The haters are losing the Australia Day fight, and that’s great news for us as a nation

James Morrow -National Affairs Editor

James Morrow is the Daily Telegraph’s National Affairs Editor. James also hosts The US Report, Fridays at 8.00pm and co-anchor of top-rating Sunday morning discussion program Outsiders with Rita Panahi and Rowan Dean on Sundays at 9.00am on Sky News Australia.

 

Is it just me or does the annual Australia Day fight feel different this year?

Normally this summertime warm-up lap for the coming year’s public debates follows a pretty set pattern.

First, one or another council or corporation backs off from the day, saying they don’t want to be part of something “not everyone can celebrate” – or words to that effect.

Then there is the to-and-fro over the meaning of the day and whether it should be on January 26 (though everyone knows you could pick a new date by putting a calendar on a dart board and the haters would still find a way to complain).

Finally, everyone has their day off, their barbecue, their beach, or their “invasion day” rally and moves on with their lives.

But now, in 2025, something feels like it has changed.

No longer are progressive revolutionaries quietly buoyant that if they keep chipping away one day everyone will decide it’s all too hard and the whole edifice will fall.

Instead Australians – like people around the world – are looking at the tut-tutting secular moralisers of the left who see any expression of national pride or sovereignty as being one step removed from fascism and telling them where to go.

First, there were the big corporates: After public backlash, a big supermarket chain and a huge foreign owned pubs group walked back their plans to ignore the day.

Then there was the IPA poll finding a big uptick from last year’s survey about Australia Day, with 69 per cent of respondents saying keep the date.

This included, crucially, a big shift in support among 18 to 24 year olds who recently spent a dozen-plus years being told to feel bad about their history while copping stolen land propaganda from over-politicised teachers.

Finally, there was Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s vow to reverse an Albanese government decision that allowed local councils to stop holding citizenship day ceremonies on Australia Day.

Is it any wonder that the anti-Australia Day crowd is acting more and more unhinged?

On Monday this masthead reported on activist Elsa Tuet-Rosenberg and her social media call to “F**k up their dumb war memorials which glorify western imperialism while refusing to acknowledge the frontier wars”.

“Universities, suburbs, streets, shops etc named after genocidal colonisers? F**k them up too!”

The left senses the wind has changed, and they’re not happy.

Now to be fair, conservatives can also get a bit out over their skis on Australia Day.

But this is done by conflating the basic human, tribal need for a unifying national piss-up with some grand Enlightenment project.

Yes, the arrival of the First Fleet quite literally staked a claim in Australia for a whole set of European and Western ideals, including Australia’s (currently stressed) Enlightenment values of tolerance and acceptance and individualism.

Yet the real point of Australia Day, just as it is for all sorts of other rituals from cheering on the Aussies at the cricket to remembering our dead later in the year at Anzac Day, is more tribal.

It is, or should be, an event to bind us together under one flag no matter where we come from.

In an age when Australians have ever less in common – faith, origin, whatever – and are increasingly being pitted against each other over everything from housing to the Middle East, any sort of societal glue is not just welcome but desperately needed.

This is why there was something so quietly sinister about the Albanese government’s breaking the link between citizenship ceremonies and Australia Day.

Likewise, the suggestion in Labor’s quietly shelved (for now) multiculturalism review that applicants for citizenship be allowed to take their tests not in English but in the language of their homeland.

If, as Australians, we can’t even speak the same language with one another, how are we supposed to come together as neighbours, friends, workmates – and, should it ever come to it, fellow citizens fighting off a common outside enemy?

Impossible, obviously.

This push to devalue national unity is why, ironically, anti-Australia Day leftists and so many big corporates find themselves on the same side on these things, not just on culture war fights but also big ticket policy items like immigration that threaten any vision of the nation as anything more than an economy.

But this also has consequences, from Labor’s both-sidesing the Middle East leading to near-daily anti-Semitic awfulness to a housing crisis whipped on by “Big Australia” lobbyists.

The challenge for Peter Dutton is to catch this wind and use it to tell a binding story not just about Australia’s past but about our collective future.

The aim for the rest of us should be to enjoy the day.

 

 

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken: Midnight Ceasefire Breakthrough Amid Trump’s Warning

In a surprising midnight breakthrough, negotiators in Doha presented a final draft of a ceasefire deal to both Israel and Hamas, marking a significant step toward ending the ongoing conflict. Central to this development is the anticipated release of 33 hostages by Hamas as part of the initial phase of the agreement. The unfolding situation raises the question: is this progress driven by former President Donald Trump’s stern warning to Hamas?

The ceasefire draft, brokered by Qatar, proposes a 42-day halt in hostilities, with hopes that further hostage releases and peace talks will follow. High-level U.S. involvement has been key to the negotiations, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan actively engaging with mediators to ensure both sides agree to the terms.

President Trump made headlines by issuing a direct warning to Hamas. He declared that if hostages are not released before his inauguration on January 20th, there will be “hell to pay.” This stark message has resonated across diplomatic circles, sparking debate over its impact on the current negotiations.

While the Biden administration continues to push for a finalised ceasefire agreement, many analysts argue that Trump’s blunt rhetoric may have created urgency among Hamas leaders. “This is classic Trump,” one commentator noted. “He doesn’t mince words, and that puts pressure on everyone involved.”

The Biden administration is eager to secure a deal before Trump can claim credit for the breakthrough. Secretary Blinken has been in constant communication with Qatari mediators and Israeli officials, ensuring that all parties remain committed to the ceasefire’s terms. Jake Sullivan expressed optimism during a recent press briefing, stating, “We are closer than ever to seeing hostages released and a meaningful pause in violence.”

However, the ongoing negotiations remain delicate. The ceasefire draft includes provisions for the release of 33 hostages, but Hamas still holds an additional 94 captives. Israel believes that some of the hostages expected to be released may be deceased, adding complexity to the agreement’s implementation.

The midnight breakthrough in Doha has set the stage for what could be a pivotal moment in Middle Eastern diplomacy. Both Israeli and Hamas delegations have acknowledged receiving the draft and are preparing for another round of talks scheduled for Tuesday morning. Progress has been reported on key issues, but finalising the remaining details will require further effort.

If the ceasefire holds and hostages are released, it could be a major victory for the Biden administration. However, if the negotiations falter or if Trump’s rhetoric is perceived as the driving force behind Hamas’s actions, the narrative may shift to favour of Trump.

For now, the world watches as Secretary Blinken and his team work to secure the release of hostages and broker peace. Whether this success can be attributed to Biden’s diplomacy or Trump’s threats remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the pressure is mounting, and the stakes are higher than ever.

 

 

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20 Years of Ocean Currents: What Climate Activists Got Wrong

For years, climate activists and their media allies have warned of a looming crisis, claiming that human-induced climate change would drastically slow ocean currents. This slowdown, they argued, would wreak havoc on global weather patterns, marine ecosystems, and coastal communities. However, after two decades of data collection, the reality paints a different picture.

Recent studies reveal that ocean currents have actually sped up over the past 20 years. Far from the catastrophic scenarios predicted, there’s no evidence of ecosystem collapse or global disasters tied to these changes. The alarmist rhetoric peddled by activists has proven to be not only inaccurate but also a distraction from genuine environmental issues.

Once again, scientific evidence challenges the doomsday narrative of the green-left agenda, highlighting the importance of basing policies on real-world data rather than fear-driven projections.

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Our Parliament Run by Incompetents?

ED: From my inbox … worth reading

by Vikki Campion, The Saturday Telegraph, December 27, 2024

If you think our parliament is run by incompetents, that’s because it is! Very few have any lived experience in any of the areas they make rules for, and worse still, don’t have much idea who to ask to help them. You probably have heard the term “unconscious incompetent”… that’s a perfect description for by far the majority of our parliamentarians.

The Problem with Our Parliamentary Team

If you were picking our parliament like a football team, most would not have their job. A winger has to be fast, a prop has to be big and scary, and a halfback has to be cheeky and coordinated to win the game. Players are chosen based on their skill sets, and there has to be a broad range to make a winning team.

The problem is we are picking a parliamentary team from players who have never played the football of life before. They have merely watched on the sidelines, got coffee for the players, and wished they were the players but merely mimicked them.

In our parliamentary team, we have not a single plumber or electrician, and only a couple of carpenters, yet they all have the grand elixir to fix the housing crisis. There are just a couple of accountants, but if you listen to them, they are all experts on budgets and economics. There is not one genuine atmospheric scientist, but they are all beaming with expertise on climate science.

Examples of Inexperienced MPs

Parliament is dominated by the team mascots – the person who dresses up, prances around the sideline cheering but has never kicked a goal – the staffer, who can dress up to be anyone they need to be.

  • Example 1: Chris Bowen, whose occupational history is staffer, union official, staffer, staffer, city councillor and now cabinet minister, can dress up as an electrical engineer, nuclear physicist, infrastructure tsar, and all-round clever guy.
  • Example 2: Jim Chalmers, who went from cabinet staffer to ALP party staffer, to political staffer to consultant, PhD scholar, and now Treasurer, can dress up as a senior economist in permanent disagreement with the RBA.
  • Example 3: Pat Conroy, whose former jobs were working in Albo’s office, union staffer, Senate staffer, and back to a ministerial staffer, now dresses up as crucial to the defence of our nation.
  • Example 4: The PM himself, who went from bank officer to staffer, ALP party official to staffer, now dresses up as Julius Caesar, the great leader.

If every parliamentarian is a preselector-schmoozing, university-educated, city-dwelling party apparatchik turned staffer, you don’t have diversity; you have a cloning machine pumping out politicians who all think alike, no matter which party they belong to.

Disconnected from Real Australians

Cultivated in the same clique, this is why they are so easily led by the bureaucracy who want to shut down our primary industries, like fishing, forestry, farming, coal, and gas. They so easily swallow this net zero rubbish because they don’t know any different and wouldn’t know who to ask if they did.

More than half of the federal ALP and a third of the Liberal Nationals landed on the red or green leather the same way – as political staffers or, in the ALP’s case, union staffers. It would be a perfect representative parliament if half of the population of Australia were political staffers… but we’re not!

This is the result of a system that demands gender diversity but abhors experience diversity.

Lack of Experience in Key Sectors

Nearly 10 per cent of working Australians are in construction. You will struggle to find 10 per cent of parliamentarians whose construction experience advanced past Lego, but they are full of advice on the housing crisis. Only 1.7 per cent of the 227 members in the current parliament have listed experience in that arena, such as former builder turned barrister, Fisher MP Andrew Wallace.

Parties profess how they will get more trades into the economy, but they can’t get them into the parliament, with not a single plumber or sparky.

More than 42 per cent of the private sector – five million people – work in small businesses, yet just a handful of parliamentarians genuinely have built their own businesses from scratch. It’s a short list and about to get clipped as a host of MPs retire, leaving few, such as pest control boss Luke Howarth and franchisee Terry Young, among the last of the elected mercantile class.

Yet those former staffers will profess their expert knowledge on small business, wading through the morass of regulations, having never been self-employed in their entire working life.

The Decline of Practical Experience

With the departure of Keith Pitt and Karen Andrews, we lose two of the three engineers who were in the former Coalition government. They will be replaced – certainly in Andrews’ case, or likely in Pitt’s – with yet another staffer.

With Pitt and Andrews out, the Coalition is left with one engineer, Garth Hamilton, joining Malcolm Roberts and Dan Repacholi as the sole representatives in each of their parties, One Nation and Labor, who have both engineering qualifications backed up with getting their hands dirty.

We are in an energy crisis, and the people who have lived experience managing it in the field are nowhere in parliament. The clamour of the choir comes from those who have lived the quasi-bureaucratic life, the type who will pay more for energy if it gives them more kudos in Canberra, who have never had to see the cost of energy make their business unviable because they have never had a business.

A Parliament That Doesn’t Represent Us

If you think the parliament is disconnected, it’s because it is.

There’s no one in parliament who lists their former occupation in manufacturing, even though more than 862,000 Australians do, and it’s Labor’s major policy.

There’s not one politician who lists their former occupation as in:

  • Gas, water, and waste services (167,000 workers)
  • Accommodation and food services (934,000 workers)
  • Transport, postal, and warehousing (706,900 workers)

There’s a handful of teachers, some doctors and nurses, one former seafarer (Matt Burnell), zero mechanics (the last being Joel Fitzgibbon), and the last parliamentarian who was paid to clean toilets at 14 and listed it as a former occupation just left (Warren Entsch).

Now, the parliament is more like an episode of Suits, overflowing with solicitors, staffers, and sometimes both.

The Solution: A New Team with Broader Skills

You don’t have to go too far back in time to find Australian parliaments that actually elected vets, carpenters, brickies, shearers, miners, taxi drivers, real farmers (not hobbyist lifestylers), electricians, plumbers, and engineers.

This year, we pick a new football team in the coming election. Let’s hope preselectors provide a better breadth of skill sets to give the country a better shot in the game.

 

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Honouring their Service

MEDIA RELEASE

The Hon Matt Keogh MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Minister for Defence Personnel

Service, bravery, integrity, respect, and excellence. These are the ideals that the Australian Defence Force stands for, and reflect how we honour our current and former serving personnel.

In this spirit, 55 organisations from around the country will share in more than $770,000 funding as part of the first round of the Albanese Government’s 2024-25 Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program.

This grant program funds projects that not only pay tribute to those who have served in our ADF, it also educates local communities on the defence of Australia, and our people at war.

Successful grant submissions feature a variety of commemorative activities, from cenotaph and sculpture refurbishments to the production of podcasts and video documentaries.

The Saluting their Service program plays a key role in ensuring that the ongoing service and sacrifices made by Australian service people and their families are recognised and remembered.

The current grant round is open until 5 February 2025, for more information visit the Saluting their Service Grants Program website.

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Recipient Funding description Amount $
Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia Inc This project is to create freely available online secondary school resources to educate and commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australia’s service personnel in wars, conflicts, and peace operations. $60,000
Soldier On This project is to produce the podcast, “Contemporary Voices of Bravery – The Soldier On Journey of Lived Experience”. This will offer a platform for veterans of recent conflicts to share their personal stories through both audio and video format on modern streaming platforms. $60,190
SUB TOTAL $120,190

NEW SOUTH WALES

Recipient Funding description Amount $
East Gosford Primary School (Department of Education) This project is to build a new memorial and garden at East Gosford Primary School that will include QR codes linked to information in the school library. $10,000
Bellingen Shire Council This project is to restore the Urunga War Memorial. $9,900
Clyde River & Batemans Bay Historical Society Inc This project is to mount an exhibition of the Mogo veterans who served in the First World War in the Batemans Bay Heritage Museum. $9,931
Fighter World Inc This project is to commemorate and promote the service of RAAF Williamtown personnel and aircraft since February 1941, through new interactive and static displays, to illustrate the history of fighter operators and military aviation. $48,000
Friends of Mulwaree Museum This project is to relocate the RAAF the Second World War Link Trainer A13-33 flight simulator from the Australian Air Force Cadets, Goulburn to the Rocky Hill War Memorial Museum, Goulburn. $9,300
Galston Public School Parents & Citizens Association This project is to install three flagpoles at the entrance to Galston Public School. $2,000
Georges River Council This project is to undertake conservation treatment and digitisation of the 353 local the First World War Veterans’ photographic Honour Roll at the Hurstville Museum & Gallery. $9,344
Menangle Community Association Inc This project is to display photos at the art hall in Menangle to commemorate locals who served in the First World War. $4,264
Returned & Services League of Australia Forestville Sub-Branch This project is to add two additional plinths and plaques to the Northern Memorial Pathway in Forestville War Memorial Playing Fields, which will commemorate conflicts post the Second World War and peace-keeping missions post 1975. $7,557
The City of Newcastle RSL Sub-Branch This project is to install a new cabinet at the Sub Branch to display wartime memorabilia. $10,000
The Concordians Inc This project is to record and produce videos of the untold stories of nurses who served in Vietnam including veterans who returned and commenced a nursing career at the Concord Hospital. $46,347
Tomaree Museum Association This project is to install the Second World War RAAF uniformed mannequin in a museum cabinet and display video documented stories of local Second World War and Vietnam Veterans. $1,540
Wirreanda Primary School P&C Association This project is to install a memorial garden complete with flagpole, plaque, and mural wall at Wirreanda Primary School. $7,000
SUB TOTAL $175,183

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Recipient Funding description Amount $
Wanderers Football and Sports Club Inc This project is to install six flagpoles at the Wanderers Football and Sports Club. $2,000
SUB TOTAL $2,000

QLD

Recipient Funding description Amount $
Anglican Parish of Brisbane This project is to create a display cabinet for a Memorial Book containing names of local parishioners who served in the First World War and other conflicts. $3,388
Australian Military Aviation History Association Inc. This project is to create a documentary that commemorates the history of Numbers 9 and 12 Squadrons, RAAF, in two 90-minute feature length films which will be freely available. $35,640
Longreach Archival & Historical Research Group Inc This project is to create a memorial Poppy Trail to commemorate Australia’s service personnel buried at the Longreach Cemetery. $7,335
Montville Village Association Inc This project is to publish a book that details and honours the service of local community veterans from the Second World War. $3,487
National Servicemen’s Association of Australia (QLD) Inc This project is to add a plaque at the Ricky Creek War Memorial Park for the first Australian Field Hospital in Vietnam. $2,111
Returned & Services League of Australia (QLD Branch) Cardwell Sub-Branch This project is to sandblast and paint a Second World War Bofors Gun for display at RSL Cardwell. $4,000
Returned & Services League of Australia (QLD Branch) Defence Service Nurses Sub-Branch This project is to fund the hire of equipment and production of banners in support of a commemorative dinner to celebrate the 125th anniversary of nursing in the Australian Defence Force. $2,180
Returned & Services League of Australia (QLD Branch) Emerald Sub-Branch Inc This project is to replicate an Honour Board displaying the names of those who served in the First World War from across the region. The original Honour Board was taken down after a fire in late 1960s/early 1970s for safe keeping until repairs to railway station were completed, but in that process, the Honour Board was lost and never recovered. $15,400
Returned & Services League of Australia (QLD Branch) Harlaxton Sub-Branch This project is to install display cabinets for memorabilia and historical items from major campaigns. The project will also include laser cut signage featuring ‘Lest We Forget,’ Australian Defence Force and service-specific signs. $4,835
Royal Historical Society of Queensland Inc This project is to conserve military items in the ‘Nationally Significant Collection’ which include two dead men’s pennies, one watercolour painting, one mounted photograph and ten panorama photographs. $56,799
Southern Downs Steam Railway Association Inc This project is to restore and enhance the Warwick the First World War Memorial Room, Honour Board, and entry gardens. $10,000
The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) of Brisbane This project is to construct a memorial path and peace garden at the YMCA War Memorial Campsite at Camp Warrawee. $9,924
Windera State School This project is to install three new flagpoles at Windera State School. $2,000
SUB TOTAL $157,099

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Recipient Funding description Amount $
Returned & Services League of Australia (Burra Sub-Branch) Inc This project is to restore the 120-year-old Burra Soldier Memorial plaques and stonework, which is situated in the middle of Burra Historical Market Square. $4,560
Returned & Services League of Australia (Waikerie) Sub-Branch Inc This project is to create a podcast documenting South Australian veteran and war widows’ military service experiences featuring a photographic exhibition of veteran life and service. $40,400
The William Kibby VC Veterans Shed Association Inc This project is to commission artist Sean Halfpenny to design and paint a mural on the front of the William Kibby VC Veterans Shed at the Glenelg North Community Centre. $9,923
Volunteer Service for the Flinders Medical Centre Inc This project is to upgrade the display of heritage medical equipment used in theatres of war at the Repatriation Health Precinct Museum, Daw Park. $9,475
SUB TOTAL $64,358

VICTORIA

Recipient Funding description Amount $
Anglican Church of St Pauls East Ballarat This project is to restore the Honour Board in the Church of St Pauls featuring names of local parishioners who served in the nation’s wars. $9,091
Ararat RSL Sub-Branch This project is to repair and upgrade the City of Ararat’s War Memorial Cenotaph to include all conflicts post-Vietnam. $2,350
De Wit, Sacha Courtney This project is to hold ‘The Unknown Widow’ exhibit commemorating the First World War service personnel at the Festival of Veteran Arts 2025, in the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum. $13,153
Flemington/Kensington RSL Sub-Branch Patriotic Fund This project is to install three flagpoles at Flemington/Kensington RSL. $2,000
Hawthorn RSL Sub-Branch Inc This project is to install a flagpole, purchase memorabilia, restore Honour Rolls and foundation stone at Hawthorn RSL Sub-Branch. $9,618
Kerang and District Community Centre Inc This project is to display veterans’ stories in ‘A Visual Tribute.’ It will feature photos of veterans in their service uniform, with a short story of their experiences. $10,000
Mount Beauty Secondary College This project is to install and replace existing flagpoles at Mount Beauty Secondary College. $2,000
Mount Evelyn Primary School This project is to purchase and install three flagpoles, create a memorial garden, and install an Honour Board at Mount Evelyn Primary School. $10,000
Mount Macedon Primary School This project is to install two flagpoles and landscape the memorial garden around the base of the commemorative space containing native plants, featuring an Indigenous theme at Mount Macedon Primary School. $4,802
Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL Sub-Branch This project is to install a wall mural at the Ocean Grove Bowling Club. $1,300
Point Cook Football Club Inc This project is to install three flagpoles at the Point Cook Football Club which is the only host venue for commemorative events in the area. $2,000
Port Fairy RSL Sub-Branch This project is to repair and restore the Port Fairy 1929 War Memorial. $9,800
St Francis Xavier School This project is to install three new flagpoles at St Francis Xavier School. $2,000
The Maritime Trust of Australia Inc This project is to install 56 Bathurst corvette histories onto the HMAS Castlemaine Museum Ship website. $1,260
Wodonga RSL Sub-Branch Inc This project is to upgrade the Wodonga RSL Cenotaph, Woodland Grove. The cenotaph surfaces will be refurbished in granite, new flagpoles installed to display all three national flags, new seating and a marble sculpture installation featuring the First World War soldier and a modern-day soldier back-to-back at the top of the cenotaph. $132,890
Wodonga South Primary School This project is to create a memorial garden and commemorative plaque at Wodonga South Primary School. $7,323
SUB TOTAL $219,587

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Recipient Funding description Amount $
Australian Special Air Service Association National Executive This project is to produce a two-part Special Air Service Association Journal commemorating the 60th anniversary of the formation of the Special Air Service Regiment. $10,000
Koorana Primary School This project is to add three flagpoles, for Australian, Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander flags, for Koorana Primary School for use in commemorative services. $2,000
Returned & Services League Busselton Sub-Branch This project is to add sixteen plaques of local veterans and nurses who gave their lives in service to the nation on the Busselton War Memorial. $6,600
Shire of Wyalkatchem This project is to install life-sized silhouettes of soldiers in a pre-aged metal with the laser cut design attached to a structural metal pole cemented in the ground at Pioneer Park, Wyalkatchem. $9,500
The Western Australian 10th Light Horse Organisation Inc This project is to preserve the military history of the Western Australian 10th Light Horse regiment through the preservation of uniforms, equipment and provision of educational activities. $6,000
Western Australia Branch of the Partners of Veterans Association of Australia Inc This project is to purchase materials to make commemorative wreaths for commemorative events in regional Western Australia. $500
SUB TOTAL $34,600
TOTAL $773,017

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HMAS Brisbane Returns to Sydney After Five-Month Deployment

Approximately 200 officers and sailors from HMAS Brisbane have returned to Sydney following a five-month deployment that marked a historic milestone for the Royal Australian Navy. The mission included the successful launch of Australia’s first-ever Tomahawk cruise missile off the US coast, showcasing a significant advancement in the Australian Defence Force’s long-range strike capabilities.

The deployment featured joint exercises with the US Navy and scheduled maintenance at the US Naval Base in San Diego. These activities reinforced Australia’s commitment to its allies and demonstrated the nation’s growing proficiency in advanced military technologies.

Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Chris Smith, AM, CSM, RAN, emphasized the importance of the deployment in strengthening regional security and partnerships. “Australia is now one of only three nations, alongside the United States and the United Kingdom, to acquire and successfully launch Tomahawk cruise missiles,” Rear Admiral Smith stated. “The achievements of HMAS Brisbane’s crew have delivered a significant boost to the Australian Defence Force’s operational capabilities.”

Since departing Sydney in August 2024, HMAS Brisbane covered over 17,000 nautical miles (32,000 km). The ship’s mission included familiarisation with US Naval maintenance processes, warfare training, and an invaluable exchange of knowledge in cutting-edge technologies between the two allied forces.

Commanding Officer of HMAS Brisbane, Commander Bernard Dobson, CSM, RAN, highlighted the dedication and resilience of his crew during the demanding deployment. “Being away from home for months, particularly during the holiday season, is a significant challenge,” Commander Dobson said. “I am incredibly proud of the professionalism and determination shown by our men and women in delivering a game-changing military capability for Australia.”

HMAS Brisbane is one of three Australian-built Hobart Class Destroyers. The vessel is equipped to provide comprehensive air defence against missiles and aircraft, protect ships, land forces, and coastal infrastructure, and conduct anti-submarine, anti-surface, and long-range strike missions.

Following their return, Brisbane’s crew will enjoy a well-deserved break before resuming their operational duties. The deployment’s success underscores Australia’s growing role in fostering a peaceful, stable, and secure Indo-Pacific region.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Labels Peter Dutton ‘Mean and Nasty’ Amid Heated Culture Wars

ABC News

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has come under fire from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who accused him of being “mean-spirited” and engaging in divisive tactics as the Coalition ramps up criticism of Labor’s stance on key cultural issues. Dutton, however, has remained steadfast in his approach, arguing that Australia needs stronger leadership to tackle rising antisemitism and preserve national traditions, such as Australia Day on January 26.

Dutton’s recent announcement that he would reinstate a rule scrapped by Labor requiring councils to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day has reignited the debate over the significance of the national holiday. He framed the move as a way to protect Australia’s cultural heritage and prevent a rewriting of the country’s history. “Australia Day is an important part of our identity. It’s a day to celebrate our achievements as a nation and reflect on our shared history,” Dutton stated.

This comes on the heels of Dutton’s claim that “every incident of antisemitism” in Australia since late 2023 could be attributed to Albanese’s weak leadership. He argued that the Prime Minister’s reluctance to take a firm stand against extremist rhetoric has emboldened hate groups. “We are witnessing one of the most shameful periods in our history, and the government’s failure to act decisively is putting minority communities at risk,” Dutton warned.

In contrast, Albanese has sought to downplay the controversy surrounding Australia Day and dismissed Dutton’s claims as fear-mongering. During an interview with ABC radio, he criticized the Opposition Leader’s rhetoric, calling him “cold-hearted, mean-spirited, and sometimes just plain nasty.” Albanese urged Dutton to avoid politicizing antisemitism and focus on fostering unity.

The back-and-forth exchange signals that this year’s election campaign could become highly personal, with character attacks dominating the political discourse. While economic concerns remain a top priority for voters, Dutton is clearly intent on steering the conversation toward cultural issues, framing them as central to Australia’s future cohesion.

Dutton’s supporters argue that his stance is not about sowing division but about standing up for values that many Australians hold dear. “Peter Dutton is calling out real issues that are affecting our communities. We cannot turn a blind eye to the rise in antisemitism or the erasure of our national traditions,” said a senior Coalition member.

However, Albanese’s allies contend that Dutton’s approach risks alienating minority groups and exacerbating societal tensions. They argue that his focus on culture wars distracts from more pressing concerns such as cost-of-living pressures and healthcare reforms.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry has called for an end to the politicisation of antisemitism, urging both leaders to work together to address the issue meaningfully. “Antisemitism is a serious problem that requires bipartisan cooperation. It should not be used as a political football,” said the council’s spokesperson.

Despite calls for unity, it appears both leaders are preparing for a fiercely contested election campaign. Dutton’s strategy to reignite the culture wars under the banner of national unity suggests he believes these issues resonate with a significant portion of the electorate. The question remains whether voters will respond positively to this approach or if they will prioritise economic stability and practical solutions over ideological battles.

As the election draws closer, the divide between the two leaders’ visions for Australia is becoming increasingly stark. Dutton’s focus on protecting Australia’s traditions and combating hate speech is likely to appeal to conservatives and those concerned about cultural erosion. Meanwhile, Albanese’s emphasis on unity and addressing economic challenges could resonate with those seeking a more collaborative approach to governance.

What’s clear is that this election will be more than just a battle of policies, it will be a contest of character, values, and the very identity of modern Australia. The electorate will soon decide which vision they believe is best suited to lead the nation through the challenges ahead.

 

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Why Does Trump Want to Buy Greenland?

The Times

The idea of a U.S. President openly expressing interest in purchasing a foreign territory might seem outlandish to some. Yet, former President Donald Trump’s remarks about acquiring Greenland were not as unprecedented as they initially appeared. Historically, the United States has a long record of territorial expansion. Trump’s proposal may have drawn scepticism from global leaders, but it also highlights his unconventional approach to geopolitics and national strategy.

Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, is strategically significant for a variety of reasons. Its location in the Arctic makes it a vital geopolitical asset, particularly as melting ice caps open new shipping routes and access to previously untapped natural resources. The island also holds key military significance, hosting Thule Air Base, a critical part of the U.S. missile warning and space surveillance system.

For Trump, Greenland represented an opportunity to secure a foothold in a region that is rapidly becoming a new frontier for global influence. The Arctic is emerging as a contested space, with countries like Russia and China increasing their presence. By acquiring Greenland, the U.S. could strengthen its strategic position in the Arctic and protect its national interests in the face of growing competition.

Beyond its strategic location, Greenland is rich in natural resources, including rare earth minerals, oil, and gas. These resources are essential for advanced technologies, such as smartphones, electric vehicles, and military hardware. As global demand for these materials grows, securing access to them becomes a national security priority.

Trump’s background as a businessman likely influenced his interest in Greenland. He saw the island not just as a geopolitical asset but as a potential economic boon. Investing in Greenland’s development could unlock valuable resources and create economic opportunities for the U.S., making the acquisition a win-win scenario in Trump’s eyes.

The concept of purchasing territory is not new in American history. The Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the acquisition of Alaska from Russia in 1867, and the annexation of Hawaii in 1898 are examples of the U.S. expanding its borders through diplomatic and financial means.

Trump’s Greenland proposal can be viewed through this historical lens. His suggestion may have been unconventional by modern diplomatic standards, but it aligns with a long-standing American tradition of territorial expansion. Critics who dismissed the idea as absurd may have overlooked the historical context in which such deals have been successfully executed in the past.

Trump’s comments about purchasing Greenland drew mixed reactions from world leaders. Danish officials, including Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, dismissed the idea as “absurd,” leading to a brief diplomatic rift between the U.S. and Denmark. However, some analysts argue that Denmark’s initial rejection may have been a missed opportunity to strengthen ties with the U.S. and secure economic investment in Greenland.

On the other hand, Trump’s rhetoric sent a clear message to the world: the U.S. is serious about maintaining its influence in the Arctic. By raising the issue publicly, he brought attention to the strategic importance of Greenland and the need for Western nations to counterbalance the growing presence of Russia and China in the region.

Donald Trump’s interest in Greenland exemplifies his unique approach to leadership. He viewed the world through the lens of a dealmaker, always seeking opportunities to strengthen America’s position both economically and strategically. While the proposal may have been dismissed by some as unrealistic, it sparked a critical conversation about the Arctic’s importance in global affairs.

As the world continues to grapple with shifting geopolitical dynamics, Trump’s Greenland proposal serves as a reminder that unconventional ideas can sometimes highlight overlooked strategic priorities. Whether visionary or misguided, his interest in Greenland underscores the evolving nature of global power and the enduring relevance of territorial expansion in American history.

 

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