Originally penned in 1991 by Larry Hannigan, the composition “The Voice of The Australian Flag” resonates even more profoundly in the present era. It addresses the pressing need to safeguard our national symbols and values, given the current threat posed by a faction in Australia that seeks to undermine the flag, the anthem, and potentially the very essence of our nation. These individuals, often cloistered in the digital realm of iPads and smartphones, lack the depth of human experience, having never witnessed the sacrifice of family members for the sake of the flag. Yet, audaciously, they advocate for its alteration based on trivial reasons.

In my sincere perspective, these individuals are misguided and unpatriotic. Their aspirations to dismantle cherished national symbols are futile, as they lack a genuine connection to the profound sacrifices made under the flag. This reading, delivered by John Downes, invites all to comprehend and appreciate the poignant sentiments encapsulated in this timeless piece of writing. Let us embrace it with pride and a steadfast commitment to preserving the essence of our nation.

ED: Ten Minutes well spent.

John Downes – The Voice of the Australia Flag (1991) – YouTube

Is Australia on the brink of repeating the energy policy mistakes made by Germany? Chris Bowen, the energy and climate czar for the Albanese government, touts the green and renewable revolution as Australia’s “golden ticket” to becoming an industrial powerhouse. However, is he turning a blind eye to the failed examples, particularly Germany, and the economic, industrial, and national security consequences that ensued?

Unlike Germany, not everyone is ideologically fixed in their approach to addressing the energy challenges of the 21st century. Even Australia, despite its efforts such as the Inflation Reduction Act, seems open to alternative solutions. As the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) approaches, several leading nations, including the United States and the United Kingdom, are advocating for the nuclear option to reduce carbon footprints and ensure reliable, clean energy for sustained economic and industrial growth amidst heightened geopolitical competition.

A Bloomberg article by John Ainger, Rachel Morison, and Akshat Rathi reveals that the US plans to lead a push at COP28 to triple global installed nuclear power capacity by 2050. This marks a significant shift in the perception of nuclear energy in climate negotiations. The US, joined by the UK, France, Sweden, Finland, South Korea, Japan, Romania, and the United Arab Emirates, aims to triple baseload nuclear power generation globally by the middle of the century.

Support for this approach extends to influential voices like John Kerry, the US special presidential envoy for climate, who emphasizes that nuclear energy is a crucial component of a clean energy solution. The American Nuclear Society underscores the need for nuclear-inclusive lending policies to facilitate a large-scale build-out of nuclear energy, promoting sustainability.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) emphasizes that nuclear power has played a significant role in avoiding carbon dioxide emissions, providing clean energy, and contributing to energy security. It can also help decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors, such as transportation and industry, and play a vital role in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Despite the growing international consensus and approval from experts, Australia’s energy czar seems resistant to learn from the experiences of other nations. This reluctance, critics argue, could condemn Australians to unreliable power, high electricity prices, and vulnerability to Beijing’s growing manufacturing influence.

As the world undergoes a shift towards multipolarity, the Indo-Pacific region becomes a hotbed of competition, with emerging powers like China, India, and others vying for dominance. In this environment, Australia must seek every competitive edge to thrive. To capitalize on the opportunities in the Indo-Pacific, Australia needs to adopt a long-term strategy that goes beyond traditional policy perspectives and addresses the challenges and opportunities presented in the region.

As events unfold, the crucial question remains: when will Australia conduct a more detailed analysis and formulate a comprehensive response to the challenges and opportunities it faces? In an era of increasing great power competition, can Australia afford to remain a secondary power, or should it embrace a larger, more independent role? The answers to these questions will shape Australia’s future in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.

ED: You may have grandchildren who would be interested in these studies. 

Defence Minister Richard Marles recently unveiled a significant initiative aimed at boosting the skilled workforce required for the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine project. The Australian government, is investing $128 million over four years, starting in 2024, to create thousands of extra Commonwealth-supported places in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses at 16 Australian universities.

The primary goal is to attract and train Australian students in engineering, mathematics, chemistry, and physics, aligning with the demands of the AUKUS nuclear submarine program. These additional places, totalling 4,001, will be distributed across 38 STEM-related courses, opening opportunities for students beginning their studies in the next academic year.

Minister Marles emphasising its importance in cultivating the workforce essential for constructing and maintaining Australia’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines. Over 1,000 of the new slots will be allocated to South Australian universities, directly supporting the submarine construction efforts in Adelaide.

The designated universities participating in this program include:

• The University of Adelaide: 700 places
• RMIT University: 426 places
• University of Wollongong: 425 places
• University of New South Wales: 340 places
• Flinders University: 330 places
• Curtin University: 320 places
• The University of Queensland: 315 places
• The University of Melbourne: 300 places
• Macquarie University: 190 places
• The University of Newcastle: 140 places
• Western Sydney University: 120 places
• Charles Darwin University: 110 places
• The Australian National University: 108 places
• Charles Sturt University: 71 places
• The University of Western Australia: 56 places
• Murdoch University: 50 places

The allocation process involved assessing universities based on the proposed courses’ ability to meet the growing demand for advanced technical skills.

It is important to encouraging more students to pursue STEM subjects to meet the AUKUS program’s skill requirements. Criteria for allocation included the universities’ plans to engage quality teachers, address unmet student demand, expand enrolment levels, and promote participation from under-represented backgrounds.

These 4,001 additional places signals the ongoing commitment to higher education, adding to the 20,000 Commonwealth-supported places already funded. Flinders University expressed gratitude for the government’s decision to allocate 330 Commonwealth-supported places for the Nuclear-Powered Submarines Student Pathways program. Flinders sees this as recognition of its leadership in AUKUS education and research, contributing to South Australia’s workforce development and shipbuilding capacity. Flinders University is prepared to play a pivotal role in supporting the nuclear-powered submarine program through expanded teaching, research, and innovation programs, fostering collaboration with international partners like the University of Rhode Island and The University of Manchester in nuclear science and technology research and education.

Photo: Supplied by Anduril

Anduril Industries has unveiled a groundbreaking defence solution to address the escalating menace of combat drones. The new weapon, named Roadrunner, represents a cost-effective approach to counter the increasing threat of drone attacks.

The Southern California-based defence technology and weapons manufacturer acknowledges the rising accessibility of military-grade drones to terrorist groups. In response, Anduril aims to revolutionize the defence industry’s strategy in dealing with drone threats.

Developed in secret over the past two years, Roadrunner emerges as a compact autonomous fighter jet armed with a warhead. This unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) functions like a rocket during take-off and transforms into a high-speed plane to effectively combat the growing drone threat.

A notable feature of Roadrunner is its ability to autonomously return home, land, and be reused, setting it apart from other counterparts in defence technology. Described as a reusable, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), operator-supervised Autonomous Air Vehicle (AAV), Roadrunner is equipped with twin turbojet engines and supports modular payload configurations for diverse mission requirements.

AMONG the motivational signs around Fort Zinderneuf, (‘Abandon hope all ye who enter here’, ‘The floggings will continue until morale improves’) one topic is taboo.

The words of the eminent public service mandarin Sir Humprey Appleby should be engraved in the stone in Blamey Square.

“A basic rule of government is never look into anything you don’t have to, and never set up an inquiry unless you know in advance what its findings will be”.

A report commissioned by the Department of Veterans Affairs allegedly found rates of partner violence ‘were elevated’ among current and former ADF members, relative to non-military populations.

CLICK LINK to continue reading

ADF domestic violence response in question | Australian Defence History, Policy and Veterans Issues (targetsdown.blogspot.com)

Photo: PTE Nicholas Marquis

The Australian Defence Force achieved a significant milestone with the inaugural live-fire exercise of the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) from the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) at the Woomera Test Range. Executed by personnel from the esteemed 16th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, this event, which transpired on November 14, marked a crucial phase in integrating the recently acquired enhanced NASAMS into the nation’s military capabilities.

The enhanced NASAMS, a ground-based air defence system with a focus on short-range capabilities, was put to the test at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia. This exercise aligns with the recommendations outlined in the Defence Strategic Review earlier in the year, aiming to fortify the Australian Army’s force protection system.

The live-fire demonstration garnered attention from high-ranking officials, including Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, Major General Andrew Bottrell, and representatives from both Australian and international Defence circles. Their presence underscored the strategic importance of this advancement in Australia’s military capabilities.

In a notable precursor to the live-fire event, the 16th Regiment gunners were introduced to the NASAMS system during a trial and certification activity near Jervis Bay in May. The system, an enhanced iteration of the original Norwegian design, incorporates Australian radar technology, a launcher based on the Hawkei platform, and an infrared/optical sensor. This amalgamation represents the foundational element of the Australian Defence Force’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence program.

Looking forward, the 16th Regiment is slated to deploy two batteries when fully operational capability is achieved by 2026. However, concerns have arisen regarding the adequacy of the SAM batteries, especially considering the decision to reduce each battery’s launchers from 6 to 3. This move, while logical from a logistical standpoint, prompts discussions about the overall sufficiency of Australia’s air defence infrastructure.

Comparisons have been drawn with other nations, notably Israel, which, despite its smaller size, boasts a greater number of SAM batteries. Furthermore, the absence of a three-layer defence bubble in most Australian states raises questions about the nation’s overall preparedness.

To address these concerns, some advocate for augmenting the existing SAM batteries with additional SM-6 launchers or their equivalents, aligning with the evolving landscape of direct energy weapons. Another proposed solution involves deploying the Aegis land-based defence system strategically at Fleet Base West, Darwin, and Fleet Base East. This strategic placement would create a comprehensive defence network, with NASAMS SHORAD fulfilling roles beyond the coverage of the Aegis system.

In conclusion, while the successful live-fire exercise at Woomera Test Range signifies a significant step forward in Australia’s air defence capabilities, ongoing deliberations about the optimal configuration of SAM batteries underscore the evolving nature of modern warfare and the imperative for a robust and adaptable defence infrastructure.

A recently released Thai hostage revealed that Israeli captives held with him by Hamas were subjected to physical abuse, including beatings with cables. The Thai national, not named in the report, informed the IDF that the Israelis faced harsher treatment compared to other foreign hostages. The captives, severely underfed, were given only one pita a day, occasionally supplemented with shared cans of tuna or a piece of cheese. The testimony aligns with previous accounts of mistreatment by Hamas.

The Thai worker, part of a group taken during the October 7 events in southern Israel, highlighted the large compound where they were held. The hostages, primarily Thai farmhands employed in Israel, endured challenging conditions. While 23 Thai hostages were released separately from a Qatar-brokered truce, nine remain in Hamas captivity.

Prof. Ronit Lubetzky from Ichilov Hospital noted that children among the hostages lost 10-17 percent of their body weight during the 50-plus-day captivity. In contrast to the Israeli hostages, the release of the Thai nationals did not involve an exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, visiting the freed Thai hostages, emphasized Israel’s commitment to bringing back all hostages and expressed hope for the release of those still held by Hamas. Cohen described Israeli-Thai relations as a “true friendship.”

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is often considered more capable than acknowledged by the United States. Despite some identified issues such as lack of recent combat experience, corruption, and leadership challenges, China has rapidly built up its military over the past three decades. The PLA’s navy, air force, ground forces, and missile capabilities, including hypersonic weaponry, have seen significant advancements. China’s strategic objectives include defeating U.S. forces, and it has been actively preparing for various forms of warfare, including cyber warfare, electronic warfare, and non-kinetic tactics. While challenges exist beyond a certain distance from the Chinese border, China is expanding its global presence with a network of ports and airfields. It’s essential not to underestimate the PLA’s capabilities, as history has shown the consequences of underestimating adversaries. The possibility of a Taiwan attack, involving comprehensive military strategies, should not be dismissed, and it is crucial to be prepared for potential scenarios.

Amid the rapid technological maelstrom of World War 2, cutting-edge aircraft in 1939 found themselves obsolete by 1942, as the aviation industry churned out ever more fearsome and sophisticated warbirds.