Some video footage of Ukrainian pilots has completed training on A-10 Thunderbolt II at a military base in Arizona in the US.
Last month, Corporal Jaiden Redman, alongside three other members of the Australian Army Band, attended the prestigious Drum Majors Course at Gallipoli Barracks in Enoggera. This intensive course was conducted under the expert guidance of Regimental Sergeant Major WO1 Mick Beeton, who imparted comprehensive training on the role and duties of a Drum Major. The course covered various aspects essential for leading a marching band, ensuring that the attendees were well-prepared for their new responsibilities.
Upon his successful completion of the course, Corporal Redman quickly transitioned into his new role. He was immediately given the opportunity to demonstrate his newly acquired skills, leading his first parade as Drum Major during the 1st Recruit Training Battalion (1RTB) Marchout Parade on Friday, 10th May. His performance marked a significant milestone in his career and showcased the effectiveness of the training he received.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Corporal Redman and the Australian Army Band’s newest cohort of qualified Drum Majors. Their dedication and hard work have equipped them with the skills necessary to lead and inspire, ensuring the continued excellence of the Australian Army Band.
Westmeyer Blog:
Peter Dutton’s recent announcement went beyond routine policy; it signalled a credible challenge to an industry cushioned by government support and subsidies. If renewable energy were genuinely the cheapest option and nuclear the most expensive, green energy advocates would have no reason to fear competition from nuclear power. However, the market’s response to Dutton’s intervention suggests otherwise, revealing investor scepticism towards the government’s narrative. In a competitive market, nuclear energy could outcompete renewables, much like coal did before subsidies and market rule changes favoured wind and solar.
Marilyne Crestias, CEO of the Clean Energy Investor Group, expressed concerns that this policy shift could deter future investments and cause current investors to reassess their positions. In relatively free markets like Australia’s, prices are not determined by ministerial decrees or scientific predictions but by mechanisms that allocate capital to its most productive uses. If nuclear power prospects are making financiers wary of renewables, it may be a sign that the market is correcting potential misallocations of investment.
The Clean Energy Investor Group, representing major renewable investors like Macquarie, Blackrock, Neoen, and Tilt Energy, is vested in maintaining the value of their $38 billion in clean energy assets. These assets are now politically vulnerable, prompting renewable energy investors to fund efforts to keep Labor in power. This powerful lobbying group underscores the challenge Dutton faces in making nuclear power an election-winning issue, despite growing public support and global evidence favouring nuclear energy.
Bad ideas persist when they are profitable, and the renewable energy sector’s influence on global politics has cemented the net-zero narrative. Most Western economies, including Australia, are not on track to meet their 2030 or 2050 climate commitments. A recent Fraser Institute report by Czech-Canadian scientist Vaclav Smil highlighted the monumental task ahead: replacing over 4 terawatts of electricity-generating capacity and converting almost 1.5 billion gasoline and diesel vehicles to electricity, among other massive infrastructural changes.
The unrealistic pace required to achieve these goals exposes the economic and scientific illiteracy of current policy directions. Smil criticizes the “post-factual world” where the net-zero fallacy thrives due to a lack of historical perspective and common sense. The backlash to Dutton’s nuclear announcement exemplifies this disconnect. Chris Bowen’s failure to present a solid argument against nuclear power leaves the debate tilted in Dutton’s favour.
In politics, winning elections often trumps long-term consequences. As economist Thomas Sowell noted, policies that please voters until election day can have disastrous long-term effects. The true test of Dutton’s policy is whether it introduces genuine market competition and offers a viable alternative to the current renewable-only approach. The strong reactions from the renewable energy sector suggest that Dutton may be on the right track.
Media Release:
A Senate committee has raised concerns about the increasing involvement of young Australians in right-wing extremism. On June 17, representatives from the Centre for Resilient and Inclusive Societies (CRIS) and the Addressing Violent Extremism and Radicalisation to Terrorism (AVERT) Network presented their findings on this troubling trend.
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation defines right-wing extremism as the support for violence to achieve political outcomes, often linked to ideologies like white supremacism and neo-Nazism. According to CRIS and AVERT, these movements have been growing in Australia, attracting new demographics, including young people.
Professor Michele Grossman of CRIS highlighted the role of social media in this increase, noting that young people’s exposure to extremist content has surged. Extremist groups have become more strategic, targeting their messaging to young audiences.
Grossman cited various factors drawing individuals into extremism, such as feelings of deprivation, climate change frustration, multiculturalism, the housing crisis, and unemployment. To combat this, she stressed the need for media literacy education across Australian schools.
Deradicalisation efforts, particularly for young people on the fence about extremism, were deemed crucial by AVERT representatives. They suggested toolkits to recognize disinformation and mentoring programs to provide guidance and a sense of belonging.
Despite these concerns, some political experts argue that terms like “right-wing” and “left-wing” are outdated and overly simplistic. They advocate for more precise labelling to address the core harmful beliefs behind violent behaviours, rather than broad ideological categories.
Sunday afternoon treat … 20 years old Lucy Thomas. Enjoy
We take a look beneath the surface of Collins Class submarine, HMAS Dechaineux, and find out what life is like for the crew onboard.
The Hawker Hurricane was a British single-seat fighter aircraft manufactured by Hawker Aircraft, Ltd., in the 1930s and ’40s. The Hurricane was numerically the most important British fighter during the critical early stages of World War II, sharing victory laurels with the Supermarine Spitfire in the Battle of Britain (1940–41) and the defence of Malta (1941–42). Hurricanes served in all theatres of war where British forces were engaged.
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has received an autonomous surface vessel (ASV), PBAT Sentinel, as part of a project to enhance its autonomous systems. PBAT Sentinel, formerly the Armidale-class patrol boat ex-HMAS Maitland, was retired in 2022 and converted under the Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial (PBAT) program.
Austal Australia, responsible for both the vessel’s original construction and its conversion, collaborated on PBAT. The program aims to integrate robotic, automated, and autonomous systems into a patrol boat, serving as a proof-of-concept for optionally crewed or fully autonomous operations. The trial will also address legal and regulatory requirements for operating autonomous vessels at sea.
PBAT seeks to:
- Advance remote operations and autonomous certification.
- Improve fuel management, communication, and navigation systems.
- Ensure reliable operation of shipboard mechanical systems without crew.
- Provide risk reduction insights for future naval projects.
- Apply lessons to optimize crew workload in the current fleet.
Sentinel’s conversion at Austal’s Henderson shipyard included installing monitoring and control systems for autonomous operations, along with modifications to the bilges, CCTV, and electrical systems. Greenroom Robotics added sensors and computer units for the autonomous control system.
Registered under the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), Sentinel completed sea acceptance trials (SATs) off Western Australia in March and April. It successfully performed remote and autonomous navigation, collision avoidance, and other operational tests. Following the SATs, the vessel underwent endurance trials to test its capabilities over several days.
PBAT involves the Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence Cooperative Research Centre, Greenroom Robotics, and the RAN’s Warfare Innovation Navy (WIN) Branch, with co-funding from the Australian Government.
The Coalition is committed to advancing nuclear power generation and will implement two parallel workstreams at each designated site during its first term of government. This approach underscores our strong support for nuclear energy as a vital component of a sustainable and reliable energy future.
Comprehensive Site Study
The first workstream involves an in-depth site study, which will include rigorous technical and economic assessments. This study will cover various aspects such as geological suitability, environmental impact, infrastructure requirements, and long-term economic viability. These assessments are crucial for ensuring that each site can safely and effectively support a nuclear power facility.
- Technical Evaluation: Experts will analyse the geological stability, seismic activity, and proximity to water sources required for cooling reactors. The environmental impact on local ecosystems and biodiversity will also be assessed.
- Economic Assessment: Detailed economic analysis will include cost estimates for construction, operation, and maintenance of the nuclear facility. The potential for job creation and local economic growth will also be considered.
If the study finds a location unsuitable on technical grounds, it will be promptly removed from consideration. This ensures that only the most viable sites move forward in the process. It is important to note that no new locations will be added to the list, maintaining a focused and efficient approach.
Community Engagement and Partnership
The second workstream emphasizes robust community engagement, recognizing the importance of local support and involvement in the success of nuclear power projects.
- Expert Consultations: A structured process will be established to allow communities to engage directly with experts. This will provide a platform for residents to ask questions, express concerns, and receive accurate information about nuclear power and the specific project details.
- Community Partnership: A Community Partnership will be formed at each location, consisting of experienced local representatives. This partnership will play a pivotal role in negotiating a benefits package tailored to the community’s needs.
The benefits package aims to ensure that hosting a nuclear power facility brings tangible economic advantages to the region. This may include investments in local infrastructure, educational programs, health services, and other community development initiatives. By securing the region’s economic future, the Coalition ensures that the local population directly benefits from the presence of a nuclear facility.
Commitment to Nuclear Power
The Coalition’s dual workstream approach reflects a balanced and responsible strategy for advancing nuclear power generation. By combining thorough technical assessments with proactive community engagement, we aim to ensure that nuclear power facilities are safe, economically beneficial, and supported by local communities. This initiative is a crucial step toward a sustainable energy future, reducing carbon emissions, and enhancing energy security for our nation.
The Hobart Class guided-missile destroyer, HMAS Sydney, along with its MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and a crew of about 200, was farewelled at Fleet Base East for a four-month regional presence deployment.
During this period, HMAS Sydney will participate in Exercise RIMPAC, the world’s largest international maritime exercise, Exercise Pacific Dragon, and Operation Argos, which supports UN sanctions against North Korea. The ship will also engage in activities with regional partners to enhance cooperation and interoperability.
Exercise RIMPAC 24 will involve 40 surface ships, 4 submarines, 14 national land forces, over 170 aircraft, and approximately 25,000 personnel from 30 nations, providing a significant training opportunity and strengthening regional security relationships.
Commodore Jonathan Ley emphasized that these deployments reflect Australia’s commitment to regional engagement and maintaining a near-continuous presence in the Indo-Pacific. He extended his best wishes to Commander Grant Coleman and his crew.
Commander Coleman expressed the crew’s eagerness to represent Australia in Exercise RIMPAC and throughout the deployment.