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China’s extensive spy network in Australia took centre stage at the Defending Australia Summit in Canberra, attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and various military leaders. The summit heard a startling claim that over 1200 Chinese intelligence agents are currently operating in Australia.

Minister Marles acknowledged the heightened tensions in the Pacific region due to China’s recent military activities near Taiwan. He noted that China’s significant defence buildup presents challenges for Australia. Despite these concerns, Marles emphasized the federal government’s commitment to maintaining a strong relationship with China, Australia’s largest trading partner. “We want to have the most productive relationship with China that we can,” Marles stated. He underscored the approach of working with China when possible but standing firm on disagreements to stabilize the relationship.

The Minister also reaffirmed the importance of the AUKUS pact, under which Australia will acquire nuclear-powered submarines. He announced the selection of design partners for the construction of submarine yards in South Australia, a project expected to create 4000 direct jobs at its peak, with an additional 4000 to 5500 direct jobs for the submarine construction.

The summit also featured a former spy’s revelation about the presence of over 1200 Chinese intelligence agents in Australia. These agents are reportedly involved in information gathering, surveillance, and harassment activities for the Chinese regime. The former spy’s interpreter quit moments before his speech, fearing repercussions for speaking negatively about the Chinese government.

The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) has called for a national political and social reawakening in response to emerging issues, following the release of their report, An Australian National Security Strategy – Adapting to Poly-Crisis. The report, authored by Professor John Blaxland and supported by the RSL’s national defence and security committee, urges Australia to strategically harness its natural and human resources to meet future challenges.

Key Recommendations:

• Increase Defence Spending: Expand military capacity beyond current levels, including more fighter aircraft, warships, and combat brigades.
• Strengthen International Ties: Enhance connections with ASEAN, particularly Indonesia, address the Myanmar refugee crisis, and deepen relations with the United States and South Pacific countries.
• National Community Service Scheme: Introduce a program similar to the US Peace Corps.
• New National Institute: Establish a statutory National Institute of Net Assessment to monitor strategic threats.

RSL National President Greg Melick emphasized that these issues impact all Australians, not just veterans and Defence personnel. He highlighted the need for a substantial increase in resourcing and visionary engagement to address growing threats and ensure national preparedness.

The report also calls for more flexible Defence recruiting standards and employment conditions to adapt to modern combat roles in cyber and space security.

“The time to act is now,” Melick concluded, urging immediate and serious commitment to these recommendations for Australia’s security.

ED: A message from the Naval Association of Australia

The Naval Association of Australia will commemorate HMAS Sydney and all the ships and the Navy, Army and RAAF veterans who answered the call of their country in the Vietnam War at 11am at the Jack Tar memorial at Southbank on Thursday 30 May. All welcome.

Mention the ‘Vung Tau Ferry’ to any Vietnam veteran and they will immediately recall HMAS Sydney (III), the former aircraft carrier converted to a troopship that became the mainstay of naval support operations for Australian forces. Regular Army and conscripts got their first glimpse of the war from her upper deck. The affectionately designated moniker was due to her journeys to the port of Vung Tau in South Vietnam, the naval base for the Australian Task Force. Many of these sailors were 16-year-old junior recruits getting their first taste of life at sea.

Commissioned in 1948, HMAS Sydney was key to Australia’s post-war naval aviation capability and served with distinction in the Korean War. Refitted for troopship duties, she began her first voyage to Vietnam in May 1965, transporting the First Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), from Sydney to Vung Tau. Over this period, she embarked troops and equipment from Brisbane and Townsville.

Between 1965 and 1972, Sydney undertook 25 voyages to Vietnam and transported 16,094 troops, both Army and RAAF. She also moved 5,753 deadweight tons of cargo and 2,375 vehicles including rations, medical supplies, weaponry and ammunition.

The Vung Tau Ferry brought together men from 2 very distinct cultures: the Navy and the Army. In the days before leaving Australia, Sydney would be loaded and crewmembers detailed to act as ‘sea daddies’ to groups of soldiers, helping them to get their bearings on the ship, showing them where to stow their gear and how to sling their hammocks. Apart from the unfamiliarity with shipboard life, or with the ways of the Navy, the soldiers often found Sydney to be uncomfortable, particularly in tropical waters with no air conditioning when the heat below decks was intense.

It was no pleasure cruise for the troops, recalls Brisbane’s Richard Kenny OAM from 7RAR. ‘The Army continued with fitness and weapons training, range practice and the Navy insisted we pitch in with cleaning decks and showers as well,’ he says.

‘The big surprise was sleeping in hammocks, then the loud “Wakey Wakey Call to Hands” that blasted us out of them. Tasks such as refuelling the ship in the middle of the heaving ocean were fascinating to us, unlike driving an Armoured Personnel Carrier up to a bowser.’

On every voyage, Sydney was protected by at least one escort that provided security against potential hostile forces. Escorts included HMA Ships Melbourne, Anzac, Derwent, Duchess, Parramatta, Stuart, Swan, Torrens, Vampire, Vendetta and Yarra.

For those like Richard on the return voyage after their 12-month tour of duty, the passage to Australia offered a chance to relax, reflect on their experiences and prepare for the transition from war to peace. Such a period of reflection was denied to those soldiers who returned home by aircraft, leaving Vietnam and being home within 10 hours.

For more information, please contact Jayne Keogh at [email protected]

The Battle of Omdurman in 1898 was a decisive conflict in which British and Egyptian forces, led by General Herbert Kitchener, defeated the Sudanese Mahdist forces. This battle marked the culmination of the British campaign to reassert control over Sudan. The British utilized modern weaponry, including machine guns and artillery, overwhelming the Mahdist warriors who suffered heavy casualties. The victory effectively ended the Mahdist state and established British dominance in Sudan.

The 5 RAR Association is pleased to announce the celebration of its 60th Anniversary Reunion, scheduled to take place from 27 February to 2 March 2025. This special event will be hosted at the Twin Towns Services Club, located in the beautiful Tweed Heads.

Members, past and present, along with their families and friends, are warmly invited to join in commemorating this milestone occasion. The reunion promises to be a memorable gathering, offering a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, share stories, and celebrate the rich history and camaraderie of the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.

To confirm your attendance or for further details, please reach out to Gary Townsend. He can be contacted via phone at 0412 767 975 or by email at [email protected]. Don’t miss out on this significant comemorative5RAR event!

Regards,

Gary Townsend

5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor 

[email protected]

82 Lake Hills,

117 Palm Meadows Drive,
CARRARA, QLD, 4211, AUSTRALIA
Ph: 07 5594 4780   Mob: 0412 767 975

Recent arrests of high-ranking Russian military officials have raised questions about President Vladimir Putin’s motives and control over the Defence Ministry. The arrests began last month with a deputy defence minister and have since included several senior officials. All face corruption charges, which they deny.

These arrests come as Putin starts his fifth term and shifts Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu to a new role. Analysts speculate this could be an effort to reassert control over the military, a result of internal power struggles, or a broader anti-corruption drive.

The Role of Corruption in Russia

Corruption is deeply ingrained in Russian governance, serving as both a tool for maintaining loyalty and a method of control. Experts suggest that the state uses compromising material on officials to selectively target them, thus reinforcing Putin’s grip on power. The war in Ukraine has increased defence spending, creating more opportunities for graft.

Key Arrests

• Timur Ivanov, former Deputy Defence Minister, accused of taking large bribes, oversaw major military construction projects, including in Mariupol.
• Yury Kuznetsov, head of the Defence Ministry’s personnel directorate.
• Ivan Popov, former top commander in Ukraine, known for criticizing the Defence Ministry.
• Vadim Shamarin, deputy chief of the military general staff.
• Vladimir Verteletsky, from the defence procurement department, charged with abuse of office.

Why Now?

The crackdown suggests a shift towards reducing blatant corruption within the Defence Ministry. Putin’s replacement of Shoigu with economist Andrei Belousov indicates a focus on integrating defence spending with broader economic goals. Russia’s defence budget, now 6.7% of GDP, underscores the need for efficient spending.

The appointment of Belousov and the subsequent arrests may also be an effort to address internal criticisms and ensure the war in Ukraine is managed more effectively. Analysts believe this could either be a Kremlin-led initiative or a move by the security services to counter military dominance.

Potential Outcomes

Further arrests are likely as the new defence minister seeks to demonstrate accountability. However, the pervasive nature of corruption in Russia means that aggressive crackdowns could destabilize the system. If more officials are targeted, it could lead to panic and unrest within the government.

Overall, while the Kremlin denies any purging, the situation indicates significant internal shifts and a potential power struggle within Russia’s political and military hierarchy.

A Sudanese migrant with a criminal record who “self-identifies” as an Aboriginal man was granted the right to stay in Australia.

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Criminal Sudanese migrant who ‘identifies as Aboriginal’ allowed to stay in Australia | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site

If the governing Conservative Party wins the national election on July 4, all 18-year-olds in Britain will be required to perform a year of mandatory military or civilian national service, the party announced Sunday.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged to reintroduce a form of national service for the first time in over 60 years, aiming to revitalise his election campaign after a sluggish start. Historically, the UK implemented military conscription during World War II and maintained 18 months of mandatory military service for men from 1947 to 1960. Since then, the country has relied on an all-volunteer military force, which has gradually decreased in size.

Under the new proposal, a small fraction of 18-year-olds—approximately 30,000 out of an estimated 700,000—would spend 12 months in the military, serving in roles such as logistics or cyber defence. The majority would engage in monthly volunteer work with charities, community groups, hospitals, police, or fire services.

Sunak emphasized that the program would foster “a shared sense of purpose among our young people and a renewed sense of pride in our country.” However, the exact mechanism for enforcing this compulsory service remains unclear. Home Secretary James Cleverly assured that no one would be compelled to join the military.

Cleverly clarified that the primary objective of the new plan is to create “a society where people mix with others from different communities, backgrounds, religions, and income levels.” The Conservatives estimate the national service plan will cost £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion) annually, funded in part by reallocating £1.5 billion ($1.9 billion) from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, established in 2022 to revitalize deprived communities.

The Labour Party criticized the proposal as a “desperate £2.5 billion unfunded commitment” from a party “bankrupt of ideas.” Former Labour Home Secretary Alan Johnson derided the plan as “compulsory volunteering” and predicted it would never be implemented.

UK elections are required every five years, with the prime minister having discretion over the exact timing within that period. Sunak, 44, surprised many, including his own party members, by announcing the election date as July 4. The Conservatives, in power for 14 years, are lagging behind the opposition Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, in opinion polls and are struggling against a widespread desire for change.

Sunak’s election announcement, made outside 10 Downing Street, was marred by heavy rain and protesters playing a Labour campaign song. One of his initial campaign stops was at the Belfast shipyard where the Titanic was built—an irony eagerly highlighted by critics.

Voters will elect lawmakers to all 650 seats in the House of Commons. The leader of the party securing a majority, either alone or in coalition, will become prime minister.

Bureaucracy gone mad!

Ray Payne OAM – 28/O5/24

Australia is charging headlong into the financial quagmire of climate zealotry, now targeting our farmers with yet another layer of bureaucratic oversight and wasteful spending. In a recent announcement, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen unveiled a whopping $63.8 million investment to supposedly lower emissions from the farming sector under the Agriculture and Land Sector plan. This is on top of a half-billion-dollar injection into the Future Drought Fund, all aimed at dressing up our agricultural sector in the latest green credentials.

At the Sustainable Agriculture Summit in Toowoomba, Bowen waxed lyrical about the necessity of “accurate standardised emissions reporting” to meet the Paris Agreement targets. This initiative includes educating farmers on emissions accounting—an elaborate process involving the use of standardised methods to quantify greenhouse gases, supposedly helping farmers to identify areas for reduction and ensure transparency.

But let’s call a spade a spade: This is a colossal waste of taxpayer money. The idea of spending millions to measure and manage cow farts and sheep burps is nothing short of absurd. Chris Bowen’s grand plan reeks of the same out-of-touch elitism that often characterizes urban environmental policy, disconnected from the gritty realities of rural farming life.

Bowen asserts that this initiative will “unlock new opportunities” for farmers. However, the reality is that most of these so-called opportunities are little more than regulatory hoops through which farmers must jump. Instead of focusing on productivity and innovation, our farmers are now being conscripted into the climate crusade, burdened with new layers of compliance and reporting that do little to improve their bottom lines.

The minister’s vision of a decarbonised agricultural sector is not just impractical; it is harmful. Farmers already face myriad challenges, from fluctuating commodity prices to the ever-present threat of droughts. Adding the task of greenhouse gas accounting is a distraction they can ill afford. This initiative diverts time, energy, and resources away from actual farming, pushing them into the labyrinth of government red tape.

The breakdown of the funding further highlights the waste. Over $28.7 million will be funnelled into improving greenhouse gas accounting from the national level down to individual farms. This is a boon for bureaucrats and consultants but offers scant tangible benefits to farmers. The lion’s share—$30.8 million—will supposedly accelerate on-ground action to reduce emissions, yet these actions often translate into more invasive oversight and restrictions on farming practices.

Moreover, a paltry $4.4 million is earmarked for long-term research through the Zero Net Emissions Agriculture Cooperative Research Centre. While research is crucial, this token amount is unlikely to yield significant breakthroughs, serving more as a box-ticking exercise to appease climate activists than a genuine attempt at innovation.

Minister for Agriculture Murray Watt claims that reducing emissions will benefit farmers, who are on the frontline of climate change. Yet, this paternalistic approach overlooks the resilience and ingenuity that farmers have demonstrated for generations. They do not need government mandates to tell them how to run their businesses. What they need are practical support and freedom from excessive regulation.

The agricultural sector’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily methane from livestock, is well-documented. However, the solution is not to burden farmers with emissions reporting but to support sustainable practices that naturally evolve from the industry’s needs and innovations. Government interventions often create more problems than they solve, stifling the very creativity and adaptability that are the hallmarks of successful farming.

In conclusion, Chris Bowen’s plan is emblematic of the misguided priorities that plague current environmental policies. Rather than throwing millions at fanciful schemes to measure and manage livestock emissions, we should focus on empowering farmers to do what they do best: produce food efficiently and sustainably. This latest initiative is not a step towards sustainability; it is a stumble into bureaucratic excess and misallocated resources. Australia deserves better, and so do our farmers.