Politics
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The Defence Strategic Review as strategic theology
Even though the Defence Strategic Review is not scheduled to be delivered until March next year the circumstances in which it is embedded suggest that it is already a compromised document. If the intelligence and strategic assessments which inform it are not made public – and the indications are that this will be the case Continue reading »
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NSW Inquiry into Trade Commissioner appointment has lessons beyond NSW
The former NSW Public Service Commissioner, Graeme Head, provided the Premier with a most carefully considered report on the processes leading to John Barilaro’s appointment as Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner. Continue reading »
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Provoking China is dangerous for Australia as a US proxy: former Australian official
Editor’s Note: After the Anthony Albanese government took office, there are voices from both China and Australia saying that it is time for China-Australia relations to reset, and there are some signs of thawing. To what extent will Australia continue to follow the US in provoking China? Continue reading »
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A public postal bank is a win-win solution for Australia’s economy and people
A public forum in Parliament House on 7 September demonstrated the growing political appetite in Australia for a national post office bank that can serve communities and force the Big Four banks to compete. Continue reading »
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The Defence Strategic Review: Understanding Australia’s existing defence capability is critical
At this time, Australia should be able to rely on its own defence of the nation’s sea and air approaches, operating from infrastructure here. We have no reason to require US armed intervention for our security. That is a significant milestone coming after some fifty years of single-minded capital and activity programs. An example of Continue reading »
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The Defence Strategic Review: How not to think about security
In both Australia and China strategic debates are dominated by specialists with similar views, a situation epitomised by the forthcoming Defence Strategic Review. A fixation with traditional threats wastes resources, increases the risk of conflict, and makes addressing the immediate danger posed by climate change even more difficult. Continue reading »
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Russia’s underperforming military- the same as the US military with disaster after disaster
In Washington, wide agreement exists that the Russian army’s performance in the Kremlin’s ongoing Ukraine “special military operation” ranks somewhere between lousy and truly abysmal. The question is: Why? The answer in American policy circles, both civilian and military, appears all but self-evident. Continue reading »
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Sleepwalk to war: Another view
In Sleepwalk to War (Quarterly Essay Issue 86), Hugh White explores the potential responses of America and Australia to the growing strength of China. The latest Quarterly Essay (Issue 87) contains nine comments on Hugh White’s essay. Like White, all the commentators discuss the issues from the viewpoint of Australia and America. Continue reading »
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Long live Democracy: We must reject Charles as “King of Australia”
The Governor-General has asked Australian citizens to be obedient to the ‘King of Australia’. Charles is not my ‘King’. I recognise the Parliament and the High Court as our highest legal authority. Let’s put the frivolity of fairy tales and princesses to one side. It’s time for an Australian Republic. Continue reading »
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Personality and power in Brazil’s elections
Brazil has the largest population and economy in South America and is a member of BRICS. It is as important to the continent as Indonesia is to South-East Asia. Brazil’s national elections will be on 2 October. Elections will select the President, the Congress, a third of the Senate, State Governors and State Legislatures. If Continue reading »
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The Defence Strategic Review: The Hollywood version of ANZUS
It is highly unlikely that China would threaten Australian territory unless we become enmeshed in containment by the US. Continue reading »
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Weekly roundup and how Ida Buttrose reverted to her Women’s Weekly role
Weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy. Continue reading »
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The demarcations and restrictive work force practices in our health ‘system’ are a public scandal
Our eighteenth century health workforce structure needs a root and branch overhaul. But governments are too frightened to tackle health providers like doctors and pharmacists. Blue collar workers however are easy prey. Continue reading »
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It is time to question the US alliance
The US wars for the most part have been concocted on lies, illegally declared, and mostly lost. Continue reading »
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The West fought a proxy war against Russia in Ukraine 100 years ago and failed
One hundred years ago, a Western proxy war against Russia had just been lost. It was fought in Poland, Ukraine and in Russia. That war has lessons for us today. Continue reading »
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What Philippines’ Marcos Jnr can learn from Singapore and Indonesia about balancing ties with China, US
“With respect to our place in the community of nations, the Philippines shall continue to be a friend to all. And an enemy to none,” declared President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, in his first state-of-the-nation address. “We will be a good neighbour – always looking for ways to collaborate and cooperate with the end goal of mutually Continue reading »
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Caitlin Johnstone: Ukraine crawling with CIA & Co
The previously unthinkable idea that the U.S. is at war with Russia has been gradually normalised, with the heat turned up so slowly that the frog doesn’t notice it’s being boiled alive. Continue reading »
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The Defence Strategic Review – We are becoming a proxy or is it a patsy for the US in a possible conflict with China
The Defence Strategic Review must warn Minister Marles about the dangerous path he is committing Australia to. We are becoming a spear carrier for the US. Continue reading »
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Labor, Palestinian statehood and the UN General Assembly
With the ALP platform now formally supporting Palestinian statehood the Albanese government soon faces a tricky question. When the UN General Assembly convenes in mid-September (UNGA 77) will Australia put its vote(s) on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict where its declared policy is? Continue reading »
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Queenly saturation
Turn on the television. Move to the screen. Switch on the device – if you ever left it off. Queen Elizabeth II may have passed, but she is everywhere in very lively fashion, a spectral manifestation that has utterly controlled large chunks of a transfixed global media system. Continue reading »
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Murdoch, the Prince/King and conspiracy theories
There is set to be some anxiety in monarchist groups in the community as they reconcile the ascent of King Charles III to the throne with their fear. Even in educated hard right circles like The Spectator Australia’s readership, conspiracy theories about him are evident. Continue reading »
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Symon Hill: ‘Who elected him’ and the arrest that followed
I was arrested after asking “who elected him?” at the proclamation of King Charles. “What other freedoms can be suppressed in the name of monarchy? Who else will be arrested under the vile Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act?” Continue reading »
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The Defence Strategic Review: Can we rely on the US?
Strategy: ‘a plan designed to achieve a particular long-term aim’. The strategic defence review is presumably intended to produce a plan that will guide decisions by the new Labor government on the acquisition of weapons and the use of other resources (such as people) to protect Australia against future threats to its people, its territory Continue reading »
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Prince Charles and John Kerr – the odd pair in PNG planning the dismissal of Gough Whitlam-A repost
In the heat of early spring 1975 in the New Guinea highlands, the Governor General, Sir John Kerr sidled up to Prince Charles and suggested a quiet chat. Their topic? The possible dismissal of the Prime Minister. Continue reading »
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The need for a social contract to create voter trust
What happened to sustainable democracy’s social contract? Continue reading »
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China is muscling Indonesia but not with war threats
Unlike Australians, Indonesians don’t fear war with China. Their concerns are more prosaic – debt, work and the virus of atheism. Continue reading »
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The Defence Strategic Review and the received wisdom about the China threat and US support
We cannot assume that other countries will do anything but put their own interests before those of others and we must do the same. Continue reading »
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Prince Philip and Gough Whitlam: the story The Crown forgot. A socialist arsehole- A Repost
As Gough Whitlam put it- ‘I am the first prime minister since Sir Robert Menzies who … has been able to survive a second visit from Prince Phillip’. The long-standing consort described Whitlam as ‘a socialist arsehole’ Continue reading »
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The major parties refuse to tackle the lobbying scourge. Can the Teals and the Greens save the day?
The major obstacle to lobbying reform is that for members of parliament, their staff and senior officials, lobbying provides a very lucrative income when they leave parliament, the military or the public service. So they refuse to act on the lobbying scourge. Continue reading »
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The other side of Elizabeth II’s reign: How to profit from plunder while disclaiming responsibility
Reactions to the death of Queen Elizabeth II from victims of atrocities during her reign were less than warm. Did the British Crown derive profits of plunder yet disclaim responsibility for colonisation, they asked? The Westminster shroud, in this regard, is thick indeed, a layer of forced exculpation. Continue reading »
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