Donald Trump wasted no time in making his mark upon returning to the White House. His bold first day included the signing of a significant number of executive orders, signalling his intent to reverse course from the previous administration and reshape America in line with his vision. Estimates suggest these orders could total as many as 200, making this one of the most aggressive policy reversals in modern presidential history.

Key Executive Orders

Some of Trump’s most notable executive actions include:

1. Rescinding 78 Biden-era Executive Orders
   • These reversals target regulations and policies implemented during Joe Biden’s term, including measures tied to environmental protections, healthcare reforms, and immigration policy.
2. Declaration of National Emergency at the Southern Border
   • Trump has reinstated his focus on border security, emphasising the construction and completion of the southern border wall. This move is expected to reignite debates over immigration policy and national sovereignty.
3. Pardoning January 6 Protesters
   • Labelling them as “January 6 hostages,” Trump issued a sweeping pardon for approximately 1,500 individuals involved in the Capitol events. This decision underscores his narrative of political persecution.
4. Revocation of Electric Vehicle Targets
   • In a direct challenge to Biden’s green energy agenda, Trump has dismantled federal electric vehicle mandates, calling them costly and ineffective.
5. Elimination of Gender Ideology Guidance
   • Trump’s executive order now officially recognises only two genders, male and female, removing federal support for programs promoting gender identity inclusivity.
6. Delay of TikTok Ban Enforcement
   • Contrary to expectations, Trump has chosen to delay enforcing a ban on TikTok for 75 days, citing the need for further review.
7. Withdrawal from Global Agreements
   • Reaffirming his “America First” stance, Trump has withdrawn the U.S. from the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organization, citing these as costly endeavours that undermine national interests.

A Return to Bold Leadership

Trump’s inauguration was accompanied by the characteristic flair and assertiveness that defined his first term. His supporters see this as a restoration of strength and decisiveness. His swift actions leave no doubt that Trump plans to govern with urgency and purpose.

Biden’s Controversial Last-Minute Pardons

In his final hours as president, Joe Biden issued a slew of controversial pardons that have drawn widespread criticism. In what appears to be a pre-emptive move to shield his family and key allies from future legal scrutiny, Biden set a record for the most individual pardons and commutations issued by any U.S. president.

Family Pardons

Biden granted clemency to five family members:

• His brother James and sister-in-law Sara Biden.
• His sister Valerie and her husband John Owens.
• His brother Francis Biden.

Biden defended his actions, stating that these pardons were necessary to protect his family from “unrelenting attacks” and emphasised that the pardons were not admissions of guilt.

Protecting Allies

Biden’s pardons extended to high-profile figures, including:

• Dr. Anthony Fauci: The nation’s leading infectious disease expert, who has faced scrutiny from Trump and his allies.
• Retired General Mark Milley: The former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who has also been a target of Trump’s criticism.

Both Fauci and Milley welcomed the pardons, citing a desire to avoid retaliation.

Record-Breaking Clemency

Biden’s clemency actions also included:

• Reducing sentences for nearly 2,500 non-violent drug offenders.
• Commuting death sentences for 37 individuals, converting them to life imprisonment.

While Biden’s supporters applaud these actions, critics argue they were politically motivated and undermine accountability.

Looking Ahead

As Donald Trump embarks on his second term, the stark contrast between his leadership style and that of Joe Biden could not be more evident. Trump’s focus on bold, immediate action contrasts sharply with Biden’s controversial and, at times, polarizing final decisions. The coming months will reveal the long-term impacts of these divergent approaches on the United States and its place in the world.

One of our long time Laurieton RSL Sub-branch members, Laurie Ross died on 16 January 2024. He was 92.

Laurie initially joined the Australian Army in 1952 and served in the Korean War from May 1954 until May 1955 with the 1^st Battalion, RAR.   He discharged but rejoined in 1965 and served two tours of Vietnam. His first tour was from January 1968 until January 1969. He returned to Vietnam in May 1970 until May 1971 with 8^th Field Hospital and 1^st Australian Field Hospital in Vung Tau.  He discharged again in 1971.

A funeral, including an RSL Tribute, for Laurie will be held on Thursday 23 January 2024 in Laurieton, followed by a wake at the Laurieton United Services Club.

RIP Lawrence Harry (Laurie) Ross

Peter Bruce, OAM

[email protected]

In today’s video, we rank the world’s most powerful main battle tanks, the key weapons of modern armored forces. These tanks are not only recognized for their firepower but also for their cutting-edge technology and battlefield dominance. From the precision of Japan’s Type 90 to the unmatched engineering of Germany’s Leopard 2A7A1, we delve into the features and innovations that make these tanks extraordinary.

Defence Australia has announced a new $100 million contract for Bendigo defence manufacturer Thales Australia to build another 40 Bushmaster-protected vehicles.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended his congratulations to Donald Trump for becoming the 47th President of the United States and has expressed readiness to engage in discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti reported the development on January 20.

During a Security Council meeting, Putin emphasized Moscow’s openness to dialogue with the new U.S. administration, aiming for what he termed “lasting peace” in Ukraine. “The goal should be a durable peace that respects the legitimate interests of all people and nations in the region,” Putin stated. He also stressed that any negotiations with the United States must be conducted on an “equal and mutually respectful basis.”

Trump’s Pledge to End the War in Ukraine

President Trump, who made resolving the Ukraine conflict a cornerstone of his campaign, has set an ambitious objective of securing peace. While he initially pledged to broker a peace deal on his first day in office, his advisors have since acknowledged that achieving this goal could take several months or longer.

Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, has confirmed that the administration is aiming to make significant progress toward peace within the first 100 days of Trump’s presidency. Reports indicate that Trump has instructed his aides to arrange a phone call with President Putin shortly after his inauguration on January 20. This call is expected to explore avenues for ending the war in Ukraine, with the potential for a face-to-face meeting between the two leaders in the coming months.

Direct Engagement with Putin

President Trump has long advocated for direct engagement with Putin as a strategy for resolving the Ukraine conflict. According to a source close to the president, “Trump believes that direct engagement with Putin is essential to finding a solution to end the war.”

Trump’s national security team has reportedly been preparing for this engagement for weeks, although the exact timing of a potential meeting remains uncertain.

Ukrainian Perspective

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed cautious optimism about Trump’s commitment to peace. Zelensky hopes that the new U.S. administration can provide “real security guarantees” for Ukraine, which has been seeking NATO membership, security assurances, and the deployment of an international peacekeeping contingent to deter future Russian aggression.

As the international community watches closely, Trump’s presidency could usher in a new chapter in U.S.-Russia relations, with potential implications for the future of Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape.

Electricity Generation by Nuclear Energy

(An article by Dr John Griffin concerning his knowledge and experience in nuclear energy). Republished from the Tweed Heads & Coolangatta RSL Sub Branch Inc. Newsletter.

The issue of nuclear energy is topical and I take the opportunity to provide information based upon my training and experience. I am supportive of nuclear energy.

During my initial engineering qualification, I completed a course in nuclear engineering conducted by an engineer from Calder Hall (the first nuclear facility constructed in the UK). The purpose of Calder Hall was to produce fissionable material for nuclear weapons, a “by product” was 250MWe provided to the electricity grid.

The design and legislative requirements were commenced in 1947 and Calder Hall commenced production in 1956 and continued to 2003.

I have had the opportunity to visit operational nuclear power stations in the UK; Dungeness (now closed down), Tourness and recently the construction of Hinkley Point C (HPC).

HPC site is 174 ha and will have two reactors providing 3200MWe.

Planning and legislative measures were commenced in 2006 for approval, and work commenced in 2017 with an expected cost of GBP31bn and operational by 2025. Currently the estimated cost is GBP47.9bn with Unit 1 being operational by 2031 (on site discussion suggested “not before 2032 and Unit 2 a couple of years later”).

Early nuclear plants had a design life of 30 years, currently the design life is 40-60 years.

It is expected that the current world reserves of uranium could run reactors for approximately 200 years at the current rate of consumption. (Australia has the largest reserve with about one third of global reserves)

Nuclear reactors require refuelling every 18-24 months (replacing one third of its core) at a cost of approximately USD40m.

In the UK, the waste from nuclear plants has been processed and stored at Sellafield (the site of Calder Hall), commencing operations in 1950, however it was closed in 2003 and site decommissioning commenced in 2005. It is forecast that the cost of decommissioning currently is GBP136bn. Currently waste from nuclear power stations is stored on site at each station.

Planning for a follow-on nuclear power plant is Sizewell C (which is to be a copy of HPC). This plant will be owned and operated by French company EDF as is HPC. October 2012 was the commencement and in May 2020 the plans were submitted to the UK government who had provided GBP100m towards the project.

In March 2022 funding legislation was passed and in July 2022 the Development Consent Order was approved. The UK Government, in December 2022 provided GBP700m (which gave 50% share holding with EDF). In August 2023 the UK Government allocated a further GBP341m and in September commenced seeking private investments.

In January 2024 the UK Government added an additional GBP1.36bn.

During my career in the electricity industry, I had occasion in the 1980’s to examine alternative fuel resources for electricity generation to replace liquid fossil fuels. At this time there was publicity relating to Small Modular Reactors (SMR); however, this is still the position today. Rolls Royce have announced that they plan to have an SMR of possibly 250MW to 500MW size available by 2035 at the earliest.

John Griffin

Brief Bio – Dr John Griffin

Dr. John Griffin is a distinguished professional with a diverse background in engineering, management, and public service. He has held significant positions, including General Manager of the Northern Territory Electricity Commission, City Manager of the City of Keilor in Victoria, and General Manager of Tweed Shire Council. Throughout his career, Dr. Griffin has been actively involved in various professional, industry, government, and sporting organizations. His commitment to public service is further exemplified by his tenure as an Officer in the Royal Australian Naval Reserve and his membership on the Veterans Review Board.

In recognition of his dedication, Dr. Griffin is a Life Member of the Returned and Services League of Australia and currently serves as President of the Tweed Heads and Coolangatta RSL Sub-Branch. He is also a Life Member and Director of the Twin Towns Services Club. His contributions to the health sector are notable; he is a Member of the Health Professional Councils Authority and serves on the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Previously, he was a member of the Sydney and Regional Planning Panels. Since 2016, Dr. Griffin has been a dedicated member of the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) Board, contributing to the governance and strategic direction of the health district.

Dr. Griffin’s extensive experience and unwavering commitment to community service have significantly impacted the organizations and communities he has served.

Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom have begun sharing materials and equipment to develop nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS pact. The AUKUS Naval Nuclear Propulsion Agreement came into effect over the weekend, coinciding with Donald Trump’s inauguration as U.S. President for a second term.

The Australian government is accelerating its commitment to the AUKUS initiative, pledging an additional $262 million to bolster domestic opportunities through programs such as the Defence Industry Development Grants, Global Supply Chain Program, and Defence Industry Vendor Qualification Program. These investments are projected to support around 125 businesses nationwide as Australia prepares to acquire Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines in the 2030s.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles emphasized the agreement’s significance, stating, “We are continuing to build and invest in an Australian submarine industrial base capable of supporting our future nuclear-powered submarine fleet and underpinning a strong local economy over the coming decades.”

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy highlighted efforts to ensure Australian businesses play a vital role in supply chains for the U.S. and UK, noting the importance of fostering skills and creating commercial opportunities for local industries.

Incoming U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed strong support for AUKUS, calling it a strategic move to enhance collaboration and maintain geopolitical balance in the Indo-Pacific region.

The activation of this agreement marks a significant step in strengthening defence partnerships and advancing Australia’s capabilities, with long-term benefits for the nation’s security and economy.

Australia Military receives the first AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzer Citing from the global defense news website, The delivery marks the start of a $788 million contract signed in December 2021 between the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) and Hanwha Defense Australia.

By Ray Payne OAM

Australia Day, celebrated annually on the 26th of January, has often been misunderstood or misrepresented in both educational contexts and public discourse. This article aims to clarify its historical significance and address common misconceptions.

The Historical Timeline

Captain Cook’s Landing

Captain James Cook did not arrive in Australia on January 26. His historic landing occurred on April 28, 1770, at Botany Bay. This event, while significant, is unrelated to the date we commemorate as Australia Day.

The First Fleet

The First Fleet, under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip, arrived in Botany Bay on January 18, 1788. However, finding the area unsuitable for settlement, they moved to Port Jackson (modern-day Sydney Cove), where they officially raised the British flag on January 26, 1788. This marked the establishment of the first European colony in Australia.

Formation of Australian Citizenship

The 26th of January took on a broader significance in modern history. On this date in 1949, the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 came into effect, creating Australian citizenship. Before this, Australians were considered British subjects. The Act marked a key moment of national identity, granting all Australians, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, citizenship rights.

Addressing Misconceptions

Not a Celebration of Invasion: Contrary to some narratives, Australia Day does not commemorate an “invasion.” It originally marked the establishment of a penal colony under British governance and later evolved to symbolise Australian unity and identity.

The Role of Education: The lack of clarity surrounding Australia Day stems partly from insufficient emphasis on its true historical context in the education system. Educators must teach the complexities of this date, acknowledging both its significance and the broader history of British colonisation.

The Significance of January 26

A Unifying Date: Australia Day represents the beginning of modern Australia as a unified nation. It’s a day for celebrating achievements, reflecting on history, and acknowledging the diversity of contemporary Australia.

Recognition of Aboriginal History: While the day has different meanings for different communities, including the painful history of colonisation for Indigenous Australians, it’s an opportunity to reflect on both the positive and negative aspects of our shared history.

Citizenship Ceremonies: The day’s association with the Nationality and Citizenship Act of 1948 underscores its importance. January 26 is when new Australians receive citizenship, symbolising inclusion and unity.

Moving Forward

Honouring All Histories: Australia’s history is multifaceted, encompassing the achievements of modern Australians and the deep, enduring cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Education should aim to balance these narratives, teaching the truth about colonisation and celebrating the progress toward unity and equality.

Promoting Understanding: The government and media must play a proactive role in clarifying the significance of January 26. Open dialogue and educational initiatives can help bridge divides and foster a more inclusive celebration.

A Day Worth Celebrating

Australia Day is a time to reflect on the journey of this nation—its triumphs, struggles, and ongoing efforts toward reconciliation. By understanding the true significance of January 26, all Australians can appreciate the freedoms, rights, and responsibilities we share as a nation.

Conclusion

Education is key to understanding why Australia Day is celebrated. It is a day to honour the unity and freedoms achieved through the Nationality and Citizenship Act of 1948, acknowledge the resilience and contributions of Indigenous Australians, and embrace the diversity that defines the nation today. Let us teach future generations the truth about this important day so that it may be a source of pride, reflection, and unity for all Australians.