FUNERAL POSTPONED – Bryan (Jazza) Smith 

Jazza’s funeral has had to be rescheduled due to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Albert. His funeral will now be held on Monday, 17th March 2025 all other details remain the same only the date has changed.

Sorry for the lateness of this notice, but there is currently no power.

Ray

The AS21 Redback is a cutting-edge infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) designed for modern battlefield operations. Developed by Hanwha Defence, this armoured combat vehicle features advanced active protection systems, composite armour, and a 30mm automatic cannon, making it one of the most powerful military vehicles today. Built for high mobility, survivability, and firepower, the AS21 Redback competes with the Boxer CRV in Australia’s Land 400 Phase 3 program. Its modular design allows it to serve as a command vehicle, medical evacuation vehicle, or frontline combat IFV. With state-of-the-art fire control, communication systems, and all-terrain capability, this next-generation IFV is attracting interest from militaries worldwide. Could this be the future of modern warfare? Watch our full breakdown of the AS21 Redback and see how it compares to other armoured vehicles!

A significant accident occurred near Lismore, New South Wales, involving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel engaged in recovery efforts following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. At approximately 5:00 PM on Saturday, March 8, 2025, two army trucks were involved in a crash on Tregeagle Road in Tregeagle, about 9 km southwest of Lismore.

The accident involved 32 ADF personnel. Initial reports indicated that one vehicle left the roadway and rolled, with a second vehicle tipping over while attempting to avoid the first. The road is in poor condition as a result of the 2022 floods, and locals are not surprised to see a heavy vehicle accident in the area.

Emergency services, including NSW Ambulance paramedics, responded promptly, treating and transporting the injured to local hospitals. Thirteen soldiers sustained injuries, with six reported as serious. All injured personnel are receiving treatment in local hospitals. Authorities have stated that the injuries appear to be non-life-threatening.

Despite their own injuries, many soldiers immediately went into recovery mode, assisting their fellow personnel. One soldier, despite suffering a broken arm, refused to stop helping his injured mates until emergency services arrived. Their quick actions were instrumental in stabilizing the situation before medical teams took over.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed deep concern over the incident, referring to the soldiers as “heroes” for their service during the disaster response. He emphasized that the welfare of the injured personnel is the top priority. Defence Minister Richard Marles and NSW Premier Chris Minns also conveyed their support for the affected soldiers and their families.

Tregeagle Road remains closed as investigations continue, and authorities advise the public to avoid the area. The region has been experiencing severe weather conditions due to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, leading to heavy rainfall, flooding, and hazardous road conditions.

The Crash Investigation Unit is examining the circumstances surrounding the accident. Preliminary assessments suggest that wet and treacherous road conditions may have contributed to the vehicles leaving the roadway.

Trump took to Truth Social on March 7, 2025, to announce his plans for expanded sanctions and tariffs on Russia. His move follows a dramatic escalation in the war in Ukraine, raising questions about the broader geopolitical implications.

Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on March 7, aiming to disrupt essential services and weaken civilian morale. Nearly 70 missiles and 200 drones targeted power plants, water supplies, and heating systems. Ukrainian officials accused Russia of “weaponizing winter” to break the country’s resilience.

Compounding the crisis, the U.S. recently cut off intelligence sharing with Ukraine, leaving the country vulnerable. Without access to satellite imagery and advanced warnings, Ukraine’s ability to counter incoming attacks has been severely diminished. Analysts question whether Russia’s bold strike was a direct result of this strategic shift. Notably, many of the attacking drones were Iranian-made Shahed drones, a key component of Russia’s aerial assaults.

In response, President Zelenskyy took to X, calling for a truce and proposing conditions for peace. His demands include a ban on missiles, long-range drones, and bombs, as well as guarantees for safe navigation at sea. The reaction has been mixed—some accuse him of seeking peace only after losing crucial U.S. support, while others argue that the move is necessary to prevent further destruction.

Meanwhile, Trump’s announcement of stricter sanctions has also divided opinion. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent supports the move, arguing that previous sanctions were too weak and allowed Russia to continue funding its war machine. Bessent pledged that new measures would exert “immediate maximum impact” to force Russia into negotiations.

As the war rages on, both Trump’s sanctions strategy and Zelenskyy’s peace appeal will shape the next phase of the conflict.

The Big Announcement

On March 7, 2025, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced plans to introduce mandatory military training for all adult men. The initiative aims to prepare Poland’s male population for potential wartime scenarios and strengthen national defence in response to growing regional security concerns.

The training program is designed to equip men with fundamental military skills, even if they do not enlist in the armed forces. A comprehensive model for the training is expected to be finalized by the end of the year. The government is also considering including women in the program, though Tusk remarked that “war is still to a greater extent the domain of men.”

Geopolitical Concerns Driving the Decision

Poland’s strategic location plays a significant role in its security posture. The country is positioned between Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave, and Belarus, a key Russian ally, which creates considerable geopolitical pressure.

The government plans to expand its armed forces, including reservists, from 200,000 to 500,000 personnel. Tusk emphasized the disparity in military strength between regional players, noting that Ukraine maintains 800,000 troops while Russia commands a force of 1.3 million.

Exploring Nuclear Capabilities

In addition to conventional military expansion, Poland is exploring nuclear defence options. Tusk referenced Ukraine’s vulnerability after relinquishing its nuclear arsenal, highlighting Poland’s concerns about deterrence. Poland is evaluating France’s nuclear umbrella proposal but seeks clarification on command and control aspects.

Boosting Defence Spending

Poland has already emerged as NATO’s top defence spender, allocating 4.7% of its GDP to military expenditures in 2025, with plans to raise it to 5%.

Recent military acquisitions include a $20 billion arms deal with the United States for Abrams tanks, F-35 fighter jets, and Apache helicopters. Additional contracts with South Korea have secured K2 tanks and FA-50 aircraft, further modernizing Poland’s military capabilities.

Public Response

The announcement has sparked a spectrum of reactions among Polish citizens. Supporters argue that mandatory training is a necessary measure to bolster national security. Critics express concerns over increased militarization and the implications of compulsory service.

As Poland fortifies its defence posture, the success of this initiative will depend on public reception, effective implementation, and broader geopolitical developments in the region.

ED: Be aware this contains strong language

The Old Fella has his say about this Cyclone Alfred rolling coverage… and a few other things…probably TMI…

Jacinta Yangapi Nampijinpa Price

Many people assume that certain Aboriginal cultural practices, such as dot painting and Welcome to Country ceremonies, have been passed down for thousands of years. However, historical evidence suggests that these traditions were actually developed in recent decades.

• Dot Painting was invented in 1971 by Geoffrey Bardon, a white schoolteacher, who introduced the technique to Aboriginal artists in Papunya. Traditional Aboriginal art existed long before this, but there are no ancient dot paintings found in caves or on rock walls. The distinctive modern style emerged as part of a contemporary art movement.
• The Welcome to Country ceremony was created in 1976 by Ernie Dingo and Richard Walley. It was originally performed to welcome visiting Māori performers as a reciprocal gesture of hospitality. Unlike the Māori haka, which has deep historical and linguistic roots, there is no traditional Aboriginal word for Welcome to Country. This raises the question: How can it be an “ancient ceremony” if no term for it existed in traditional Aboriginal languages?
• The Acknowledgement of Country was introduced even later, in the 1990s. It is not an ancient ritual but rather a modern protocol developed for official and corporate settings.
• The Smoking Ceremony, often presented as an ancient practice, is another modern invention, also linked to Ernie Dingo around 1976. While smoke was used in some Indigenous customs for cleansing or healing, the formalized smoking ceremonies seen today were not widely practiced before the late 20th century.
• There is no photographic, film, or video evidence of any of these ceremonies being performed at major events—such as Royal Tours, AFL/NRL Grand Finals, the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, or ANZAC Day services—before the 1970s and 1990s. If these traditions were truly ancient and widespread, they would have been documented in historical footage.

The Importance of Truth Over Myth

Understanding history honestly is essential. While cultural traditions evolve over time, it is misleading to claim that recent inventions are ancient practices. Rather than accepting myths at face value, we should question narratives that are presented as historical fact.

Business Review – Sydney

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has finally acknowledged what critics of mass immigration have long argued—Australia’s high immigration rates are eroding productivity. Last week, the RBA’s Michael Plumb admitted that the bank’s productivity forecasts had been overly optimistic for a decade. He pointed to ‘capital shallowing’—where population growth outpaces business and infrastructure investment—as a key factor.

“Labour productivity depends on two things,” Plumb stated. “The first is how much capital each person has to work with. Providing workers with more or better capital—like machines or faster computers—can increase output. This is known as ‘capital deepening.’” The second factor is multifactor productivity (MFP), which improves when labour and capital are used more efficiently.

However, both MFP and capital deepening have stagnated. “Capital per worker was broadly unchanged for around five years leading up to the pandemic and is now slightly below those levels,” Plumb noted. “Overall investment has not kept pace with strong employment growth.”

Economic commentator Ross Gittins has explicitly linked declining productivity to Australia’s high immigration rates. “Economists love high immigration, as it grows the economy. But what they forget to mention is that growth in material living standards depends on productivity,” Gittins wrote.

“If you increase population without ensuring enough investment in capital—extra machines for workers, extra houses, roads, schools, and hospitals—everyone’s standard of living declines. In economists’ jargon, immigration must not reduce the ‘capital-to-labour ratio.’ Without sufficient investment in ‘capital deepening’ and ‘capital widening,’ productivity falls.”

This failure to match immigration with infrastructure spending has left Australia in a productivity crisis. Independent economist Gerard Minack highlighted this last year, stating that rapid population growth and declining investment have led to a collapse in per capita capital stock. “Less deepening means less productivity growth,” Minack warned. “Low investment and fast population growth are crushing productivity, leading to structurally weak income growth.”

The problem is set to worsen. Treasury’s Centre for Population projects that Australia’s population will grow by 4.1 million in the next decade, mostly in major cities. The Intergenerational Report forecasts a staggering increase of 13 million people—nearly 50%—in 38 years, primarily due to high immigration.

Despite these warnings, the federal government remains committed to an aggressive immigration policy, ignoring the lack of investment needed to support such growth. The mismatch is clear: Canberra controls immigration, while state governments bear the burden of providing infrastructure and services. The result is a continuous productivity decline.

Now that the RBA has acknowledged the issue, will it pressure the federal government to curb immigration? Given the political and economic inertia, Australians shouldn’t hold their breath.

Australian Army, CASG and RMMV officials at the handover. Photo: ADF.

The final unit of more than 3,500 heavy trucks has been delivered to the Australian Defence Force in Queensland, marking the completion of a significant logistics capability program.

The vehicles, supplied under Project LAND 121 Phase 3B/5B, were assembled and delivered in multiple configurations, with the majority completed at a dedicated military vehicle facility in Ipswich. The program included the delivery of 3,580 medium and heavy military logistics trucks along with 3,165 modules and protected cabs, fulfilling requirements for recovery vehicles, transporters, self-loading hook-lifts, fuel trucks, tractors, and tippers. The HX series trucks, powered by a six-cylinder in-line diesel engine, can reach a maximum weight of 41,000 kg.

As the primary logistics vehicle for the Australian Army, these trucks provide essential transport capabilities for personnel, supplies, and equipment. The first of these vehicles entered service over a decade ago, playing a critical role in military and humanitarian operations.

The trucks were manufactured in Austria, with final assembly completed in southeast Queensland. Additional support was provided by teams across Victoria and Queensland. With the fleet now fully delivered, ongoing maintenance and sustainment will be managed through a national network of industry partners and suppliers.

A dedicated team of service representatives will continue to support Army personnel across Australia to ensure the reliability and operational effectiveness of the vehicles. More than 20,000 of these trucks are currently in service with various NATO member and partner nations, including New Zealand, Germany, the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Singapore, and Canada.

The introduction of these trucks has enhanced the Army’s transport and logistics capabilities, making them a visible and integral part of operations both domestically and internationally. They are widely used for transporting equipment, towing artillery, and supporting humanitarian missions in times of crisis. The successful collaboration between Defence and industry partners has resulted in the timely and cost-effective delivery of this essential capability.

Our thoughts are with the entire Northern NSW community as they face the devasting impact of Cyclone Alfred.

RSL LifeCare is committed to supporting veterans and their families affected by this severe weather event. Our Disaster Assistance Payment is available to veterans and their families whose residences have been impacted by the disaster, providing initial financial assistance of up to $3,000 per household. This support will be available for up to three months from the date the disaster is officially declared.

RSL LifeCare will activate the Disaster Assistance Payment as soon as the NSW Government formally declares the disaster. Information regarding disaster declarations, including the Australian Government Reference Number (AGRN), disaster type, and affected areas can be found here: NSW Government Disaster Declaration.

If you know a veteran affected by this natural disaster who requires financial assistance, please reach out to RSL LifeCare Veteran Services via our website or call (02) 8088 0388.

To all veterans and their families in cyclone-affected areas: we stand with you, and we are here to support you through this challenging time.

Best regards,

David Anderson Executive General Manager – Veteran Services

RSL LifeCare

RSL LifeCare, Level 5, 120 Pacific Highway St

Leonards, NSW, Australia 2065