Defence People Group, ADF members were encouraged to take part in activities such as "hosting morning teas" and "wearing visible rainbow clothing or ally pins".
The advice noted Defence's current strategy to improve its culture, which it argued underlined "Defence's commitment to building capability through inclusion".
"By recognising IDAHOBIT, Defence is demonstrating its support for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) colleagues, friends and family by standing against prejudice and discrimination, and demonstrating inclusion," the May 3 advice said.
"Defence's ability to deliver on government's strategic objectives hinges on how our people choose to interact and conduct themselves, both individually and collectively."
Friday's directive to "cease" holding LGBTI events, as well as reversing politically correct language changes, came just days after ADF members took part in IDAHOBIT morning teas across the country.
General Campbell and Mr Moriarty said they had "made it clear to all Service Chiefs and Group Heads that combat and organisational capability is to be delivered through our well-developed training and education programs, exercises and operational experience, with respectful behaviours, underpinned by Defence values".
Last month the ABC revealed new Assistant Defence Minister Andrew Hastie had told military personnel their "core business" was always the "application of lethal violence" and warned that "mission clarity" was vital to their work.
At the time, Liberal backbencher Phillip Thompson, also a former soldier, said Mr Hastie and new Defence Minister Peter Dutton were making sure the ADF was focused on its main tasks.
"Having Minister Dutton at the helm and leading our Australian Defence Force, we're bringing back our core values - we've gone a little bit woke over the past few years and we can't afford to be doing that," he said.
Defence has been contacted for comment.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-21/defence-chief-angus-campbell-political-correctness-morning-teas/100156436
#13608464 at 2021-05-07 23:30:06 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #15 - NEVER RETREAT FROM THE BATTLEFIELD Edition
Royal Australian Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Catherine Roberts to become Australia's first space commander
Andrew Greene - 8 May 2021
A senior Royal Australian Air Force officer whose childhood idol was Neil Armstrong will become Australia's first space commander next year.
Air Vice-Marshal Catherine Roberts, who is currently the Head of Air Force Capability, will take over the newly created position of Head of Space Division from January.
The trained engineer, who has served in the RAAF for 35 years, was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross for her work in overseeing the introduction of major aviation capabilities.
Her appointment as the country's inaugural space commander comes just weeks after Air Force Chief Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld revealed planning was well underway for a new military "space command".
"I think we're probably about three or four years behind where I would rather be at the moment, but we're catching up quickly," the chief told the ABC in an interview marking the RAAF's centenary.
The soon-to-be Head of Space Division last year revealed her life-long passion for the final frontier in a video address to the Women in Leadership Digital Summit.
"The first person I remember ever having a material impact on my ambition was Neil Armstrong," she said.
"In 1969, as a three-year-old, I watched on in awe as Lieutenant Armstrong descended the ladder of the lunar lander and uttered the first words ever spoken on the Moon.
"It was an incredible moment for humanity and millions of aspiring engineers that were probably created at that moment - I was no different."
Air Vice-Marshal Roberts' new role was first confirmed by the Chief of Defence, General Angus Campbell, as one of dozens of several senior appointments and promotions made just before Anzac Day.
More than one history-making appointment
From next year, the army will also have its first female Deputy Chief, becoming the first of Australia's armed services to appoint a woman to such a senior role.
Major General Natasha Fox will take up the role from January, in an announcement first made internally to the military just before Anzac Day.
She has deployed to Lebanon, Syria and Israel, and was the Chief of Staff for Joint Task Force 633 in the Middle East where she received an Order of Australia for her service.
Officer appointed to tackle war crimes fallout
While unveiling a raft of senior appointments and promotions, General Campbell also confirmed Rear Admiral Brett Wolski had already begun working as the head of the Afghanistan Inquiry Response Task Force.
The senior naval officer formally begun his work as head of the taskforce in February, before Peter Dutton was appointed Defence Minister.
Rear Admiral Wolski's taskforce is a small temporary team established within the Australian Defence Force Headquarters.
Its primary role is to prepare Defence to receive and respond to the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force's inquiry into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-08/air-force-vice-marshal-catherine-roberts-australia-space-command/100124660
#13603946 at 2021-05-07 08:39:53 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #15 - NEVER RETREAT FROM THE BATTLEFIELD Edition
>>13553469
>>13553502
Israeli company denies 'security rumours' as Defence removes multi-billion-dollar technology and quarantines Army IT systems
Andrew Greene - 7 May 2021
Defence has begun stripping Israeli-developed technology from Army equipment because of fears it could be used to harvest sensitive data from military hardware and systems.
The company in question, Elbit Systems of Australia, has "strongly" rejected what it claims are "security rumours" connected to its multi-billion-dollar Battle Management System (BMS).
However, the ABC can reveal Army Headquarters last month issued a directive ordering Defence to "cease use" of the Elbit BMS Command and Control (BMS-C2) in preparation for a replacement system.
"The employment of the BMS-C2 system version 7.1 within Army's preparedness environment is to cease no later than May 15 2021," the order states.
Military sources have told the ABC that Defence believes the Elbit technology may compromise sensitive data, triggering a directive that it "not be configured or accessed" on certain Army systems.
Elbit's BMS, introduced a decade ago, allowed Army commanders to replace maps and analogue radios with advanced digital, encrypted technology and networks to better coordinate their units in the field and to protect classified information.
Army's directive last month also demanded items such as USB memory sticks and software "be withdrawn from issue to users and consolidated and quarantined by signals support staff".
"Defence is to cease use of the BMS-C2 in accordance with timings in order to prepare for the transition to an interim Battle Management System capability."
In a statement, Elbit Systems of Australia managing director, retired Major General Paul McLachlan, strongly rejected suggestions the company's product posed any risk.
"Elbit Systems of Australia strongly refutes the security rumours raised in recent media articles," Major General McLachlan said.
"Elbit Systems of Australia utilises secure software development processes in collaboration with the Department of Defence, including the provision of all source code."
Major General McLachlan added: "Elbit Systems of Australia will continue to work closely with the Australian Defence Force to deliver its network capability requirements."
The Defence Department and federal government are yet to comment on the decision to stop using Elbit equipment, which has begun to receive significant media attention in Israel.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-07/israeli-company-elbit-systems-of-australia-removed-army/100121238
https://twitter.com/AndrewBGreene/status/1390485416164270081
#13553469 at 2021-05-01 00:51:16 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #15 - NEVER RETREAT FROM THE BATTLEFIELD Edition
Future of Army's multi-billion-dollar Battle Management System uncertain amid tensions with Israeli military company
Andrew Greene - 30 April 2021
Tensions between Australia's military and a controversial Israeli weapons manufacturer are threatening to topple a multi-billion-dollar IT system that allows Army commanders to control units in the field.
Defence is refusing to comment on the saga but several sources with knowledge of the dispute say the Army is now moving to scrap its Battle Management System (BMS) produced by Elbit Systems Australia.
The digital Israeli technology allows Army commanders to better coordinate various land assets during complex battlefield scenarios, where previously they had to rely on "analogue" methods such as maps and radios.
The United States military has for years taken special precautions while operating alongside Australian vehicles that are equipped with the Elbit BMS, because of security concerns about the Israeli technology.
Military figures have said simmering tensions between the Defence Department and Elbit Systems Australia have come to a head in recent weeks, with the Army now moving to stop using its existing deployed BMS.
One Army source, who spoke to the ABC on the condition of anonymity, described the standoff as a "complete shambles".
"People are getting the shits with Elbit exploiting their monopoly to impose huge premiums," the officer said.
"And there are definite concerns that the Israelis are backdooring the system for information".
The ABC understands Elbit employs 190 staff in Australia, but Defence is now looking to use an American company which is yet to properly establish itself in Australia.
A week ago, the ABC sent detailed questions about the contractual dispute to the Defence Department, but it is yet to respond.
The ABC has also contacted the federal government for comment, but a response has not been received.
A spokesperson for Elbit Systems Australia told the ABC "we will not be commenting at this stage".
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-30/tension-israeli-company-lead-to-uncertainty-over-army-system/100105866
#13493636 at 2021-04-23 10:18:34 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #15 - NEVER RETREAT FROM THE BATTLEFIELD Edition
>>13460325
>>13485327
>>13485332
Andrew Greene Tweet
Worth noting the head of ASIS (Paul Symon pictured right) joined @MarisePayne's delegation to New Zealand. Wellington's role in 5-Eyes is all the talk inside intelligence circles at the moment
https://twitter.com/AndrewBGreene/status/1385426980993069059
#13429478 at 2021-04-15 06:50:32 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #15 - NEVER RETREAT FROM THE BATTLEFIELD Edition
Joe Biden says it's time to 'end America's longest war', as final Afghanistan withdrawal announced
Andrew Greene - 14 April 2021
1/2
US President Joe Biden says America will finally end its 20-year war in Afghanistan from May 1, with US and allied forces to completely depart no later than September 11 this year.
In a White House speech on Wednesday (local time), Mr Biden said there was little justification for the US's continued military engagement in Afghanistan, adding it was time to end the "forever war" launched in 2001.
"I am now the fourth American president to preside over an American troop presence in Afghanistan. Two Republicans. Two Democrats," Mr Biden said.
"I will not pass this responsibility on to a fifth."
There are roughly 7,000 NATO forces still in Afghanistan in addition to the remaining 2,500 US troops.
Australia's remaining military personnel in Afghanistan are soon expected to leave alongside their NATO-led coalition colleagues, in coordination with the withdrawal decision.
And according to the Defence Department, "Australia currently contributes around 80 defence personnel in Afghanistan" as part of Operation HIGHROAD.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed his government had been discussing withdrawal plans with the United States and other allies.
"Without going into national security matters you can be assured that the Australian government has been working closely with our American partners and allies on these issues," Mr Morrison said.
Military insiders believe Australia will continue to provide aid to the war-ravaged country through defence cooperation programs, but the federal government will no longer provide any "in-country support".
'Now it is time to bring our forces home'
While President Biden's decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by September breaks a May 1 withdrawal deadline set by the Trump Administration, it leaves no room for additional extensions.
The current withdrawal plan sets a firm end date on two decades of war that has seen more than 2,200 US troops killed, 20,000 wounded and cost as much as $US1 trillion ($1.3 trillion).
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he expected the allies to withdraw together but maintained that neither the US nor NATO would abandon the country despite the impending exodus of troops.
He and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin were meeting senior officials from the alliance's 30 members on Wednesday to discuss NATO's future presence in Afghanistan in light of Washington's announcement.
"Together, we went into Afghanistan to deal with those who attacked us and to make sure that Afghanistan would not again become a haven for terrorists who might attack any of us," Mr Blinken said.
"Now it is time to bring our forces home."
There is a summit planned about Afghanistan starting on April 24 in Istanbul that is due to include the United Nations and Qatar.
The Taliban, ousted from power in 2001 by US-led forces, said it would not take part in any meetings that would make decisions about Afghanistan until all foreign forces had left the country.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on Wednesday called on Washington to stick with the deadline established by the Trump Administration.
"If the agreement is committed to, the remaining problems will also be solved," Mr Mujahid wrote on Twitter.
"If the agreement is not committed to ... the problems will certainly increase."
(continued)
#13341898 at 2021-04-01 07:57:22 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #15 - NEVER RETREAT FROM THE BATTLEFIELD Edition
Australia discussing 'contingency' plans with United States over possible Taiwan conflict
Andrew Greene - 1 April 2021
A senior American diplomat says Australia and the United States are discussing contingency plans in case a military conflict erupts over Taiwan.
The US embassy's most senior diplomat currently posted to Australia, Michael Goldman, has also praised Australia for standing up to China's "economic coercion" during the past year.
"We have enormous respect for what Australia's done over the past year, in calling for a COVID investigation, in standing up to economic coercion, and I should say in the course of that proving that your economy is much more resilient in terms of your markets than you may have anticipated," he said.
In a wide-ranging discussion on an Australian National University podcast, Mr Goldman was asked to describe the significance of Taiwan in conversations between the US and its allies in the region, including Australia.
"I think we're committed as allies to working together, not only in making our militaries interoperable and functioning well together but also in strategic planning," Mr Goldman said.
"And when you look at strategic planning, it covers the range of contingencies that you've mentioned, of which Taiwan is obviously an important component," he added.
Across the region, concerns are growing over escalating tensions between China and the democratic nation of Taiwan, which China considers a renegade territory of its own.
Mr Goldman is the chargé d'affaires in Canberra, with President Joe Biden yet to announce a replacement for the Donald Trump-appointed former ambassador Arthur Culvahouse, who returned home earlier this year.
He said while the US was focused on the risk of Taiwan facing an "overt crude military intervention", it was "also concerned with all sorts of other aspects of coercion that don't quite reach the level of a military invasion".
"You can think of all sorts of things, ranging from a blockade to cyber incursions to, you know, lobbing missiles over the island. We're thinking about all sorts of those other things," Mr Goldman said.
Australia does not formally recognise Taiwan diplomatically, but the government regularly calls for a "peaceful resolution" of differences between China and the small independent nation through dialogue and without the threat or use of force or coercion.
During his conversation with the head of ANU's national security college, Professor Rory Medcalf, Mr Goldman did not indicate whether the Biden administration expected Australia to deploy any personnel in the event of an armed conflict over Taiwan.
Mr Goldman, who has previously been posted to Taiwan, said the US was "bound by a moral obligation and also a matter of legislation to help Taiwan with its legitimate self-defence needs".
In December, a senior Taiwanese politician called for greater security and economic cooperation with Australia as his nation tries to counter China's increasingly assertive military.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-01/australia-discuss-contingency-plans-us-possible-conflict-taiwan/100043826
#13335655 at 2021-03-31 08:25:42 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #14 - THE ART OF WAR Edition
RAAF planning for new military space command as it celebrates 100th anniversary
Andrew Greene - 31 March 2021
Australia's Air Force chief says planning is underway for a new military "space command" amid growing global competition for supremacy in the skies well above earth.
In an interview to mark the RAAF's 100th anniversary, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld has confirmed "a truly integrated space domain organisation" is on track to be established next year.
The RAAF chief is leading a space domain review for the military which includes plans for a new space command that would draw expertise from all parts of the Australian Defence Force.
"It's to allow us to establish an organisation to sustain, force-generate, operate space capabilities and assign them to a joint operation command if needed," Air Marshal Hupfeld said.
Unlike the United States, which has a separate military service known as the US Space Force, Australia is likely to opt for a joint command staffed by Air Force, Army and Navy personnel.
"I think we're probably about three or four years behind where I would rather be at the moment, but we're catching up quickly," Air Marshal Hupfeld told the ABC.
The RAAF chief says unlike other nations, such as China and Russia, Australia would not seek to develop technologies to attack enemy satellites.
"Space is a war-fighting domain but we're not going to militarise space," he said.
Last December, the Air Force chief joined Australia's allies in condemning Russia's testing of a new anti-satellite missile and he predicts there will be more incidents like it during his term.
"What we will be looking to do if there is someone who doesn't (follow international rules) is point it out," he said.
Controversial Joint Strike Fighter takes centre stage in celebrations
On Wednesday, over 60 vintage and modern military aircraft will take part in a spectacular Canberra flypast to help celebrate the RAAF's centenary, including the controversial Joint Strike Fighter.
In the United States, there are growing frustrations over the F-35's cost and technical challenges, with US Air Force Chief of Staff Charles Brown likening the aircraft to a Ferrari that should only be driven on Sundays.
Hitting back at Australian critics, Air Marshal Hupfeld said he was convinced the fifth-generation aircraft was the "the right capability" for the defence of the country.
"I would argue very strongly that some of our more speculative commentators don't have access to the specifications and capabilities and have not sat in the cockpit of a fighter aircraft," he said.
"It will gather information while it's flying, it has the ability to shoot like a fighter, but it can suck information in and it can distribute that through our networks, to a soldier on the ground, to a sailor on a ship and it can bring us back very coherently as part of the Joint Force."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-31/raaf-looks-to-space-as-it-celebrates-100-years/100039914
#13247553 at 2021-03-18 04:59:31 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #14 - THE ART OF WAR Edition
ASIO boss Mike Burgess says agency is ditching 'Islamic' and 'right-wing' tags, will now refer to 'religious' or 'ideological' violence
Andrew Greene - 17 March 2021
Australia's domestic intelligence agency will avoid referring to "Islamic extremism" and "right wing extremism" and has revealed it last year disrupted a foreign "nest of spies" who were seeking access to sensitive defence secrets.
Delivering his Annual Threat Assessment, director-general of security Mike Burgess declared ASIO will follow its Five-Eyes intelligence partners in changing the language it uses towards violent extremist threats.
Instead ASIO will now use the umbrella terms of "religiously motivated violent extremism" and "ideologically motivated violent extremism" to describe those seeking to do harm.
"We don't investigate people because of their religious views - it's violence that is relevant to our powers - but that's not always clear when we use the term 'Islamic extremism'," he said.
"Understandably, some Muslim groups - and others - see this term as damaging and misrepresentative of Islam, and consider that it stigmatises them by encouraging stereotyping and stoking division.
"Our language needs to evolve to match the evolving threat environment."
He said describing "left" or "right" extremism was also no longer relevant or applicable in many circumstances.
"We are seeing a growing number of individuals and groups that don't fit on the left-right spectrum at all," he said.
"Instead, they're motivated by a fear of societal collapse or a specific social or economic grievance or conspiracy.
"For example, the violent misogynists who adhere to the involuntary celibate or 'incel' ideology fit into this category."
The director-general said ASIO's language needed to accommodate those groups that fall outside "traditional" categories.
Mr Burgess acknowledged that trust in democracy was falling worldwide and since speaking about the rising threat of far-right extremists last year, ideological extremism investigations had grown from 30 to 40 per cent of the agency's counter-terrorism caseload.
"This reflects a growing international trend," he said.
"People often think we're talking about skinheads with swastika tattoos and jackboots roaming the backstreets like extras from Romper Stomper, but it's no longer that obvious.
"Today's ideological extremist is more likely to be motivated by a social or economic grievance than national socialism."
ASIO cracks 'Nest of Spies' seeking access to Australia's Defence secrets
He said the average age of the people they are investigating is 25 and are "overwhelmingly" male.
Mr Burgess also revealed the organisation removed a "nest of spies" from Australia, with the total number of foreign operatives kicked out of the country reaching "double figures" in the past year.
Speaking inside ASIO's highly secure Canberra headquarters, he offered some details of a major operation last year that disrupted a foreign intelligence service operating in Australia.
"One of ASIO's investigations focused on a nest of spies, from a particular foreign intelligence service, that was operating in Australia," he said.
"The spies developed targeted relationships with current and former politicians, a foreign embassy and a state police service."
In front of an audience of military chiefs, security bosses and diplomats, including Japan's ambassador, Mr Burgess described how the foreign operatives monitored their diaspora community in Australia.
The ABC has confirmed the country behind the foreign spy ring was not China.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-17/asio-director-intelligence-language-change-islamic-extremism/13256828
—
Director-General's Annual Threat Assessment
https://www.asio.gov.au/publications/speeches-and-statements/director-generals-annual-threat-assessment-2021.html
#13190373 at 2021-03-12 08:33:42 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #14 - THE ART OF WAR Edition
Chinese takeover of island near Australian military training area causes unease inside defence and government
Andrew Greene - 12 March 2021
A decision to grant a Chinese linked company a mining licence on a remote West Australian island, close to a military training area, is raising concerns inside Defence and federal government ranks.
In October, the private Hong Kong-based entity was announced as the new owner of abandoned iron ore operations on Cockatoo Island in WA's Kimberley region, next to the Yampi Sound Defence Training Area.
Cockatoo Island is roughly 2000 kilometres from Perth and boasts an airstrip which was used to service past mining projects as well as a resort built by infamous businessman Alan Bond during the 1980s.
According to Western Australia's Department of Mines registry the new lease approved last year for 'Cockatoo Island Mining Pty Ltd' will expire in 2032.
Cockatoo Island Mining's directors say they want to "establish a world class and responsible mining operation, within an area that has demonstrated high-grade iron ore deposits," after the previous owner went into administration in 2015.
Company documents submitted to the Australian Security and Investments Commission confirm directors of the Cockatoo Island Mining venture reside in Australia, India, Hong Kong as well as mainland China.
The ABC has confirmed the 2020 takeover was examined by the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) but the deal has still alarmed some federal government figures who believe it is similar to the controversial lease of Darwin Port to a Chinese state-owned company.
Liberal Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, who previously served as Minister for International Development and the Pacific, has told the ABC she is alarmed at the deal.
"The Cockatoo Island 'transaction' is yet another example of why acquisition of strategic assets from governments in Australia by 'private companies' with links to Beijing should come within the scope of both FIRB and foreign relation legislation."
"This 'transaction' is another glaring example of our defective federal laws," the NSW Senator argues.
"China's company and national security laws require that the Chinese Communist Party 'control', not only China's state-owned entities, but also Chinese 'private companies'."
Last year the Morrison government passed new foreign relations laws which allow the Commonwealth the power to veto agreements with foreign countries struck by state and local governments, but not deals done with private companies.
One senior national security official who spoke to the ABC on the condition of anonymity, highlighted that as well as being next to a military training area Cockatoo Island was also close to the strategically important north-west shelf gas fields.
Defence has confirmed that over the past twelve months the Yampi Sound Training Area was used for a total of 19 days by both Regional Force Surveillance units and Special Forces units.
In a statement the Defence Department insisted appropriate security arrangements were in place at the remote training area which military figures believe will become increasingly important for future amphibious exercises.
"Defence has a multi-layered approach to managing security across its estate, which includes addressing security risks through protective security, contractual arrangements, and legislative protections," a spokesperson told the ABC.
"Yampi Sound Training Area is predominantly used for land and vehicle based training activities and has a range of security mechanisms in place".
"The Government does not comment on the foreign investment screening arrangements as they apply, or may apply, to particular cases," the spokesperson added.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-12/chinese-island-lease-on-remote-wa-island-causes-concern/13240282
#13164486 at 2021-03-06 21:24:26 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #14 - THE ART OF WAR Edition
#13 - Part 5
Dassi Erlich Tweets / Malka Leifer Extradition and Prosecution
>>12775143 Malka Leifer: how a long-running child sexual abuse case tested Australia's relationship with Israel
#13 - Part 6
Australian Defence Force Afghanistan Inquiry
>>12835403 Afghan militia leader Matiullah Khan gave gold watches to Australian Special Forces commanders - Andrew Greene - abc.net.au
>>13014430 Video: Intelligence officer's death in carpark had links to Brereton report into war crimes in Afghanistan
>>13043453 Fight erupts over Defence moves to sack special forces war crimes whistleblowers
#13 - Part 7
George Papadopoulos Tweets, Alexander Downer and SPYGATE Revelations
>>12951912 Video: EXCLUSIVE: Former Trump aide George Papadopoulos speaks of fateful meeting linked to Russia investigation - Sky News Australia
>>13055733 U.S. Attorney John Durham Announces Departure from Office of United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut
>>13055741 George Papadopoulos Tweet: Durham resigned from his position in Connecticut NOT from his appointment as special counsel. Facts.
>>13056166 John Durham to remain as special counsel in Russia probe, but step aside as U.S. Attorney in Connecticut
#13 - Part 8
Australian and Regional Resignations
>>12866978 Video: Eddie McGuire quits as Collingwood Football CLub president after damning report found systemic prejudice within the organisation
>>12889360 Crown Resorts CEO Ken Barton to resign, heavily criticised in NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority's report into Sydney Casino
>>12892696 Crown Resorts director Andrew Demetriou resigns in the wake of scathing independent probe into Crown Sydney Casino at Barangaroo
>>12910458 Bill Michael quits as chair of KPMG UK after telling staff to 'stop moaning' about work conditions during the pandemic
>>12910458 Baseball Australia boss Cam Vale tenders immediate resignation citing 'rest and reflection'
>>12930302 Crown CEO Ken Barton resigns following scathing report into casino giant
>>13039139 Australian shipbuilder Austal's US boss Craig Perciavalle resigns amid probe over navy contract
>>13077180 Crown Resorts director John Poynton resigns following regulator pressure
#12835403 at 2021-02-06 01:09:19 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #13 - THE WAR IS REAL Edition
Afghan militia leader Matiullah Khan gave gold watches to Australian Special Forces commanders
Andrew Greene - 6 February 2021
Australian Special Forces commanders were given gold watches by a corrupt Afghan warlord who doubled as a powerful local police chief.
The ABC can reveal notorious Afghan militia leader Matiullah Khan, who was killed in 2015, regularly presented Rado watches worth more than $1,000 to senior Australian soldiers during rotations in Uruzgan province.
Former soldiers who served in Australia's Special Operations Task Group told the ABC the lavish gifts caused unease among troops.
Khan, a provincial strongman with a reputation for brutality, was a key figure during Australia's lengthy involvement in the Afghanistan War.
Believed to have been killed in a Taliban suicide bombing in Kabul, he was a friend and ally of former President Hamid Karzai.
Khan's political connections and his private army helped keep the Taliban at bay in Uruzgan Province, where Australian forces operated for many years.
He grew rich through coalition military support, magnifying his already substantial power and influence.
When he became police chief, his officers were accused of murder and torture.
Australian National University Professor of International Security and Intelligence Studies John Blaxland said Australia benefited from its close relationship with the police chief.
"He was very well connected, and he had his own force that was well-placed to strike a deal with Australia in order to keep the Australian military footprint to a minimum," he said.
"And the price of that deal was that we gave Matiullah Khan a degree of profile, prestige and influence."
Australian soldiers said Khan distributed gold watches as a demonstration of his status and to refuse the luxury items might have caused offence or embarrassment.
"Australian government practice is essentially to try to avoid receiving gifts but there are instances, particularly when dealing internationally with other cultures where it is demonstrably inappropriate not to take the gift," Professor Blaxland said.
An Australian Department of Defence spokesperson said in response that "defence policy requires that personnel do not accept or provide gifts or benefits if the acceptance or provision would create an inappropriate impression, or create a perception or expectation of preferential treatment."
"Defence does not comment on operational matters," the spokesperson also said.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-06/afghan-militia-leader-gold-watches-australia-special-forces/13122922
#11689814 at 2020-11-18 05:19:37 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #11 - THE SILENT WAR CONTINUES Edition
>>11689784
2/5
Another Defence document condemned the Cock of the Year award as a "morally bankrupt and gutless attack with no intent except to humiliate through a mob mentality", adding it was no longer humorous and was "becoming poisonous and divisive" and "cowardly".
"Who here would be happy to be pulled up in from of the [regiment] as Cock of the Year and humiliated?" it asked.
Defence has told the ABC that it did investigate the 2010 Cock of the Year award, adding that the Stirrer's Parade was suspended in 2017, and hasn't been held since.
But, put simply, the Stirrer's Parade was largely emblematic of what had gone wrong with the SAS, at home and in Afghanistan.
"We had some good sergeants and not so good sergeants," says another former SAS operator. "The not so good sergeants were the ones who were able to shape and influence and be those cancerous individuals that led [the SAS] down that path."
That path led to a more than four-year inquiry by the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force (IGADF).
Headed by New South Wales Supreme Court judge and Army Reserve Major General Paul Brereton, the inquiry was sparked by "vague rumours of special forces soldiers' very serious wrongdoing over a period of more than 10 years". The most important report in the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) recent history, the military brass is preparing for the bombshell when it is publicly released tomorrow.
Resistance to interrogation
Among the inquiry's biggest challenges has been to lift the veil of secrecy on which the special forces community relies, to gain the trust of sceptical and sometimes frightened witnesses, and to corroborate the often nebulous "rumours" of war crimes on distant battlefields.
This was never going to go to script, like a TV crime show in which the guilty crack and confess. The SAS operators being interviewed by the inquiry team have all done "resistance to interrogation" training. These are hard men who have been taught how to endure torture, beatings and sleep deprivation in a bid to break them.
The driving force behind the inquiry has been Paul Brereton himself, a highly respected jurist and no-nonsense inquisitor.
Over the course of the inquiry, Brereton and his team have heard shocking allegations of the cold-blooded killings of civilians, the summary execution of detainees, bashings, the planting of weapons on bodies, and the "blooding" of special forces soldiers involving superiors ordering them to shoot people.
These allegations involve some of our most elite soldiers, revered for their courage and celebrated for their honour. The special forces who shouldered the load in Afghanistan constitute just 5 per cent of our military personnel, yet they made up half of the casualties in that conflict. The men of the SAS and commandos have been held up as heroes and role models by our political leaders, and some have been showered with awards and decorations. Yet, here were some of them - a small minority, it has to be said - being accused of the most heinous of crimes, including the murder of innocents.
The secret database
For the past 14 months I have been travelling the country talking to former special forces soldiers and support staffers who have served in Afghanistan.
They are a naturally reticent, even secretive bunch. They work in the shadows and the vast majority don't seek the limelight. The media is to be shunned. We are almost worse than the Taliban. For many, what happened years ago in the valleys, mountains and mud compounds of Afghanistan should stay there.
These veterans have also seen what happens when the media gets involved in reporting allegations of war crimes. Few would forget AFP officers swarming the lobby of the ABC's Ultimo office in June last year, searching the broadcaster's database for evidence linked to the 2017 Afghan Files series. Former military lawyer David McBride has been charged with leaking classified documents, breaching the Defence Act, and stealing Commonwealth property.
Following the ground-breaking work of Nine Newspapers' Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters, and the ABC's Dan Oakes, Andrew Greene and Sam Clark, I found there were veterans who did want to talk about some of the things they saw. Incidents that haunted them. They believed that these crimes needed to be exposed, the perpetrators punished, and the regiment's honour restored.
(continued)
#6294562 at 2019-04-24 09:10:39 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #4 - Q Goes Down Under Edition
>>6294548
>>6294548
US spy boss James Robert
Clapper Jr makes secretive visit to Australia
Exclusive by defence reporter Andrew Greene
Posted 15 Mar 2016, 8:38pm
James Clapper testifies before US Senate
America's top spy, the US Director of National Intelligence, is on a secret visit to Australia, the ABC has learnt.
James Robert Clapper Jr directs the US National Intelligence Program and reports directly to President Barack Obama.
So far the Federal Government is refusing to give any details of his activities and meetings while in Australia, but the United States embassy in Canberra has confirmed Mr Clapper's visit.
"As allies, the United States and Australia cooperate closely on a wide range of issues," an embassy spokeswoman told the ABC.
"It is not uncommon that senior US Government officials visit Australia and engage in high-level consultations."
Before flying to Australia Mr Clapper stopped over in New Zealand where he met with Prime Minister John Key.
"I've met General Clapper on a couple of occasions. He's obviously got great insight into intelligence and what's happening around the world," Mr Key said.
The US intelligence chief is believed to be travelling onboard a US military C-17 Globemaster.
Last week the Australian Federal Police hosted the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation James B Comey on a two-day visit to Australia.
Mr Comey also met with Attorney-General George Brandis and Justice Minister Michael Keenan.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-16/us-spy-boss-makes-secretive-visit-to-australia/7251590?pfmredir=sm