Redlands18
Well-Known Member
Got to agree Defence has done very well over the last few years and it will be very important to keep this momentum going
Looks like some change in defence.
Christoper Pyne to be the new Defence Minister and Steve Ciobo steps into Defence Industry.
Marise Payne to be the new Foreign affairs Minister.
Some change.
Some stability.
Not what I would have hoped for but I trust and hope they make it work.
Regards S
Marise is the new Foreign Minister, Pyne is new Defmin and Ciobo into Defence Industry
Scott Morrison announces new ministry
Change had to happen with Bishop stepping down from the Foreign Minister role, so Pyne was probably the best option to take over, probably a smart move and something I think Pyne had wanted for a while
Cheers
Not bad. I was terrified that a former PM with a grudge might get Defence and demand re-evaluation of the SEA1000 project with 6 months delay, then lose the next election and the new government do the same, with (at least) a delay and at worst a total derailment. This way, since Pyne is already intimately involved with the project, and Ciobo - ex trade Minister - pushing for export and export replacement work for six months there's a decent chance it will be far enough along by next March to discourage meddling for political gain.
We wait and see. And hope for success.
oldsig
t68
Well-Known Member
I haven’t found an online source yet but the Australian newspaper says the Australian government may build a base in PNG, to counter Chinese influence . I have not read the story so don’t know details.
Found it behind a paywall, sorry can’t read it.
Nocookies
That headline is a little bit different from the broadsheet copy suggesting Army, but the online version suggesting a naval base.
mods can you move this to the ADF thread please, thank you
I wonder what the NZ perspective is of this somewhere to park the IPV?
There is also an analysis’s of opening naval base on Manus by ASPI, interesting
Benefits for all in Manus being a base for US, Australia forces | Australian Strategic Policy Institute | ASPI
Found it behind a paywall, sorry can’t read it.
Nocookies
That headline is a little bit different from the broadsheet copy suggesting Army, but the online version suggesting a naval base.
mods can you move this to the ADF thread please, thank you
I wonder what the NZ perspective is of this somewhere to park the IPV?
There is also an analysis’s of opening naval base on Manus by ASPI, interesting
Benefits for all in Manus being a base for US, Australia forces | Australian Strategic Policy Institute | ASPI
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Redlands18
Well-Known Member
Put the Base anywhere near Port Moresby and the Personnel will be issued with Weapons and Live Rounds when off Base. The Streets are one of the most dangerous places on Earth for ordinary people.
The streets of Port Moresby are dominated by local gangs called Rascals and they will prey on just about anyone.
The streets of Port Moresby are dominated by local gangs called Rascals and they will prey on just about anyone.
However, HMAS Tarangau was one of the most sought after drafts during its heyday. There are many Attack class crews who’d give their eye teeth to return there.
It is a beautiful island, an idyllic setting whose reputation has been besmirched by the rabid reporting by interest groups opposed to Australia’s stance against illegal boat arrivals.
An enduring RAN presence would do much to promote more harmonious relations with the Manus Islanders, give them work with the resulting economic benefits and repair the damage caused by insensitive and false reports about their island.
The strategic benefit is self evident.
This article appears to be a straight copy paste of the original:
Move to head off China with Australian base in PNG - Vanuatu Independent
Seeadler / HMAS Tarangau is undoubtedly a vitally strategic port, not just to Australian security, but to NZ security as well. IMHO it is of absolute necessity to keep it out of PRC hands, otherwise we could end up with a capable PLA, PLAAF and PLAN facility close to both our homelands. My suggestion would be for joint ADF / NZDF facilities based on the port, along with aid projects in Manus as part of both the COA & NZG Pacific resets.
It does have that possibility along with an RAN patrol boat as well to help the PNG govt monitor it's EEZ. Both vessels could also sail down to the Solomon Islands as well when required, although I think that PNG is more of a concern due to it's instability.
Thanks, yes interesting.
But utterly like them to promise to spend more.
I won't be all that convinced that any politicians promising increased defence expenditure in the lead-up to a general election haee anything more in mind than defending their seats and assaulting those of the opposition. Election run, comes any of the well used excuses.
oldsig
Redlands18
Well-Known Member
The Lib promise was always 2% by 22-23, being slowly building up.
Go back and look at the last 20 years defence expenditure, the norm is that it decreases under a Labor government.
I take anything that Bill Shorten promises with a huge grain of salt, time and again he promises and then fails to deliver.
His words depend on which audience he’s addressing, his deeds are always self interest.
I know a Fillipina Doctor and an diplomat who would argue that while Port Moresby is no doubt dangerous, it is no where near as bad as the media would have us believe.
You do realize that Shorten has never been in power so he has never had the opportunity to deliver? Anyway that sounds like a good description of Turnbull to me.
I am aware that politics do impact upon defence and that they and leadership spills are Australia's number one most favourite sport, but can we please keep them away from here unless they directly relate to a specific issue. Thanks.
t68
Well-Known Member
There is a small article in today”s Sydney DT that DM Christopher Pyne is set to announce a purchase of “more than dozen MQ-9 Reapers to form the ADF 1sr armed UACV Squadron.
Any one heard any announcement?
Just found this
Category: | Herald Sun
Any one heard any announcement?
Just found this
Category: | Herald Sun
Spot on, both sides have done good work and both have made cuts, there have been good, even excellent Defmins on both sides, as well as as complete oxygen thieves. Economic situations drive most (if not all) cuts and strategic direction comes from the enduring side of government, the various departments, with dept finance and dpat often having more say than defence as a whole, let alone the actual services.
Pollies are a diverse collection of individuals who decide on the information provided, guided by advisors who are often no more informed than themselves and more concerned about votes in particular electorates than the strategic outlook or value for money. Their point of view is more along the line of their side needs to be in power to make decisions for the greater good therefore any sacrifices made to stay in power are ultimately worth it.
The only thing that really pisses me off is the politicisation of major projects, distracting the professionals tasked to deliver. Once a decision is made, undermining it for political reasons is BS, just as defending a bad idea because your side came up with it is. Keep politics out of procurement and force structure, by all means look at international relations, alliances, industry and regional development as part of the defence whole, but stop politicking for politics sake.
The “Canberra Times” has reported an interesting development concerning the development of the Greater Sunrise gas tenement in the Timor Sea.
Gusmao is determined to pipe the gas across the Timor Trench, a very dangerous enterprise and likely to ruin his country financially.
The ensuing instability which is almost certain will develop into a strategic nightmare and open an opportunity for the Chinese to our immediate North.
I will watch with interest.
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Gusmao is determined to pipe the gas across the Timor Trench, a very dangerous enterprise and likely to ruin his country financially.
The ensuing instability which is almost certain will develop into a strategic nightmare and open an opportunity for the Chinese to our immediate North.
I will watch with interest.
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buffy9
Well-Known Member
China would likely be interested due to it's need for oil and gas, though Timor is surrounded by American alligned powers in the form of Indonesia and Australia. It is made up of many ethnic groups with a divide already present between the East and West of the country - making it a prime target for foreign influence should any nation oppose it's investment into the country. I see even China as being cautious of investing in the plan.
If Timor does enter into a crisis state then we are likely to see a repeat of the RAMSI operation in Timor with peacekeepers, evacuations, nation building, police and other methods to restore order. A key Australian shipping lane runs between East Timor and the Aru Islands, meaning any intervention would be assured should the nation threaten to become a failed state. Australia is sure to also reinforce it's "Pacific Pivot" in the event of a crisis, as any inaction would result in undermining the plan.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjAAegQIAhAB&usg=AOvVaw0SFa_EpNVqsCWWjVTmzU1L - an example of the kind of crisis thst could evolve from East-West tensions arising again.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...MwDHoECAYQPQ&usg=AOvVaw2TCSid_MAV9buKyJ307mKr - an example of RAMSI like operations.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...BxAB&usg=AOvVaw23OdS_jC8QvFpPyzksdu9N&cf=1 - China's need for POL and LNG currently.
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