Dear Members,
I have just received the sad news that Major Richard “Dick” Humby passed away over the weekend of natural causes. Dick was OC A Coy 1986/87 and OPSO 1RAR 1988
Deepest condolences go out to his family and friends during this sad time, may he Rest in Peace
Funeral details will be advised once known
LEST WE FORGET
Secretary, 1RAR Association
Sky News Political Contributor Chris Uhlmann slams the AEMO which announced it was unable to promise lower electricity prices despite Energy Minister Chris Bowen’s “explicit guarantee” the government could. Australian Energy Market Operator head Daniel Westerman has said he cannot guarantee the current government policies will deliver lower power prices.
The 2nd Commando Regiment, part of the Australian Army’s Special Operations Command, conducts strategic strike, domestic counter-terrorism, and overseas special recovery operations. Originally formed to complement the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), it is a self-contained, flexible force. The regiment provides the Tactical Assault Group (East) for high-risk incidents on the eastern coast of Australia.
Lidia Thorpe’s controversial actions and statements have sparked a significant debate over her eligibility and conduct as a senator. Her deliberate misstatement during her Oath of Allegiance, as she claims, has raised concerns about the legitimacy of her pledge to bear true allegiance to the King, which is a constitutional requirement for all Australian MPs and senators.
Thorpe’s remarks, especially the play on words (“her hairs, not her heirs”), demonstrate her ongoing stance against the monarchy and the system it represents. While she has been vocal about her opposition to the Crown, her admission that she made an invalid affirmation raises legal and ethical questions. According to the Australian Constitution, an MP or senator must swear or affirm allegiance to the monarch as a condition of taking office. If her claim of making an invalid affirmation is upheld, it could potentially render her swearing-in incomplete or invalid.
In terms of what can lawfully be done to dismiss her from the Senate, the options are limited and require clear legal grounds. Typically, a senator can only be disqualified if they breach Section 44 of the Constitution, which outlines various disqualifications, such as having a foreign allegiance, being a bankrupt, or being convicted of an offense punishable by imprisonment of one year or more. A failure to take a valid Oath of Allegiance might not directly fit into these disqualification categories, but it could be argued that it constitutes a breach of constitutional requirements. If so, her eligibility to serve could be challenged.
The Coalition’s move to seek legal advice on this matter is significant. Should the advice indicate that her invalid affirmation compromises her position, Thorpe could face legal challenges to her eligibility. This could lead to a High Court case, as only the Court of Disputed Returns has the power to disqualify a senator. However, it’s not certain that her admission alone would be enough to trigger such a process unless it can be proven that she deliberately misled the Parliament in a way that affects her eligibility.
Politically, this issue underscores the tension between republican sentiments, especially among Indigenous rights advocates like Thorpe, and Australia’s constitutional framework. Thorpe has positioned herself as a staunch critic of the monarchy, and her actions reflect her broader political stance. Whether this is viewed as an act of defiance or as a breach of her constitutional duty depends largely on one’s perspective on the monarchy and the role of senators in upholding the constitution.
Pat Conroy, Australian minister for defence industry and capability delivery, and Maj. Gen. Richard Vagg, the Army’s head of land capability at the 2024 Land Forces conference in Melbourne. (ADF Cpl. Janet Pan)
WASHINGTON: Australia is set to announce a contract for the domestic production of 155mm artillery shells within the next few weeks, according to Defence Acquisition Minister Pat Conroy. While the country currently imports these shells from a South African Rheinmetall subsidiary, this move aims to boost local manufacturing capabilities in response to growing international demand, largely driven by the war in Ukraine.
Conroy confirmed that the NIOA-Rheinmetall partnership, along with French firm Thales, is competing for the contract, with a third, undisclosed bidder also in the mix. Few details regarding the contract value or production quantities have been revealed.
The shift toward domestic production aligns with Australia’s broader defence strategy. Major General Richard Vagg emphasized the need for local 155mm production, reflecting the government’s substantial investments in the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise (GWEO), which has allocated up to AUD 21 billion over the next decade.
Conroy also expressed optimism about Australia’s role in the global munitions supply chain, aiming to expand production capacity beyond domestic needs. Alongside 155mm shell production, Canberra is exploring solid rocket motor manufacturing, a critical element for missile production.
During his recent visit to Washington, Conroy discussed a $7 billion AUD deal for SM-2 and SM-6 missiles for the Australian Navy with U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, focusing on securing production slots and delivery timelines.
Washington Post
The US Continues to Push for an Elusive “Ceasefire,” But It Seems Yahya Sinwar, the Late Hamas Leader, Was Never Interested in Peace
As global leaders call for peace in the Middle East, one thing has become increasingly clear: the late Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, had no intention of negotiating for a ceasefire. Despite international pressure, Sinwar’s strategy was not to de-escalate but to escalate, banking on a deadly cycle to push his agenda forward.
Sinwar’s Strategy: Casualties as Leverage
Sinwar’s approach to the conflict was ruthless. As Israeli forces closed in on him, he made it clear to Hamas that no concessions should be made under any circumstances. His belief? That the higher the civilian death toll, the stronger Hamas would stand in negotiations with Israel and the international community. It’s a chilling reminder that, for Sinwar, peace was never the goal.
His twisted strategy was built on the suffering of civilians, with the expectation that each life lost would harden Hamas’ position and weaken Israel’s resolve. Sinwar ordered his followers to refuse any Israeli peace offerings, no matter the potential for relief for Gaza’s citizens. In his mind, high casualties equalled leverage—a cruel calculation that prolonged suffering on all sides.
Leadership Beyond Death: Sinwar’s Final Orders
Even after his death, Sinwar’s tactics continue to guide Hamas’ actions. Reports suggest that before his death, Sinwar instructed Hamas leadership to reject any possibility of compromise and to form a leadership council to perpetuate his hardline strategies. In the wake of his death, Hamas has shown no signs of altering its approach. Civilian casualties remain tragically high, and Hamas’ leadership has remained firm in rejecting concessions, as per Sinwar’s orders.
While many had hoped that Sinwar’s death might shift the dynamics within Hamas, the group’s brutal methods persist. The question now is: how long can this cycle of violence continue? And with Hamas unwavering in its deadly strategy, will there ever be room for a lasting ceasefire?
A Grim Forecast for Peace
As the US and other nations continue to push for a ceasefire, the reality is that Sinwar’s legacy casts a long shadow over any peace negotiations. His belief in the power of civilian suffering as a bargaining tool reflects a deep unwillingness to seek peace—a mentality that remains entrenched in Hamas leadership.
Without a significant shift in strategy or leadership, it’s difficult to see how the situation can improve. For now, the prospect of a true ceasefire remains elusive. As long as Hamas follows Sinwar’s brutal playbook, the bloodshed seems destined to continue, leaving the region trapped in a tragic cycle with no end in sight.
Australia, the United States, and Britain have axed barriers to sharing defence technologies, a significant boost for the AUKUS alliance. Now, 70 percent of defence exports from the U.S. to Australia, previously under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), will be licence-free.
The launch of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 confronted the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) with a new geopolitical reality. Once described as “braindead” by French President Emmanuel Macron, the alliance was jolted into action by a threat that seemed consigned to history—a full-scale conventional war in Europe.
Military leaders began issuing warnings of a resurgent Russia, stressing the need for NATO allies to be prepared within three, five, or eight years. Romanian Defence Chief Gheorghita Vlad underscored the gravity of the situation, stating in February 2024, “The Russian Federation has become a problem for the world order, for democracy. It is not just a war with Ukraine but a war against the democratic world.”
Following decades of post-Cold War downsizing and years of focusing on counterinsurgency rather than traditional military threats, NATO’s readiness for this new challenge has come into question. European defence budgets shrank during the “peace dividend” years, and the shadow of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House adds uncertainty to NATO’s cohesion.
According to Gordon B. Davis, a senior fellow at the Centre for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) and NATO’s former deputy assistant secretary general, NATO’s current capabilities are not sufficient to defeat Russia without significant costs. However, NATO’s collective strength still makes it a formidable force.
As of 2024, NATO’s 32 members, especially its European contingent, face challenges such as ammunition shortages, fragmented defence industries, and limited air defence coverage. Yet, in many aspects, even the European portion of NATO can outgun Russian forces. NATO, excluding the U.S., has approximately 1.9 million active personnel, 2,400 combat-ready aircraft, and 6,650 tanks, compared to Russia’s 1.1 million troops, 1,370 aircraft, and 2,000 tanks, according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
The accession of Sweden and Finland further strengthened NATO, adding well-trained militaries and extending the alliance’s defence line with Russia by over 1,300 kilometres. This expansion puts additional pressure on Russia’s defence capabilities.
NATO also possesses superior long-range firepower, with advanced jets like the F-35, and more modern airpower compared to Russia. Ed Arnold, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), remarked that Russia’s tactics in Ukraine would likely be ineffective against NATO forces, which could swiftly decimate Russian troops in a short, intense conflict.
However, a quick war may not be what NATO would face. The Russian state and society, as demonstrated during the first year of the invasion, appear capable of enduring initial losses and regrouping for a prolonged conflict. NATO planners view the Baltic states as particularly vulnerable to attack, given their proximity to Russia and Belarus, and the strategic Suwalki Gap remains a crucial concern.
While NATO’s firepower could overwhelm Russian forces, Davis cautioned that NATO might still suffer significant losses, particularly from Russian bombers, drones, and submarines targeting NATO territory. The balance of power between the two forces remains uncertain, hinging on political will, resources, and the endurance of Western societies in a potential long war.
Photo: Luke Johnston overlooking a burial site where 20 North Vietnamese soldiers were laid to rest. (Supplied: Luke Johnston)
In a rubber forest just north of Ho Chi Minh City, an excavation to find the bodies of North Vietnamese soldiers has made a long-awaited discovery.
The search has unearthed dozens of men, presumed to have been killed in battles more than 50 years ago.
CLICK LINK to read this ABC News story
The service to celebrate the life of Barney will be held at the Whorouly Recreation Centre 1 Memorial Park Drive, Whorouly, Friday October 25th, 2024, Commencing at 10:30am.
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