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The HMAS Melbourne and HMAS Voyager collision occurred on 10 February 1964 off the coast of Jervis Bay, NSW. The aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne (R21) collided with the Daring-class destroyer HMAS Voyager (D04) during night exercises. Voyager mistakenly crossed Melbourne’s path and was cut in two, sinking within minutes. 82 crew members of Voyager lost their lives, making it one of Australia’s worst peacetime naval disasters. Two Royal Commissions were held, leading to controversy over blame and command decisions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdlFz3Eg5e0r

ASPI – The Strategist – By Tom McDermott

In January, I crossed the milestone of 24 years of service in two militaries—the British and Australian armies. It is fair to say that I am a professional soldier. Soldiering has consumed the whole of my adult life. Indeed, it has been a focus since I first put on an army cadet uniform at the age of twelve.

CLICK LINK to read the full story

On the value of military service | The Strategist

On Thursday, February 6, 2025, Australia enacted stringent new laws imposing mandatory jail sentences for hate crimes, including performing Nazi salutes in public. This legislative move aims to address a significant increase in antisemitic attacks across the country.

New Hate Crime Legislation

The newly passed laws stipulate severe penalties for hate-related offenses:

• Public Display of Hate Symbols: Individuals caught performing a Nazi salute or displaying hate symbols in public face a mandatory minimum sentence of 12 months imprisonment.
• Terrorism-Related Hate Crimes: Offenses connected to terrorism, including financing terrorist activities or advocating violence based on race, religion, disability, ethnic origin, or gender identity, carry mandatory minimum sentences of up to six years.

These measures were introduced in response to a series of antisemitic incidents targeting Jewish communities in Australia. Recent months have seen a disturbing rise in attacks on synagogues and Jewish community properties, including acts of arson and vandalism. Notably, a caravan loaded with explosives intended for Jewish targets was discovered in Sydney, underscoring the escalating threat.

Government’s Firm Stance

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who previously opposed mandatory sentencing, has taken a position against antisemitic offenses. He emphasised the necessity of holding offenders accountable, stating, “I want people who are engaged in antisemitism to be held to account, to be charged, to be incarcerated.”

Recent Legal Actions

The enforcement of these new laws has already led to significant legal actions:

• Jacob Hersant Case: Self-described neo-Nazi Jacob Hersant became the first individual in Victoria to be convicted under the new legislation for performing a Nazi salute in public. He was sentenced to one month in jail, highlighting the government’s commitment to enforcing these laws.
• Soccer Match Incident: In New South Wales, three men were convicted for performing Nazi salutes during a soccer match in June 2024. They were fined for their actions and are currently appealing against the penalties imposed.

These developments underscore Australia’s resolve to combat hate crimes and protect its diverse communities from acts of hatred and intolerance.

 

The Australian government is investing in local innovation and a future made in Australia by supporting two Canberra-based companies to advance electronic warfare technology. This initiative falls under a program designed to develop critical capabilities for all three AUKUS nations.

The government has awarded contracts worth more than $8 million through the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA). This funding will provide essential financial support, ensuring the continuation of innovative research while securing over 150 local jobs. The investment aims to assist in the development and demonstration of electronic warfare prototypes that align with Australian Defence Force (ADF) operational needs. These advancements highlight the significant role Australian industry plays in contributing to the development of sophisticated electronic warfare capabilities, including those under AUKUS Pillar II.

These technologies enhance the ability of joint AUKUS forces to achieve superior situational awareness and maintain effective communication across multiple domains, even in contested environments where adversaries may attempt to disrupt awareness or block command and control functions. Established in 2024, the AUKUS Innovation Challenge Series fosters collaboration among AUKUS partners, harnessing their respective strengths to provide cutting-edge capabilities for defence forces. Further details on the AUKUS Pillar II EW Innovation Challenge can be found at www.asca.gov.au.
This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s sovereign defence industry. Through ASCA, the government is ensuring that local innovators play a key role in shaping Australia’s industrial and technological future, while also supporting the broader strategic objectives of AUKUS.

The federal government has unveiled a significant $842 million funding package aimed at supporting remote communities in the Northern Territory over the next six years. This initiative seeks to enhance essential services, improve community safety, and address longstanding social and economic disparities.

The funding will be directed toward a range of critical areas, including policing, women’s safety, healthcare, and education. Additionally, it will provide financial support to various community organisations and secure over 500 jobs across the territory. The goal is to ensure that all Australians, regardless of their location, have access to the same opportunities and quality of life.

This investment follows ongoing discussions about the effectiveness of previous budget allocations directed towards similar initiatives. Despite billions already allocated for Indigenous programs nationwide, significant gaps remain in healthcare, education, and law enforcement services in remote areas. The government maintains that targeted funding is necessary to achieve meaningful progress in these communities.

While this announcement has been welcomed by some as a much-needed boost for regional development, others question whether additional funding will lead to tangible improvements. There have been calls for greater transparency and accountability to ensure that resources are effectively utilised to bring about real change.

This funding commitment also comes amid broader discussions on crime and social issues in the Northern Territory, which have been a focal point in political debates. With a federal election on the horizon, the effectiveness of such initiatives and their impact on local communities will likely remain a key topic of discussion.

Defence Release

HMAS Stuart conducts a replenishment at sea with Indian Navy Ships Shakti and Tabar with INS Kadmatt behind as part of Exercise Malabar 24. Photo: Leading Seaman Rikki-Lea Phillips

The Australian Navy is using data and analytics to improve the lethality and survivability of the fleet, enabled by new Defence Data Standards making Defence’s data more accessible and usable.

No two ships, even of the same type, are identical. Each has unique operational characteristics, and quality data is required for a commander to capitalise on a vessel’s best attributes.

Characteristics like a vessel’s acoustic and magnetic signatures, weapon systems performance and state of battle-worthiness is all information that supports decision advantage.

Director of the Maritime Warfare Centre (MWC) Captain Ben Hissink said Defence had massive data holdings across the enterprise, but these data holdings are often siloed, duplicated and disconnected.

“Data needs to be discoverable and shareable, and at the speed of relevance, for senior decision makers and the warfighter in the battlespace,” Captain Hissink said.

The MWC is working with Data Division to implement new agreed Defence standards for data asset registration (DAR) – a standard endorsed by the Defence Data and Analytics Board in December 2023.

The new standard is designed to improve the sharing and interoperability of data between platforms and networks, including with allies and partners.

Essentially, the new DAR standard is a set of common attributes (metadata) applied when data is stored. The standards will enable the search and discovery of Defence data, which will improve data integration and interoperability.

‘This is not just about Navy, but all of Defence using the standard protocols to ensure data is shareable with all of our stakeholders.’

Many Defence people are familiar with the use of NATO Stock Numbers (NSN), which is a standard used by NATO member countries and their partners to manage supply items.

The NSN provides standardisation for supply items, which helps to ensure the efficiency of logistics. In a similar way, the data standards will ensure the efficiency of data.

The MWC’s first collection of data was from maritime exercises. By digitising and collecting data throughout exercises and applying the new data standard, MWC staff consolidated and used data from multiple sources in a virtual environment.

This allowed visualisations and replays showing the locations of red and blue forces, the actions taken by each, and the outcomes achieved.

MWC staff use the data to analyse the tactics and performance of platforms and weapon systems. They then use this information to identify opportunities for improvements to tactics, techniques and procedures.

The analysis can also be used to provide feedback into the development and upgrade of platforms and weapons systems.

“The end goals of all of this work in Defence are standards and interactive tools that span all Defence data stores and data types,” Captain Hissink said.

“This is not just about Navy, but all of Defence using the standard protocols to ensure data is shareable with all of our stakeholders.”

 

Defence Release

Brigadier Troy Francis has been appointed commandant of the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) for the next three years.

With a Defence career spanning 30 years in Army, Brigadier Francis said he was honoured to lead an institution he always wanted to be involved with.

“Being able to come here, interact with and mentor the ADF’s trainee officer cohort will be a career highlight for me,” Brigadier Francis said.

Inspired by his father, who served in Army, Brigadier Francis completed his officer training at the Royal Military College – Duntroon in 1995, before being posted to the 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment in Brisbane.

With a broad range of tactical and strategic experience, Brigadier Francis has performed multiple roles in Australia and overseas.

“I’ve been involved in individual soldier training through Army promotion courses, conducted joint strategic military planning and personnel policy development,” he said.

“I’ve also been part of strategic intelligence collection and exploitation, served on operations, been heavily involved with international engagement, and more recently worked in workforce modernisation and design, and career management.”

‘Our trainee officers must have the best opportunities and conditions to serve our nation and lead our sailors, soldiers and aviators in war. Each of us has a responsibility to make every day count.’

Brigadier Francis has also served in multiple roles in the United States, including at the US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the Pentagon in Washington DC, where he was appointed Division Chief in the Coalition Strategy Division, where he led a cross-functional team countering violent extremism.

Previous roles include sub-unit command of the 6th Engineer Support Regiment in Brisbane; Commanding Officer of the Warrant Officer and Non-Commissioned Officer Academy; and Deputy Director of Global Operations for the Afghanistan and Pakistan desk in the Military Strategic Commitments Branch.

He also served in senior roles within the Directorate of Soldier Career Management Army, and the Army Capability Branch and Army G1 after his promotion to Brigadier in 2022. Most recently, Brigadier Francis was the inaugural Director General of the Military Personnel Branch in the new Military Personnel Organisation.

Brigadier Francis said every member of ADFA had been selected to attend the academy and should be a leader and role model for their peers, through leading by example.

“They should not only promote their own leadership, but inculcate a sense of duty, loyalty and service to our nation,” Brigadier Francis said.

“Lastly, we know from the National Defence Strategy that warning time is a thing of the past. From my point of view, we must make the most of every day and take every opportunity to grow our next generation of ADF leaders.

“We must maximise every opportunity to achieve the highest levels of professional expertise essential in high-end conflict. Our trainee officers must have the best opportunities and conditions to serve our nation and lead our sailors, soldiers and aviators in war. Each of us has a responsibility to make every day count.”

 

Defence Media Release

Naval and air force units from Australia, Japan, the Philippines and the United States conducted a multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone on 5 February 2025.

This included HMAS Hobart and a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

Australia’s participation in MCAs with the Philippines underlines our commitment to regional and international cooperation in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Australia’s participation supports the right to freedom of navigation and overflight under international law, other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Strong cooperation and the ability to work together, demonstrated through activities such this, enhance our interoperability and readiness to respond to shared security challenges with partners.

HMAS Hobart participated in the MCA during a six-week Regional Presence Deployment (RPD). RPDs in the Indo-Pacific demonstrate Australia’s commitment and ability to maintain a near continuous presence in the region to support regional security and stability.

 

The 1st Affair

A married man was having an affair

with his secretary.

One day they went to her place

and made love all afternoon.

Exhausted, they fell asleep

and woke up at 8 PM.

The man hurriedly dressed

and told his lover to take his shoes

outside and rub them in the grass and dirt.

He put on his shoes and drove home.

‘Where have you been?’ his wife demanded.

‘I can’t lie to you,’ he replied,

‘I’m having an affair with my secretary.

We had sex all afternoon.’

She looked down at his shoes and said:

‘You lying bastard!

You’ve been playing golf!’

The 2nd Affair

A middle-aged couple had two beautiful daughters

but always talked about having a son.

They decided to try one last time

for the son they always wanted.

The wife got pregnant

and delivered a healthy baby boy.

The joyful father rushed to the nursery

to see his new son.

He was horrified at the ugliest child

he had ever seen.

He told his wife:

‘There’s no way I can

be the father of this baby.

Look at the two beautiful daughters I fathered!

Have you been fooling around behind my back?’

The wife smiled sweetly and replied:

‘No, not this time!’

The 3rd Affair

A mortician was working late one night.

He examined the body of Mr. Schwartz,

about to be cremated,

and made a startling discovery.

Schwartz had the largest private part

he had ever seen!

‘I’m sorry Mr. Schwartz,’ the mortician

commented, ‘I can’t allow you to be cremated

with such an impressive private part.

It must be saved for posterity..’

So, he removed it,

stuffed it into his briefcase,

and took it home.

‘I have something to show

you won’t believe,’ he said to his wife,

opening his briefcase.

‘My God!’ the wife exclaimed,

‘Schwartz is dead!’

The 4th Affair

A woman was in bed with her lover

when she heard her husband

opening the front door.

‘Hurry,’ she said, ‘stand in the corner.’

She rubbed baby oil all over him,

then dusted him with talcum powder.

‘Don’t move until I tell you,’

she said. ‘Pretend you’re a statue..’

‘What’s this?’ the husband inquired

as he entered the room.

‘Oh it’s a statue,’ she replied.

‘The Smiths bought one and I liked it

so I got one for us, too.’

No more was said,

not even when they went to bed.

Around 2 AM the husband got up,

went to the kitchen and returned

with a sandwich and a beer.

‘Here,’ he said to the statue, ‘have this.

I stood like that for two days at the Smiths

and nobody offered me a damned thing.’

 

The 5th Affair

A man walked into a cafe,

went to the bar and ordered a beer.

‘Certainly, Sir, that’ll be one cent.’

‘One Cent?’ the man exclaimed.

He glanced at the menu and asked:

‘How much for a nice juicy steak

and a bottle of wine?’

‘A nickel,’ the barman replied.

‘A nickel?’ exclaimed the man.

‘Where’s the guy who owns this place?’

The bartender replied:

‘Upstairs, with my wife.’

The man asked: ‘What’s he doing upstairs with your wife?’

The bartender replied:

‘The same thing I’m doing

to his business down here.’

The 6th & Best Affair

Jake was dying. His wife sat at the bedside.

He looked up and said weakly:

‘I have something I must confess.’

‘There’s no need to, ‘his wife replied.

‘No,’ he insisted,

‘I want to die in peace.

I slept with your sister, your best friend,

her best friend, and your mother!’

‘I know,’ she replied.

‘Now just rest and let the poison work.’

3 February 2025

DVA has simplified the access requirements for the Booked Car with Driver (BCWD) service.

Veteran Gold or White Card holders with eligibility under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) who meet the threshold access criteria can access the BCWD service, where DVA arranges transport to take clients to attend treatment that is covered by their Veteran Card.

Veteran White Card holders must be travelling for treatment of a condition covered by their Card (including conditions covered through Non-Liability Health Care)

BCWD is available to VEA Veteran Card holders who are:

• Aged 80 years or older; or
• Are living with dementia, (any age); or
• Are legally blind (any age); or
• Aged 79 years or younger and meet one or more of the following specific medical conditions:
  • a chronic or temporary condition that makes using public transport challenging.

Including but not limited to frailty or incontinence.

• any mental or physical condition that severely limits independence.

Including but not limited to respiratory issues, amputation, arthritis, cardiac disorders, vascular disease, paralysis, significant muscle control or coordination issues, significant mental disorders, psychosis.

• recent surgery or treatment that makes travelling by public transport difficult.

Improving communication on BCWD is a priority, so we’ve developed an infographic to help you understand if you have access to the service.

Visit the Booked Car with Driver webpage to view the infographic and learn more.

To discuss your access or to make a booking, call 1800 550 455.