Washington Post – David Lancing

WASHINGTON: As Australia embarks on a transformative defence initiative through AUKUS—an alliance with the United States and United Kingdom focused on nuclear-powered submarine technology—the country faces increasing pressure to engage the public. Despite AUKUS’s potential to bolster Australia’s defence capabilities and reshape its role in global security, communication with Australian citizens has been limited. At the recent Submarine Institute of Australia conference, officials and experts urged a more transparent and proactive approach to gaining public support and understanding.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles spoke at the conference, emphasizing the government’s commitment to transparency on the AUKUS project, estimated to cost $368 billion AUD over the next 50 years. He acknowledged that public scrutiny is essential for the success of such an ambitious initiative, particularly given the complex nature and significant financial investment involved.

Marles invited a “holding to account” of government actions, encouraging constructive criticism to identify any gaps or challenges. “We are not going to get through this without intense scrutiny, so give it to us,” he remarked. His comments underscored a shift in approach, contrasting with Australia’s traditionally cautious stance on public discussions surrounding defence matters.

Tracey Hanley, Deputy Director of the Defence Research Institute at the University of New South Wales, noted that Australia has been “a little bit slow off the mark” in communicating the significance of AUKUS to the public. However, she expressed optimism, stating that the importance of the pact is gradually gaining recognition. Hanley emphasized that openness, particularly on issues that can be discussed openly, is critical to securing the “social license” necessary for AUKUS to be accepted by Australian communities.

Social license refers to public approval and trust, especially in projects involving sensitive or complex technologies, such as nuclear-powered submarines. By openly discussing the strategic importance of AUKUS, the government can foster a greater sense of national interest and bring citizens on board.

A challenge for Australia’s military leaders is balancing transparency with security. At the conference, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, head of the Royal Australian Navy, addressed what he perceived as a “pattern of criticism” in media coverage of the Collins-class submarines and AUKUS. He highlighted successful operations that had gone unreported, arguing that positive developments often receive little media attention.

However, some defence experts questioned Hammond’s comments, noting that the military must proactively share information with reporters if they want positive stories covered. By selectively withholding information, the military may inadvertently create a climate of speculation and criticism.

Vicki Treadwell, the UK High Commissioner to Australia, emphasized the importance of “social license” for AUKUS, urging officials to build public trust by actively engaging with communities. “This new endeavour for Australia requires the Australian people to believe in it, to understand its strategic importance,” she said.

To achieve this, Treadwell encouraged officials to communicate positively about AUKUS in their daily lives, explaining its benefits for Australia’s security and technological advancement. She drew comparisons to British communities near naval bases, which, once involved, often play an active role in security by reporting suspicious activities to authorities. Treadwell also highlighted how the media could play a constructive role by focusing on job creation and technological innovation associated with AUKUS, rather than solely on potential risks.

The partnership involves not just defence, but also an integrated industrial base among the US, UK, and Australia. US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy noted the challenges in America’s submarine industrial base, which currently struggles to meet component demand for Virginia-class submarines. She proposed an “AUKUS visa” to facilitate cross-border collaboration and make it easier for defence industry workers and experts from the three countries to move between their respective facilities.

This proposal, still under discussion, has the potential to address workforce shortages and accelerate the transfer of knowledge and resources needed for AUKUS. Marles expressed support for the concept, indicating that discussions were ongoing with the US and UK to streamline international movement for AUKUS-related personnel.

For Australia, AUKUS requires a significant cultural shift in how the government and military communicate with the public. As officials embrace a more open and collaborative approach, they hope to foster a sense of shared responsibility and trust. This marks a notable change from Australia’s traditionally reserved stance on defence matters.

If successful, AUKUS could become a model for how to engage the public in defence and strategic partnerships. The challenge lies in balancing transparency with security needs and in addressing public concerns about safety, cost, and environmental impact.

By actively engaging with communities, building trust, and transparently addressing concerns, Australia can lay the groundwork for a long-term partnership that not only strengthens its defence capabilities but also secures the support and trust of its people. As AUKUS progresses, this effort to engage and inform the public will be crucial for its acceptance and success.

ED: This one from a good mate Graham Crick … if you’re offended, I have his address.

In church last Sunday, I heard a sweet elderly lady Marilyn C in the pew next to me saying a prayer.  It was so innocent and sincere that I just had to share it with you:      “Dear Lord – The last few years have been very tough.   You have taken my favourite actor – Paul Newman;  My favourite actress – Elizabeth Taylor;   My favourite singer – Andy Williams;   My favourite author – Tom Clancy,   and my favourite comedian – Robin Williams.   Just wanted you to know that my favourite politician is Anthony Albanese

Sky News host Chris Kenny has slammed the ABC after the national broadcaster was forced to apologise in Senate Estimates for doctoring footage. The national broadcaster has been forced to apologise after doctoring footage to add in the sound of extra gunshots in a story about retired Special Force Major Heston Russell. “The national broadcaster is in disgrace tonight, shamed for disgraceful and damaging journalism, and exposed for not dealing properly with its own errors or delivering proper accountability,” Mr Kenny said.

Tomorrow is a travelling day as we head back home. I will not be posting tomorrow.

Looking forward to home and great back to normal.

Cheers Ray

Australian Army soldier Corporal Sam Kelly prepares an uncrewed aerial system with a mounted light detection and ranging unit for a test flight at Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane. (Image: LCPL Luke Donegan)

The Australian Army is conducting a trial with an uncrewed aerial system (UAS) equipped with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology, aiming to transform the way it conducts land surveys. Traditionally, military surveying methods rely on ground-based techniques, limiting the scope and speed of data collection and often exposing personnel to hazards like wildlife, rough terrain, and potential enemy threats.

With the integration of LiDAR on UAS, surveyors can gather detailed spatial data across vast areas in less time while enhancing safety by removing personnel from direct exposure to these risks. This airborne LiDAR system emits rapid pulses of laser light, roughly 300,000 per second, measuring distances by tracking how long it takes each laser pulse to reflect back. “This data allows us to create accurate 3D models of the terrain and any objects on it, like buildings or vehicles,” said Corporal Sam Kelly, a surveyor involved in the trial.

Mounted on an American-made UAS for the trial, the LiDAR unit can also function in handheld mode for confined areas or be mounted on vehicles in no-fly zones. According to Corporal Kelly, the new system has demonstrated significant advantages over existing methods. “In just 20 minutes, the UAS-mounted LiDAR can scan 20,000 square meters,” Kelly explained, “a task that would take us an entire eight-hour day with traditional systems. Plus, surveying from above gives us easy access to building rooftops and difficult terrain.”

The UAS-mounted LiDAR also excels in surveying dense, vegetated areas. Ground-based equipment struggles in such conditions, often requiring multiple setups to bypass tree canopies and other obstructions. With LiDAR on a UAS, surveyors can scan from above the tree line, capturing enough data to produce accurate terrain maps. “Even though you won’t see every centimetre of the ground under thick vegetation, you get a comprehensive view of the terrain that’s often just as reliable as if you walked the site with traditional tools,” Kelly added.

The concept for UAS-mounted LiDAR in Defence settings originated from Lance Corporal Michael Raymont of the 19th Chief Engineer Works, who proposed the idea after seeing the benefits of drones in challenging environments. Raymont noted that on a recent deployment to Papua New Guinea, he collected extensive data in mere hours using a drone, a task that would otherwise have taken days with conventional methods. “This technology is a game-changer,” he said, emphasizing how critical it could become in military surveying efforts.

As Defence nears the completion of this trial, the promising results suggest UAS-mounted LiDAR could soon be a core tool, enabling faster, safer, and more comprehensive surveys across diverse and often inaccessible terrains.

Good morning Ray,

Once again, thank you for your very informative ‘Frontline’ articles.  Regarding the article about Members of Parliament seeking and accepting free gifts, I have written to several members of parliament on this topic.  I shall enclose a copy of my letter to you.

John W. CLARKSON,

19 Baroon Place,

NARANGBA QLD 4504

(Mobile)    0427 570 723

E-mail:       johnwc@bigpond.net.au

Tuesday 5^th November 2024.

To:    Ministers and Shadow Ministers of Parliament.

The Dangers for Ministers and Shadow Ministers Accepting Perks and Gifts.

Ladies and Gentlemen of Parliament:

Events of recent history have highlighted some of the dangers of Ministers accepting flight upgrades and other gifts from large companies and other institutions.  The Prime Minister and a few other Ministers have acknowledged that they actually asked the airline for an upgrade in their flights.  Other cases include all sorts of gifts and free entry into events, vouchers for expensive dinners and numerous other perks.  Whilst the Prime Minister’s recent case has held the headlines in recent times, this practice has been used for many decades by both sides of Parliament.

My father, Aubrey (Chippy) Clarkson, was employed by the Queensland State Government for some forty years prior to his death at the young age of 58 years.  For 25 of those years, he was an Industrial Inspector for the Department of Labour and Industry, eventually holding the position of Deputy Industrial Registrar for the State.

For his entire career in this position, there were literally numerous times when he was offered all sorts of gifts and entry into numerous events from a variety of businesses and even retail outlets.  Throughout his career, Aubrey (Chippy) did not accept one of those offers.  At one occasion, when a small business owner wanted to give Chippy a voucher for a dinner for two at a high quality restaurant, Chippy politely told this fellow that he could not accept this gift as he did not wish to spoil a quality friendship.  Also, he told the fellow that if he were to accept this gift, the entire Union movement would justifiably descend upon him like a ton of bricks.  (It is worth noting that his friendship with this fellow continued for many decades).  Yes, there were many occasions when Chippy was offered a gift of some sort, and each time, he would politely decline the offer.

Then at his funeral, at which there were literally hundreds of people attending, after the service, as people were filing past my mother offering their condolences, this fellow came to her and said, “Yes, Chippy was the only inspector who was truly squeaky clean.”  My mother replied, “It’s a pity you couldn’t have told him that when he was alive”.  This fellow replied, “No, the Union would never have allowed me to say that”, and then he left us.  During my own career, I always tried to follow my father’s footsteps, by not accepting ‘freebies’.  During my time as a Qantas employee, yes, I went on a number of flights using my ‘Staff Travel’ privileges, paying the ‘staff travel’ price.  I’m still not sure what my father would have said about that privilege, but I thought they were always legitimate and above board.

So, I say to you, this practice of accepting and actually requesting free gifts is completely not acceptable. In my view, as soon as you accept the first gift, or ‘freebie’, you are compromised.  Another rival party or business is at liberty to say to you, “You accepted his gift yet you declined to accept ours”.  So, I give you a challenge; the next time you are offered a gift, or you see the temptation to seek a free gift, just politely decline, just as my father ‘Chippy’ did.

Kind Regards,

John Clarkson.

In a powerful display of cooperation and military capability, approximately 2,000 personnel from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) are participating in Exercise Keris Woomera, which began on 3 November. This exercise, held in Indonesia, marks the largest combined joint military activity between the two nations in recent history and is part of the Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2024, Australia’s largest international engagement effort in the region.

The exercise, spanning across air, maritime, amphibious, and land operations, is designed to enhance interoperability and readiness for shared security challenges. A highlight of the activities will include a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief evacuation scenario, allowing both forces to rehearse critical responses to regional crises. Keris Woomera will culminate in a combined joint live-fire exercise involving tanks, artillery, infantry, and attack helicopters.

In a show of integration, around 35 TNI personnel will deploy on board HMAS Adelaide in Darwin to undergo specialized training alongside ADF personnel. This opportunity strengthens mutual understanding and joint operational capabilities.

“Exercise Keris Woomera gives the ADF and TNI the opportunity to test our combined capabilities across the sea, land, and air employing the most complex scenarios,” stated Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones. “By training together, our forces build upon shared tactics, techniques, and procedures to enhance interoperability and readiness to respond to shared security challenges in the region.”

This year’s exercise also underscores the growing collaboration between Australia and Indonesia, recently fortified by the signing of the Australia-Indonesia Defence Cooperation Agreement. This landmark agreement, the most significant defence pact in the history of their bilateral relationship, paves the way for expanded joint training and operational coordination.

As Keris Woomera progresses, Vice Admiral Jones expressed his appreciation for the efforts of sailors, soldiers, and aviators deployed on HMAS Adelaide and in Indonesia. He eagerly anticipates observing the exercise alongside his TNI counterparts, reflecting the strengthened ties and shared commitment of both forces to maintaining stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

On November 5, Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office reported that Russian troops had killed six captured Ukrainian soldiers near Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast. According to the report, three Ukrainian soldiers were captured unarmed on October 23 during a Russian offensive near Selydove and subsequently shot.

On November 1, three more Ukrainian prisoners of war were reportedly killed by Russian forces during an assault on Ukrainian lines in the Pokrovsk direction. Ukrainian authorities regularly receive reports of the torture, mistreatment, and murder of Ukrainian POWs, adding to ongoing concerns about the treatment of prisoners in the conflict.

The recent Qantas upgrades affair has spilled far beyond Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, revealing a troubling culture of privilege across political lines. What began as a targeted scrutiny on Albanese’s flight perks has evolved into a scandal affecting ministers and MPs from all parties. As more details emerge, Australians are left questioning if their leaders are abusing entitlements and, crucially, if it’s time for a substantial overhaul of travel perks and privileges for all parliamentarians.

The controversy reached new heights over the weekend when Education Minister Jason Clare, during a Sky News interview about a proposal to reduce student debt by 20%, shared details on his own Qantas upgrade request. In 2019, Clare sought a private flight upgrade for a trip to Singapore, citing medical reasons following leg surgery. He claims the upgrade request was a one-off and can’t recall whom he contacted at Qantas, but it has highlighted the ease with which some ministers can call in personal favours, even for non-official travel.

On the other side of politics, the Nationals’ Bridget McKenzie has yet to disclose full information regarding her own upgrades. While she’s led a public outcry against Albanese’s perks, her hesitation to release her travel history has invited criticism. Similarly, Liberal MP Paul Fletcher has come under fire for his 69 upgrades over nearly 15 years, often booking economy on shorter flights to use upgrades on longer trips. It raises the question of how widespread this reliance on privileges really is.

Under parliamentary rules, MPs are entitled to fly business class domestically. However, some choose economy on short hauls, making them eligible for upgrades on longer flights. While these privileges may be within the rules, they call into question the standard of ethical accountability elected officials hold themselves to. This ongoing saga points to a critical need for policy reform.

To prevent further exploitation of taxpayer-funded perks, reforms are needed to clarify—and curb—travel benefits for all MPs. First, all upgrades on personal travel, whether domestic or overseas, should be explicitly banned. If parliamentarians wish to avoid the discomfort of economy, they should foot the bill themselves. Second, the ministers for transport and their shadows should lead by example, refusing any upgrades for official travel. This step would reduce perceptions of favouritism and influence from major corporations.

As estimates hearings kick off this week, the Qantas upgrades affair is bound to be high on the agenda. However, scrutiny of perks may just be the beginning. MPs are expected to question broader issues, from the existence of the exclusive Qantas Chairman’s Lounge to other privileges that foster unequal treatment between politicians and the public.

The Chairmen’s Lounge itself has gained attention, especially following the recent release of Joe Aston’s book on the subject. The networking benefits, provided by invitation only, amplify the connections between politicians and corporate elites, further alienating them from everyday Australians.

In addition to the upgrades issue, Senate hearings will likely address other controversies, including questions over Lidia Thorpe’s parliamentary oath. McKenzie and other opposition figures have targeted Thorpe, who protested the swearing-in ceremony for the King. However, constitutional expert Anne Twomey argues that Thorpe’s actions meet legal requirements, and pursuing action against her could backfire, feeding into her platform and possibly damaging Australia’s international image regarding Indigenous representation.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives faces a legislative marathon this week, with bills on misinformation, the NBN, aged care, and soon-to-come gambling restrictions. But the government’s latest promise to cut student debt by 20% is also under scrutiny. Announced by Albanese over the weekend, this proposal aims to ease the debt burden on millennials and younger Australians—but it won’t materialize unless Labor wins next year’s election. The government claims the cost is around $16 billion, though economists suggest the actual burden on taxpayers would be less.

The Qantas upgrades affair highlights that it’s not just the actions of a few individuals in power but a broader culture that has grown unchallenged. It’s time for Australian leaders to practice transparency and restraint, aligning themselves with the people they serve. Anything less betrays public trust, reinforcing a growing rift between MPs and their constituents. Reforming perks is a necessary first step to repair a broken image and restore faith in those elected to serve.

While Russia continues to launch dozens of Shahed drones against Ukrainian cities almost daily and more men are sent to the front line, brave Ukrainian women step up to protect the skies. The Kyiv Independent joined one such unit that refers to themselves as the Witches of Bucha, after a suburb in Kyiv Oblast where they are based. Since all of them are volunteers, these women combine their combat duties with civilian lives.