Three entirely unrelated bits of information that don’t involve the Eden-Monaro by-election, for which another dedicated post is assuredly not far away (the most recent, and its attendant discussion thread, is here):
• This week’s Essential Research poll looks at indigenous issues and gender equality, finding broadly liberal viewpoints prevailing in each case. On the former count, most agreed that indigenous Australians and Pacific islanders had been “forced to work in Australia in conditions that amounted to slavery”, but 42% agreed that “many of the new cases of Covid-19 in Victoria have been from people who attended the Black Lives Matter protest” compared with 37% who believed it to be false. On gender equality, majorities somehow managed to agree both that there was “still a long way to go” and that it had “already been mostly achieved”, though a lot more emphatically in the former case. Respondents were also asked who got paid too much (bankers and lawyers) and too little (nurses and teachers).
• Tom Richardson of InDaily reports on an imminent package of electoral reform in South Australia, which may include the introduction of optional preferential voting. Labor leader Peter Malinauskas has accused Premier Steven Marshall of a move to “rig the next election”, and invoked the bogey of “the polarisation of our democracy in the way we have seen in the United States”. Malinauskas’s real concern is more likely to do with Greens preferences, the system having raised no such concerns for the Labor governments that introduced them in New South Wales and Queensland, back when its main impact was to weaken intra-Coalition preference flows in three-cornerned contests. The Greens have also declared their opposition, which would leave its upper house fate in the hands of the three survivors of the Nick Xenophon disturbance. The government’s reforms may also include crackdowns on corflutes (which seem to be particularly popular in South Australia) and dissemination of how-to-vote cards at polling booths.
• Justin Hendry of IT News reports the Australian Electoral Commission is looking into a full rollout of the electronic certified list system for marking off voters, which operated at around 10% of polling places at last year’s election. This replaces the more familiar method of paper lists marked off by pencil, which offer no guarantee the prospective voter has not already voted somewhere else beyond the requisite verbal assurance. As such, it can genuinely help prevent multiple voting, unlike a lot of other supposed electoral reforms that are invoked in its name. However, it may also constitute a point of vulnerability to nefarious actors.
The US security relationship has been, and remains, an on-balance thing. Three sets of lists could be prepared:
1. list of all the bad things about the relationship
2. list of all the good things about the relationship.
3. list of both with some commentary on whether, on balance, it has been beneficial or not.
Don’t forget to start your lists in December 1941!
I think the inquiry grounds are too narrow and I would have aimed for an industrial lawyer rather than a family court judge and commissioner
[Victoria has released the details of its inquiry into its hotel quarantine program:
The Honourable Jennifer Coate AO will head it – Justice Coate was previously a commissioner on the royal commission into institutional child sexual abuse.
The inquiry will begin promptly and will examine a range of matters including:
• decisions and actions of government agencies, hotel operators and private contractors
• communication between government agencies, hotel operators and private contractors
• contractual arrangements
• information, guidance, training and equipment provided to staff in hotels
• policies, protocols and procedures]
boerwar
Other countries have bought Australia up already, that’s why we don’t make anything.
There is no point in a Defense policy, especially when we have government that is hasn’t got a clue, and USA has far from a stable (I call it illegally insane asylum government).
Buce
The point is she is a victim. A victim of defamation.
She did not take her claims public. She had the sense to not go rushing to the media.
The court case made her a victim by dragging her into the public eye.
Rush was the major victim as the target of the article. That does not mean she was not turned into a victim of the article being published.
It was not in her control.
C@tmomma @ #90 Thursday, July 2nd, 2020 – 8:31 am
Not wanting to start an argument, but drunken Aussie tourists don’t exactly endear themselves to the world either.
Aussies (and Kiwis) are kept in a separate enclosure away from other tourist, guests and locals at the Oktoberfest in Germany. Why that is is no secret.
If you replaced the word Australia in your final sentence with Bali or Thailand or anywhere else for the matter, and the words Brit tourists with Aussie tourists, the same would ring true.
With backpackers the trick is to avoid crowds of them. As individuals or small groups they’re usually pretty good fun, but crowds are a no-no. The same applies to most types of people though. By themselves they’re probably ordinary decent people but in a mob the should be avoided.
Because, when you listen to fools…..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTxSNosJrDo
Rakalisays:
Thursday, July 2, 2020 at 12:59 pm
“You think the 550 dead young Australians in the failed USA War in Vietnam was the sign of a “successful relationship” for Australia ;
You think the USA refusal to to support Australia and Netherlands and stop the Indonesian take over of West Papua in 1962/3 was the sign of a “successful relationship” for Australia;
You think the USA “Free” Trade Agreement signed by Howard and implemented in 2004 which did much, overwhelmingly to the USA’s advantage to Integrate Australia more closely with US America politically, economically, legally and culturally was the sign of a “successful relationship” for Australia.”
If that is the type of thing that you focus on then I pity your poor sodding life.
Australia is one of the most successful countries in the world since WWII by any measure that you want to make. That’s why millions wish to come and live here. And that has been achieved partly as a result of our successful long-term relationship with the US. If you don’t agree with me then perhaps have a chat with Kim Beasley.
Bucephalus @ #237 Thursday, July 2nd, 2020 – 12:49 pm
He’s mundo. And he’s here to help. The Liberals. So, yes, it’s easy to see why you found it amusing.
The irony is lost on most folk that argue for a more independent Australian Foreign policy: given our continent, surrounded by 3 out of the 5 oceans in the world and with the 21st century geopolitical hotspot to our immediate north, a more independent stance will require an additional Defence spending increase – over and above what both sides of politics have already committed to.
In short, independence, whilst protecting our strategic interests, would require the acquisition of:
Two fleet aircraft carriers – the cheapest (and best) option would be ‘Queen Elisabeth Class’ carriers that would cost $A15 billion for two. Plus another $A15 billion for 90 strong fleet f35Bs, plus 10 Osprey tilt lift planes as Air refuellers and resupply aircraft (another $2 billion);
Plus another 6 AWDs (taking the fleet from 3 ships to 9) and 6 Hunter class frigates (taking the planned size of the fleet of large frigates from 9 to 15) to protect our carrier strike forces ($36 billion right there);
Plus retaining and extending the lifespan of our Anzac small (110M long) frigate fleet to act as a capability bridge between our large frigates/AWD and our offshore patrol boat class. Even with a life extension of a decade, we’d need to build another 8-12 small frigates starting no later than 2035 …
Plus another two supply-tankers;
Plus another 250 Armed reconnaissance Boxers;
Plus 1000 off ‘Lynx’ tracked IFVs/medium battle tanks;
Plus doubling our artillery howitzers so that our army reserves have something more than morters;
Plus 6 nuclear attack subs (may as well go with the French Suffren class ‘barracuda’ designs, given we are seemingly locked into 12 of the diesel variants). Probably a $50 billion program, even if we get the supplier to do the long term sustainment offshore (which we would have to given our lack of a nuclear industry and Nimbyism to anything nuclear);
Plus expanding the size of the ADF personnel by about 30% over a 15 year period.
In short, pushing defence spending north of 3% of GNP.
While I advocate for a more Independent foreign policy: one that is skeptical of both China and America’s motives and actions, one that is friendly and engaged with both, but allied (like France, Canada and NZ are allied) with America (just not totally embedded with Uncle Sam). However I recognise the price tag and I am prepared for us to pay our way.
Defense.
My problem is we are trying to fight the last war, and it was a long time ago.
The next round will be fought by drones. We should be working out how to build them, not spending a few billions buying a token amount from the USA.
Franklin war; she might have had to threaten to drop a nuclear bomb on the place but rumor has it the France gave up the disabling code for the exocet missile. Is that the sort of gear we really want.
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/a7w24r/did_mitterand_give_thatcher_codes_to_disable/
https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-17256975
If i was running the inquiry i would start with Mikakos and work downwards from there.
All these warmongers and their ordinance obsessions. Australia could be defended by the astute placement of New Age crystals. Anything else is a waste of money and the pandering to military fetishists.
AE
I agree with you. I am willing to see the money spent so we can defend ourselves and our shipping routes.
Note I disagree on needing nuclear powered vessels and nuclear missiles.
Of course your point is why the Utopia episode is appropriate.
We need to be serious about our defence and being independent.
Not have marketing announcements from a Prime Minister when a by election is happening
Some deep regrets coming up in a few decades.
…………………………………………………………..
2m ago
13:20
Industry Super has put out a release saying almost half a million under-35s have taken out their entire super balance in the early withdrawal scheme.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2020/jul/02/coronavirus-australia-live-victoria-lockdown-melbourne-hotspot-suburbs-map-latest-updates
“ The next round will be fought by drones.”
Maybe in 30 to 50 years time. Between now and then there will be a steady evolution from manned to unmanned platforms. It’s happening now. ‘Fusion’ technology and defence philosophy is what binds it all together and is the bridge from now to then. Luckily, nearly all our big ticket defence purchases have this in mind.
It’s going to take some time for the US to repair its position in the world order….and most likely it’s not possible for things to “go back” to the way they were. For one thing, China has become far more assertive and has made many gains. For another, Russia has strengthened its position in Asia and the Med, while the EU has learned the US cannot be relief on.
The US itself is divided. It may decide that playing world leader is not in its interests. It could become more isolationist – and that would be consistent with its history – rather than less.
Australia is not assured of peace, security and protection. We have to work for these both within and apart from our reliance on the US. This cannot mean disarmament. It must mean increasing all our commitments – military, technological, diplomatic, political and economic. This is a matter of national self-determination in a context of regional competition and global uncertainty.
More pain for Trump: a New York appellate court has given his niece’s book the okay to be released.
“ Not have marketing announcements from a Prime Minister when a by election is happening”
Quite. These ‘Announceables’ are largely a rehash (or at best an update) of decisions made going back to the 2009 defence white paper. They are targeted at the Queanbeyan end of Eden Monaro which has a large ADF population and some industry.
The long range missile announcement is a classic example. We have had stand off cruise missiles for both our super hornets and classic hornets for two decades. The new ones are simply an evolution of an existing capability. Welcome (especially the stockpile) but hardly newsworthy …
Trust Guytaur to point fingers on incorrect facts:
● FACT: Norvill did not go “the official route”. She had lunch with someone from the office, who then blabbed to the Tele’s gossip columnist, without Norvill’s knowledge or permission.
● FACT: When asked to co-operate in the story, pre-publication, Norvill refused.
● FACT: In the most expensive (for the Tele and all concerned) defamation case in Australian history, all of Rush’s witnesses were found to be reliable. However, both Norvill and a Male co-actor who backed her up were found to be UN-reliable witnesses. The male actor in particular was a mess of contradictions once the video of the rehearsal in question was played in court, showing that what he alleged Rush did to Norvill was physically impossible and did not happen.
The very best interpretation on the original alleged incidents is that Norvill was confused about what constituted “groping”, and about Rush’s intent, and sought guidance on it from her more senior colleague. The result of that conversation may be why she didn’t pursue the matter in the first place with the STC, and refused to co-operate with the Tele’s gossip columnist.
Even later on, when she gave sworn evidence, the judge found her and her friend’s accounts unreliable and contradictory.
She had alleged a conspiracy to lie under oath by the entire acting and production staff of the STC, as well as by Rush himself, as well as not being able to get her own story straight.
It became a farce and led the Tele to waste a fortune, then be found liable for unprecedented damages because of their defending Rush’s defamation action.
Why Norvill changed her mind and testified, when she had refused point blank to be involved previously, is officially a mystery.
frednk says:
Thursday, July 2, 2020 at 1:15 pm
Complete and utter rubbish about the Exocets.
C
Being allies with our neighbours is a great first step.
It will mean after spending on that defence infrastructure required we don’t have to use it.
Being seen as independent from the US is likely to mean those strategic friendships are more likely. As long as we are not caught bugging negotiations of course.
BB
You are blaming a victim.
Blabbing to a friend in private is not running to the media.
Your foundation point is wrong.
Edit: When I use the word victim I am referring to the publication of allegations not making a judgement about the credibility of the allegations in any way.
Australia “makes” lots of things. But we don’t make or export a lot of diverse manufactures….mostly because of the exchange rate and because of the decline generally in the growth rate of global trade in manufactured products.
The problems of manufacturing have been solved hundreds of times in thousands of places. That’s been done without Australia because of terms-of-trade factors.
We should move on. Manufacturing and making money at the same time is very hard. Very, very hard. There are other other things.
Andrew_Earlwoodsays:
Thursday, July 2, 2020 at 1:28 pm
I really don’t think the ADF personnel in EM would be that “excited” about the announcement. It’s not a change in strategy.
More Moir:
Donald Trump’s re-election campaign selling T-shirts with ‘Nazi’-like symbol
Donald Trump’s re-election campaign has been roasted online for selling T-shirts bearing a symbol that is disconcertingly familiar.
The similarity between the two symbols has not escaped notice on social media, with some people accusing the Trump campaign of adopting Nazi imagery.
The symbol in question appears on a product called the “America First Tee” which retails for $US30. There’s a male and female version of the T-shirt.
It features the words “America First” above an image of an eagle with its wings spread and its talons gripping a circular version of the American flag.
The eagle is not usually shown in this position though, and for good reason.
The Nazis used a symbol called the Reichsadler – Imperial Eagle, in English – as Germany’s official national insignia after an edict from Adolf Hitler in 1935.
The Reichsadler featured an eagle with its wings spread, and its talons clutching a circular wreath with a swastika inside.
My favourite reaction came from General Michael Hayden, a former director of the CIA, who simply tweeted: “Holy sh*t.”
https://www.news.com.au/finance/donald-trumps-reelection-campaign-selling-tshirts-with-nazilike-symbol/news-story/91d970752c05b06247b7657fd7034a51
And these submarines are the worst purchase of all time. THey will spend more than half their lifetime being made seaworthy for a few months at a time. FLoating around an empty plastic ocean listening to obsolete Indonesian frequencies.
“ Note I disagree on needing nuclear powered vessels and nuclear missiles.”
I oppose nuclear weapons. Period.
I have traditionally been against nuclear powered vessels as well. Largely because traditionally powered vessels can ‘do the job’ as well or better than the nuclear option. Cheaper as well. Especially when we don’t have a real nuclear industry. Also avoids needless ‘Cultcha Wars’ with the Greens and Woke over nuclear.
However, I’ve come to the conclusion that we need force projection via fleet carriers and ergo we need a submarine fleet that can keep up with a carrier fleet for a sustained period of deployment. The ‘small’ (100M long) nuclear variant Barracuda class seem perfect for this. They can be based on Christmas Island (away from the mainland Nimbies) and sustained out of Toulon in France.
guytaur says:
Thursday, July 2, 2020 at 1:29 pm
C
Being seen as independent from the US is likely to mean those strategic friendships are more likely.
On what basis do you suppose this to be true?
The actual facts are that Australia’s relationship with the US makes us a better friend to our regional neighbours.
nath says:
Thursday, July 2, 2020 at 1:35 pm
“And these submarines are the worst purchase of all time. THey will spend more than half their lifetime being made seaworthy for a few months at a time. FLoating around an empty plastic ocean listening to obsolete Indonesian frequencies.”
I do have some concerns about the contract timing and the unconfirmed use of a jet propulsion system.
Your claims are based on what facts?
BB: “The story was one of the most ridiculous, unnecessary, and malignant instances of persecution by a newspaper that regards itself as immune from censure as could be imagined.”
You forgot to mention the text messages. And, of course, the exclusion of Yael Stone’s evidence.
How is Defence going to pay for Defence?
Loans?
Time and tide – yesterday was the GST’s 20th birthday. Time flies and all that. For all the sound and fury, within a couple of years, especially after the following election in 2001, it became part of the furniture. No one gives it a second thought.
Possibly in a parallel universe yesterday is also the 10th anniversary of the CPRS. Again, assuming that Rudd or Gillard had won the election later in 2010, carbon pricing would probably long have long been part of the furniture by now.
boerwar: “Perhaps Hunt wants everyone to forget that he fingered BLM for the spike in Victorian infections? That one is past its use by is it?”
That comment wasn’t any stupider than many of the ridiculous defences of the Victorian stuff-up that have been attempted on PB today.
Trump now saying ‘all for masks’ except for him self.
Re drones
I watch the engineering ads dealing with AI and vision because I have some experience in the area. I have no doubt so do the spooks, so I am not pointing out anything that they don’t know. There is some sort of Australian development going on, I hope that is fully funded and it is not the case of destroying our future so boys can buy useless toys that would have been really nice 50 years ago.
I would say drone warfare has already started, look no further than recent events in the middle east.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50742224
Fulvio Sammut: “Your attempt to associate him with having somehow disparaged the woman concerned is disingenuous and despicable.”
Huh? All I did was try to remind BB that, in his enthusiastic celebration of the defeat of the appeal by DT, that we all need to consider that there is another victim in this case.
The ADF should be all but scrapped. Its suitable members and equipment transferred into a new Humanitarian response agency. Perhaps a battalion of infantry for ceremonial purposes. They could wear funny hats as an appeasement to warmongers who above all love fancy dress and a bit of pomp.
She was not subpoenaed. She volunteered to testify.
All she had to say in court was that, upon reflection, she realised she had misinterpreted Rush’s actions.
Which was ultimately found to be the truth anyway, and found as such in an unssailably proper legal manner on appeal, via a unanimous Full Court finding on all grounds.
I know you’re attracted to the idea that rapists and sexual molesters are under every rock, Guytaur, and that the world is full of innocent young gels who have to fight off the unwanted attentions of dirty old men on a daily basis, but on this one, Innocent Young Gelhood lost.
Probably because it never happened. There IS always that possibility, you know.
guytaur: thanks. You got what I was on about. I wasn’t trying to attack BB.
Christmas Island? Bit close to Indonesia and logistically challenging. Fleetbase West or even Adelaide would be suitable but if you want to avoid the NIMBY thing then Exmouth or Carnarvon might be ok although the Married Patch would be a hell hole and the singlies would go mad.
“ And these submarines are the worst purchase of all time.”
Maybe. Maybe not. We just don’t know whether the concept will work. The drive system (which is the technology jump that won the French the contract) is signed for a nuclear powered electrics system. It is unknown whether that concept is fit for purpose with a diesel generated electric system.
Plus, we won’t know until after the capability gap with what we need and what our now excellent Collins class Subs well and truly opens up by about 2028.
That’s why the Liberal government fucked up with not going with a thyssenkrupp-ASC-Kokkums ‘evolved’ Collins design (based on the U214) back in 2015.
“THey will spend more than half their lifetime being made seaworthy for a few months at a time.”
That’s the nature of submarining. Subs operate in 3s. One is deployed. One is readying for deployment and one is in maintenance. Whilst it is possible to surge the whole fleet for brief periods (and since 2012 5 out of 6 Collins class subs have been available at all times), the reality is that the fleet can only be sustainably deployed on a rotational basis.
‘FLoating around an empty plastic ocean listening to obsolete Indonesian frequencies.”
There is a lot more to it than that.
buce: “The only problem with that claim is that the facts of the case demonstrated that she had no basis for making her claims and that’s why the action was successful so she is not a victim.”
Remembering of course that some alleged facts were excluded from the original hearing (and similarly excluded by the appeals court, seemingly on the basis that the judge wouldn’t have been available to hear them: grounds I must confess I don’t entirely understand).
C
Being friends and independent is very different to being seen as a “deputy sheriff”
Mavis @ #265 Thursday, July 2nd, 2020 – 1:25 pm
Next cab off the rank, the Trump Tax Returns?
Love the Thai ceremonial guard. We could consult with Versace and come up with something similar.
“ Christmas Island? Bit close to Indonesia and logistically challenging. Fleetbase West or even Adelaide would be suitable but if you want to avoid the NIMBY thing then Exmouth or Carnarvon might be ok although the Married Patch would be a hell hole and the singlies would go mad.”
Agreed, but wherever the base is, I envisage it would be crewed on a ‘fly in, fly out’ basis to avoid the relationship problems you mention.
Bucephalus says:
Thursday, July 2, 2020 at 1:28 pm
frednk says:
Thursday, July 2, 2020 at 1:15 pm
Complete and utter rubbish about the Exocets.
They did sink a ship and they did stop coming. As to why I will for sure never know.
BB
Be very careful.
You might open William up to defamation.
I will say it slowly and clearly for you again.
Saying the woman is a victim of the daily tele publication too is NOT commenting on the allegations.
That is absolutely no pointing of fingers at Geoffrey Rush as you are trying to allege by inference
nath @ #294 Thursday, July 2nd, 2020 – 1:47 pm
And that’s as close as you’ll get to Thailand for the foreseeable.
Perhaps Hunt wants everyone to forget that he fingered BLM for the spike in Victorian infections.
So, what does he do?
He calls for the harshest possible punishment of the gig guards.