ASPI is a think tank? Are you serious?

January 9, 2025

James Curran’s article provides much to consider.

However, I hasten to query why we continue to characterise this organisation as other than what it so evidently is – a lobbying entity for the armament manufacturers / AKA military-industrial complex.

Uniquely (I hope), given the almost automatic post-political career step for ministers for defence into armament manufacturers’ employ — either directly or as a lobbyist — we have the nauseating burden of being the taxpayer support base for the whole wretched affair of creating evermore opportunity for said armament manufacturers to increase profits.

War per se is not actually required, just dog-whistling at an ear piercing level. Of course, war maximises those profits. See also the financial returns for the major protagonist companies just from Israel vs anybody near it or Russia vs Ukraine in the past 24 months.

And both our major political parties jump into step smartly. People should read Curran’s Unholy Fury for an insight into what a genuinely courageous, Australia-centric prime minister did when faced with the situation of Australia having been dragged into a foul and unjust conflict.