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Never prepared for such tragic news

NO one begins a day expecting not to be there at the end of it.

Life presents many hazards, most of which with care and attention can be managed though never eliminated.

There are some professions where risks are a normal challenge, the mining, aviation and maritime industries, community first responders and of course, the military.

Risk managers constantly reinforce the simple message, “there are no such things as accidents, there are unsafe acts and unsafe conditions or a combination of both”.

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Never prepared for such tragic news | Australian Defence History, Policy and Veterans Issues (targetsdown.blogspot.com)

While I was away, I have given a lot of thought about proposal by RSL Queensland to include the acknowledgment of country for Anzac Day ceremonies is not only misguided but also disrespectful to the solemnity and purpose of the occasion. Here’s why this proposal deserves strong criticism:

Anzac Day stands as a solemn national tribute, a sacred occasion to honour the valour and sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women. Yet, RSL Queensland’s proposed alteration hijacks this solemnity, shamelessly exploiting it as a platform for political posturing. Such brazen politicization desecrates the memory of those who gave their lives for their country, reducing their noble sacrifice to a mere tool for ideological agendas.

The proposed acknowledgment veers dangerously away from the core ethos of Anzac Day, diluting the reverence owed to our fallen heroes. By prioritizing a vague, politically correct narrative over the solemn tribute to our servicemen and women, RSL Queensland betrays the very essence of this national commemoration. This erosion of tradition and sacrifice is a disgraceful affront to the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of our nation.

The vehement backlash from veterans underscores the profound lack of consensus and consultation surrounding this ill-conceived proposal. Critical decisions regarding such sacred commemorations demand meticulous consultation with all stakeholders, particularly veterans and their families. RSL Queensland’s failure to heed this imperative demonstrates a callous disregard for the sentiments of those whose sacrifice Anzac Day exists to honour.

Anzac Day holds profound significance for veterans and their families, serving as a poignant testament to the indomitable spirit and unwavering courage of those who served. Yet, RSL Queensland’s proposed revision threatens to betray this legacy, relegating the sacrifices of our servicemen and women to the periphery of the commemorative narrative. Such a betrayal of veterans’ legacy is utterly reprehensible and demands resolute opposition from all who hold dear the values of remembrance and respect.

RSL Queensland’s feeble attempts to justify this revision as an homage to Traditional Owners and Indigenous heritage ring hollow in the face of widespread condemnation. The purported desire for a more “veteran-centric” acknowledgment crumbles under scrutiny, revealing instead a thinly veiled attempt to appease political sensitivities at the expense of solemnity and tradition. Such disingenuous justifications only serve to deepen the outrage and underscore the profound betrayal of Anzac Day’s sacred legacy.

In summation, RSL Queensland’s proposal to include their acknowledgment of country for Anzac Day ceremonies is an egregious betrayal of our nation’s sacred duty to honour and remember the sacrifices of our servicemen and women. It represents a shameful capitulation to political expediency, a callous disregard for tradition and sacrifice, and a profound betrayal of the veterans whose memory Anzac Day exists to honour. This proposal must be unequivocally rejected, and the sanctity of Anzac Day vigorously defended against such crass attempts at politicization and revisionism.

Ray Payne OAM

2 April 2024

PLEASE be seated as we draw inspiration from Isiah 55, which says, “Come, all you who are thirsty but have no money, eat buy wine and milk without money and without cost”.

Now I have your undivided attention, let’s address the vexed issue of religious affairs in the ADF.

Genesis 1:27 offers guidance, “So God created man in his own image, male and female he created them”, and in Romans 2:11, “God shows no partiality”.

Except in the ADF there is one who sits not at the right hand of God, he thinks he IS God.

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Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition | Australian Defence History, Policy and Veterans Issues (targetsdown.blogspot.com)

ED: Seeing that I’ll be away I’ll leave you with a laugh – See you all when I get back.

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Menopause Is Worse Than PMS – Jeff Allen – 1Funny.com

Creating a simpler, easier to use system for the veteran community. The Government is committed to ensuring that Defence personnel, veterans and their families are well looked after. Highlighted by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide in its Interim Report, and fully supported by the Government , we are simplifying and harmonising veterans’ legislation that governs compensation and rehabilitation, so veterans and their families can more easily get the support they are entitled to. We want your feedback on the draft Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024. Here you can review the proposed changes, understand what’s different and why, learn how changes may impact you, and of course, get involved and provide feedback. An information booklet is also available. Submissions can be provided until 28 April 2024. Visit dva.gov.au to find out more.

Go along with Scripps News for an inside look into the Ukrainian FPV (first person view) Kamikaze drone unit. As artillery shells and rockets run short, Ukraine’s military increasingly turns to FPV drones — marking a new leap in the evolution of Ukraine’s war with Russia. We spend a day in the life of Darwin, a 21-year-old ace FPV drone pilot with Ukraine’s “Achilles” battalion of the 92nd brigade. Darwin hunts targets including Russian tanks, armored personnel carriers and individual soldiers.” Our international correspondent, Jason Bellini, got rare access, over 20 hours, to Darwin and his team. An upcoming episode of Scripps News’ documentary series, “In Real Life,” will focus on the first-person experiences of Darwin, our “kamikaze kid.” This short video is a preview of what’s to come: an all-access view of how Darwin and his team manage to take out, in a single day, nearly a dozen Russian targets.

Oceania Precision, a leading Australian firearms innovator, is unveiling its latest breakthrough in firearm technology. The company’s new “Inclined Radial Locking” bolt system marks a significant step towards domestic defence production. Designed and manufactured in Tamworth, New South Wales, this innovative system reduces friction loading between bolt mating surfaces, particularly in AR/M4 firearms.

Scheduled for extensive testing on the M4 gas-operated rifle platform, commonly used by the US Army and Marine Corps, Oceania Precision’s enhanced bolt system promises enhanced performance and longevity. Already implemented in bolt action rifles, the company plans to offer a complete Australian-made barrel and bolt carrier group package for the US commercial and defence markets.

Jeffrey Bacon, Managing Director of Oceania Precision, expressed confidence in the system’s performance, citing reduced gas requirements and exceptional results, even when suppressed. He emphasized its resilience in adverse conditions, underscoring its role in strengthening Australia’s manufacturing capabilities.

The new system addresses shortcomings in traditional designs and aligns with the Australian government’s Defence Industry Development Strategy. Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy recently launched this strategy, which includes increased funding and support for defence industry initiatives, signalling a commitment to fostering innovation and growth in the sector. Oceania Precision plans to market its platform later this year, leveraging Australia’s reputation for quality and precision in manufacturing.

Overall, Oceania Precision’s latest innovation represents a significant advancement in firearm technology, poised to enhance both domestic defence capabilities and Australia’s standing in the global arms market.

Australia’s Snowy 2.0 was sold as a nation-building megaproject for a low-carbon future – and was meant to be feeding power into the grid by the end of 2024. Instead, the pumped hydro project, which was once estimated to cost $2 billion, is four years behind schedule and now forecast to hit $12 billion. In this documentary, Four Corners reveals the inside story of Snowy 2.0 and how it all went so horribly wrong. Reporter Angus Grigg challenges its founding champion, former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who says as much as $2 billion of the cost blow out can be traced back to a massive tunnel boring machine called Florence. Florence is currently stuck.

The recent announcement by Women’s Minister Katy Gallagher regarding the government’s intention to leverage its purchasing power to compel businesses to advance women’s outcomes has sparked considerable concern. Senator Gallagher emphasized the government’s plan to utilize its annual $70 billion expenditure on goods and services to ensure a fairer distribution of resources towards women. This initiative entails mandating businesses with 500 or more employees to commit to specific targets aimed at enhancing gender equality within their workplaces in order to be eligible for government contracts.

Under this proposal, businesses would be required to address various aspects such as the gender composition of their boards and workforce, ensuring equal pay, implementing flexible working arrangements, fostering workplace consultation on gender equality, and actively preventing and addressing sexual harassment. The Workplace Gender Equality Agency would collaborate with businesses to establish these targets, effectively placing a new layer of regulatory oversight on private enterprises.

Moreover, this move follows the implementation of “positive duty” laws, which obligate companies to take proactive measures to prevent assault and harassment rather than merely reacting to incidents after they occur. Senator Gallagher stressed that businesses would not only need to set targets for gender equality but also demonstrate tangible progress towards achieving them.

Additionally, the government intends to introduce more stringent targets for female representation on government boards and advisory bodies as part of its broader national strategy dubbed “working for women.” While framed as a commitment to advancing the rights and opportunities for women and girls in Australia, concerns linger regarding the practical implications and potential unintended consequences of such sweeping mandates.

The strategy identifies five priority areas for attention, including ending gender-based violence, enhancing economic equality and security, improving health outcomes, and increasing women’s representation in leadership and decision-making roles. However, questions remain regarding the feasibility and effectiveness of these initiatives in addressing deeply entrenched societal inequalities.

Moreover, while the opposition party has proposed measures to address the gender disparity in superannuation through the expansion of the government-funded Paid Parental Leave scheme, the underlying systemic issues contributing to the super gap between men and women remain largely unaddressed.

In summary, while the government’s initiative to leverage its purchasing power to promote gender equality may be well-intentioned, there are legitimate concerns regarding its efficacy, potential burdens on businesses, and the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing systemic inequalities faced by women in Australia.