/qnotables22/ - ===Q Notables 2022===

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17449678 (271104ZAUG22) Notable: Video: Shaquille O'Neal joins PM as Anthony Albanese says 'world is watching' Voice to Parliament debate - The Prime Minister has enlisted the support of NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal in calling for constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians and a Voice to Parliament

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>>125733

Shaquille O'Neal joins PM as Anthony Albanese says 'world is watching' Voice to Parliament debate

Matthew Doran - 27 August 2022

The Prime Minister has enlisted the support of NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal in calling for constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians and a Voice to Parliament.

Anthony Albanese praised O'Neal after meeting with the basketball great in Sydney on Saturday morning, highlighting his work "in the United States about social justice and lifting people up who are marginalised".

"He knows that we're a warm and generous people," Mr Albanese said.

"And he wanted to inform himself about what this debate was about."

The Prime Minister argued the world was watching the debate in Australia about recognition of First Nations people.

"I just believe that it will send a really positive message to the world about our maturity as a nation," Mr Albanese said.

The Prime Minister, along with Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney, presented O'Neal with a boomerang handmade by First Nations artist Josh Evans, and two jerseys from Mr Albanese's beloved South Sydney Rabbitohs.

"I'm here in your country, whatever you need from me, just let me know," O'Neal said.

"We all know Shaq loves Australia."

More stars to be enlisted in support of Voice

Mr Albanese said the federal government would enlist the support of sporting codes and stars to spread the referendum message through the community, noting he had already had discussions with the AFL, NRL, basketball and netball organisations.

Whether O'Neal's involvement in the cause will sway any voters remained to be seen, according to Ms Burney.

"We need to build-broad based support across the country for a referendum change," Ms Burney said.

"It's not easy in Australia — we all know that — and I think having Shaquille O'Neal as part of a campaign is important, but it is also extremely important that we build support across the community.

"It was just so wonderful to meet him and to see that there is international interest from people like Mr O'Neal in relation to the project, the nation-building project we have underway, about the referendum."

The Prime Minister conceded there were genuine concerns about the referendum campaign being derailed by divisive and racist commentary.

"But the truth is that inappropriate comments have been a feature, unfortunately … towards Indigenous people over a long period of time," Mr Albanese said.

"And I think some of the comments that have been made about this debate are ill-advised.

"But it's also such an opportunity to bring the country together, such an opportunity for unity going forward."

Some critics have taken aim at the Voice proposal, arguing the decision to leave the design of the body to parliament means the Australian public will not know the full details of what they are voting for at the time of the referendum.

"The Uluru statement was very specific and clear about this — it will be the parliament that will make the final decisions about the way in which the Voice will look and what its functions would be," Ms Burney said.

"It will not usurp the parliament.

"It will be an advisory body only, and it will be a body that is enshrined in the constitution."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-27/shaquille-o-neal-anthony-albanese-voice-to-parliament/101379246

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/17449685 (271105ZAUG22) Notable: ‘We need to be a porcupine’: Marles says Australia must project lethal force - Australia must turn itself into a “porcupine” island fortified with enough lethal weaponry to deter an attack from a hostile rival, Defence Minister Richard Marles has warned in a stark illustration of the dangerous strategic environment the nation faces

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‘We need to be a porcupine’: Marles says Australia must project lethal force

Matthew Knott - August 27, 2022

Australia must turn itself into a “porcupine” island fortified with enough lethal weaponry to deter an attack from a hostile rival, Defence Minister Richard Marles has warned in a stark illustration of the dangerous strategic environment the nation faces.

Marles also said he was open to nations such as Japan and New Zealand joining the AUKUS partnership with the United States and United Kingdom, even though he does not envisage other nations acquiring nuclear-powered submarine technology like Australia.

“We need to make sure that our Defence Force is potent, that it is capable. We need to make Australia a difficult proposition for any adversary,” Marles said in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

“In that context, we need to be a porcupine.”

The term “porcupine” is most frequently used to describe Taiwan and the idea it should be festooned with enough high-grade weaponry to dissuade China from trying to seize control of the autonomous island.

Marles said a key mission of the snap strategic Defence Force review he announced earlier this month was to ensure Australia could project enough lethal force to defend itself against an attack by a would-be aggressor.

As well as the long-range nuclear submarines that will be delivered under the AUKUS pact, he pointed to the possible acquisition of hypersonic missiles that can be fired thousands of kilometres.

Marles was speaking en route to Darwin where he visited Project Pitch Black, a major air force training exercise involving 17 countries including Australia, the US, France, Germany, Japan and Singapore.

China was pointedly not invited to join the exercises.

Asked about a proposal by John Bolton, Donald Trump’s former national security adviser, for Japan to join the AUKUS partnership as a bulwark against growing Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific, Marles said: “I think we’re open-minded about that in time, but the focus now is bedding down the relationship between the three countries in this space so that we’ve actually created something meaningful.

“I think we need to start there in order to create something that might be of interest to other countries.”

Marles said fellow “Five Eyes” intelligence sharing nations such as Canada and New Zealand would be obvious candidates to join an expanded AUKUS partnership in the future, even if they are extremely unlikely to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.

As Australia’s fleet of nuclear-powered submarines is not expected to arrive from either the US or UK until the 2040s, Marles said it was crucial to ensure Australia was not left without sufficient underwater firepower.

A separate review, due to report in March, will examine whether the life-cycle of Australia’s current fleet of Collins-class vessels can be extended long enough to fill the capability gap.

“My mind is very open, but we need to do whatever necessary to plug the capability gap until the next-generation submarines enter the water,” Marles said. “We know extending the life of Collins will form a part of that.”

The review will also recommend whether Australia will acquire the US-made Virginia-class nuclear submarines or British-built Astute-class vessels.

Even as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine extends beyond six months, Marles said the Australian government would continue to support the Ukrainian war effort with substantial military and financial aid.

“We support and we stand with Ukraine,” Marles said.

“We are engaged in the conflict because it is very relevant to our national interests. The global rules-based order matters everywhere.

“It matters that it be upheld in Eastern Europe and the Indo-Pacific: that’s why we’re supporting Ukraine, notwithstanding the fact it is a long way from Australia.”

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/we-need-to-be-a-porcupine-marles-says-australia-must-project-lethal-force-20220826-p5bd3x.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18046171 (310917ZDEC22) Notable: Kevin Rudd Tweet (2021): Unbelievable that Murdoch media would publish this outrageous cartoon of President Biden calling him “Creepy Joe” - and for what reason? Then suggesting he’s controlled by a non-existent organisation - “Antifa”. All QAnon crap. #MurdochRoyalCommission

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Kevin Rudd Tweets

This is a physical attack on the institutions of democracy by a far right mob.All because of extremist statements by political leaders attacking the legal results of a democratic election,echoed faithfully by a cancerous far right media.This affects us all

https://twitter.com/MrKRudd/status/1346913554117525509

https://archive.ph/DaUHy

Pro-Trump mob storms Capitol as former DC police chief denounces 'coup attemp'

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2021/jan/06/georgia-election-latest-news-senate-ossoff-warnock-democrats-republicans-trump-biden

—

Unbelievable that Murdoch media would publish this outrageous cartoon of President Biden calling him “Creepy Joe” - and for what reason? Then suggesting he’s controlled by a non-existent organisation - “Antifa”. All QAnon crap. #MurdochRoyalCommission

https://twitter.com/MrKRudd/status/1352905036305637377

https://archive.ph/iI7Sz

Gold Coast Bulletin, January 22 2021 - Page 23

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18046179 (310921ZDEC22) Notable: Kevin Rudd Tweet (2021): Video: In America, the Murdoch media continues to support a QAnon congresswoman who is notorious for her racist, antisemitic nonsense. The lesson for Australia? Murdoch will back bigger fruitcakes than Craig Kelly if he thinks there’s money and power to be gained

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>>129588

Kevin Rudd Tweets

Murdoch has zero interest in stopping dangerous far-right extremism. He sees QAnon as just another marketing tool to sucker people into his parallel universe where he can take their money and tell them how to vote. #MurdochRoyalCommission

https://twitter.com/MrKRudd/status/1357519643410272256

https://archive.ph/sGLEq

Tucker Carlson defended QAnon and said attacks on it were part of a government plot to control people's minds

The Fox News host Tucker Carlson on Monday defended the QAnon conspiracy-theory movement, whose adherents groundlessly believe that Donald Trump is planning a purge of child-abusing Democrats who run the world.

https://www.businessinsider.com.au/fox-news-tucker-carlson-defends-qanon-conspiracy-theory-movement-2021-1

—

In America, the Murdoch media continues to support a QAnon congresswoman who is notorious for her racist, antisemitic nonsense. The lesson for Australia? Murdoch will back bigger fruitcakes than Craig Kelly if he thinks there’s money and power to be gained

https://twitter.com/MrKRudd/status/1357556909650243584

https://archive.ph/76u1O

Fringe-Watching: Marjorie Taylor Greene

From The Daily Show

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18046186 (310923ZDEC22) Notable: Kevin Rudd Tweet (2021): Great speech by Chris Bowen on Morrison and his close personal relationship with an activist from QAnon - the far right, extremist, religious conspiracy group that stormed the US Capitol.

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>>129588

Chris Bowen Tweet

Qanon is a conspiracy driven cult. And the Prime Minister has serious questions to answer. Watch my brief speech in Parliament

https://twitter.com/Bowenchris/status/1404673224638550018

https://archive.ph/IvmTH

—

Kevin Rudd Tweet

Great speech by Chris Bowen on Morrison and his close personal relationship with an activist from QAnon - the far right, extremist, religious conspiracy group that stormed the US Capitol.

https://twitter.com/MrKRudd/status/1404718885220151306

https://archive.ph/Ztyfi

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18046189 (310926ZDEC22) Notable: Kevin Rudd Tweet (2021): Video: Could you imagine any other Australian PM refusing to answer questions about inviting an extreme, far-right religious cultist to Kirribilli House? What about accepting his help to write a speech to parliament? His own family reported him to the National Security Hotline.

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>>129588

Kevin Rudd Tweet

Morrison has questions to answer on his personal relationship with a leading activist of the same extremist religious/conspiracy group that stormed the US Capitol. His wife worked for Morrison.His family have reported him to the National Security Hotline

https://twitter.com/MrKRudd/status/1404418922787446784

https://archive.ph/Yptjm

QAnon follower Tim Stewart's an old friend of Scott Morrison. His family reported him to the national security hotline

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-14/qanon-follower-old-friend-scott-morrison-stewart-family-speaks/100125156

https://archive.ph/BdiY9

—

Kevin Rudd Tweet

Could you imagine any other Australian PM refusing to answer questions about inviting an extreme, far-right religious cultist to Kirribilli House? What about accepting his help to write a speech to parliament? His own family reported him to the National Security Hotline.

https://twitter.com/MrKRudd/status/1405070098008711169

https://archive.ph/1Hl4j

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18046192 (310929ZDEC22) Notable: Kevin Rudd Tweet (2021): Premier Andrews is right to call out Morrison's offensive courting of political extremists at the expense of ordinary law-abiding Australians. Whether it's far-right radicals, anti-vaxxers or the QAnon cult. Just appalling.

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>>129588

Kevin Rudd Tweet

Premier Andrews is right to call out Morrison's offensive courting of political extremists at the expense of ordinary law-abiding Australians. Whether it's far-right radicals, anti-vaxxers or the QAnon cult. Just appalling.

https://twitter.com/MrKRudd/status/1461569968214974466

https://archive.ph/q81hH

Prime Minister's War Of Words

From The Today Show

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18046199 (310932ZDEC22) Notable: Q Post #2576 - Those with the most to lose are the loudest. Those who 'knowingly' broke the law in a coordinated effort [treason] are the most vocal. Crimes against Humanity. Q - https://qanon.pub/#2576

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>>129588

Kevin Rudd Tweet

Donald Trump is a traitor to the West. Murdoch was Trump’s biggest backer. And Murdoch’s Fox Television backs Putin too. What rancid treachery.

https://twitter.com/MrKRudd/status/1497863031497564161

https://archive.ph/gbMyl

Trump defends praise of Putin, makes strongest hint yet of a run for president in 2024

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/02/26/trump-2024/

—

Q Post #2576

Dec 10 2018 15:24:28 (EST)

https://twitter.com/SamanthaJPower/status/1071755419499069441

Those with the most to lose are the loudest.

Those who 'knowingly' broke the law in a coordinated effort [treason] are the most vocal.

Crimes against Humanity.

Q

https://qanon.pub/#2576

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18046747 (311408ZDEC22) Notable: U.S. Embassy Australia Tweet: Video: Thank you for a fantastic 2022, Australia! Happy New Year!

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U.S. Embassy Australia Tweet

Thank you for a fantastic 2022, Australia! Happy New Year!

https://twitter.com/USEmbAustralia/status/1608939285214015490

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18057788 (020912ZJAN23) Notable: Emese Abigail Fajk, alleged “international con woman” accused of a raft of offences within the Ukraine Foreign Legion, including blackmail, misappropriation of donations and stealing a “massive shipment” of medical supplies valued up to $US2.5m

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The Block buyer Emese Abigail Fajk accused over Ukraine war rorts

NICHOLAS JENSEN - JANUARY 2, 2023

An alleged “international con woman” who placed a $4m winning bid on a house on Nine Network’s The Block but failed to pay has been accused of stealing a multimillion-dollar shipment of medical supplies intended for Ukraine’s Foreign Legion.

Emese Abigail Fajk – who was last seen holding an assault rifle and conducting a press conference alongside foreign fighters in July – has been accused of a raft of offences within the Foreign Legion, including blackmail, misappropriation of donations and stealing a “massive shipment” of medical supplies valued up to $US2.5m.

In a confidential dossier sent to Ukrainian Ground Forces command and viewed by The Australian, a senior member of the Foreign Legion alleges Ms Fajk poses a serious “counterintelligence threat” to the international force, and has repeatedly threatened to leak top-secret information that would “be catastrophically bad geopolitically” if her position within the legion is undermined or challenged.

The Hungarian national, who is understood to hold the rank of private in the Ukrainian Army, made headlines in Australia in 2020 after she made the winning bid on a property at an auction on the TV show The Block.

It was later revealed that Ms Fajk, who goes by the alias “Mockingjay” in Ukraine, allegedly produced false bank transfers to the network, indicating the funds had been sent.

In the dossier sent to Ukrainian Ground Forces command last month, a senior medical and intelligence officer in the Foreign Legion alleges that the 30-year-old committed several “financial crimes” while in her position as “communications director and troop support for 1st Battalion”.

“The author of this report is aware of a massive shipment of medication delivered by one of his assets to Kyiv for distribution to the 1st and 3rd Battalion,” wrote the senior officer, who spoke to The Australian on the condition of anonymity.

“I have the EUC (end use certificate) for the delivery of these medications whose estimated value is nearly US $2,500,000.

“I have confirmed that none of this medication was ever delivered to the 1st or 3rd Battalions and have made con­siderable efforts to locate where the medication may have gone … I am willing to testify that Mockingjay was present during the delivery.”

The officer, who cited testimony from several witnesses and senior members of the ­Foreign Legion, further alleged that “large amounts of additional donations” made to the international military unit were “confiscated by Mockingjay and sent to places ­unknown”.

“In every aspect of her job, she has proven to be an abject failure. She does not have the confidence of the rank and file of the soldiers, the local or international press or even those who work directly with her,” the dossier concluded.

“It is a nearly unanimously held belief within the Legion that she is a cancer on the organisation that must be excised lest she destroy the entire body of the organisation itself.”

In another dossier, a second intelligence officer wrote Ms Fajk’s “illicit behaviours” made her “extremely susceptible to blackmail, bribery, extortion and/or open recruitment by officers of the Russian Federation Security Services”.

It further claims she was arrested by Ukrainian military authorities last March in Yavoriv “on suspicion of espionage” but was “inexplicably released”.

The two dossiers, which were independently written without instruction from Ukrainian Ground Forces command or the Foreign Legion, were subsequently forwarded to the US Embassy in Kyiv and called for the immediate termination of Ms Fajk’s role.

The Australian does not suggest Ms Fajk is guilty of these allegations, only that they have been raised by several senior members of the Foreign Legion.

Ms Fajk, who previously lived in New York and the UK, relocated to Australia in 2019.

While her LinkedIn profile states she has worked as a “senior consultant” for the UN since 2015, in December 2020 she told The Australian she was not an employee of the UN.

In July 2022, Nine’s A Current Affair program reported Ms Fajk supplied a fake ANZ banking receipt after she placed multiple bids on a property featured on The Block, ultimately winning the auction for $4,256,000.

But Nine did not receive the funds from Ms Fajk and the ­contract of sale was voided by the network, which subsequently handed all its evidence to law-enforcement authorities.

An AFP spokesman said it was not currently investigating Ms Fajk.

The Australian sought comment from Ms Fajk.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/the-block-buyer-emese-abigail-fajk-accused-over-ukraine-war-rorts/news-story/73386c36f1aea7672bba842eea5374f4

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18071608 (040844ZJAN23) Notable: Rudd tells US not to ‘throw allies under a bus’ - Australia’s soon-to-be ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, says America needs to stop throwing some foreign allies “under a bus” on trade and economics if it wants to build international support to push back against China

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>>129588

Rudd tells US not to ‘throw allies under a bus’

John Kehoe - Jan 4, 2023

Australia’s soon-to-be ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, says America needs to stop throwing some foreign allies “under a bus” on trade and economics if it wants to build international support to push back against China.

Dr Rudd’s frank public assessment about Australia’s closest ally raised mixed reactions among foreign policy experts on Wednesday, amid contention about the Albanese government’s announcement last month that the former prime minister would become Australia’s next envoy in Washington.

Dr Rudd said in a television interview that the Biden administration’s Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan “have done a good job in herding the cats, both in Asia and also, frankly, in Europe so far.

“However, for the future, what is the missing element in US grand strategy?” he asked on Bloomberg TV.

“It’s called the economy, stupid,” he said, echoing a political line used by former US president Bill Clinton’s adviser to help win elections.

“And that is, you cannot continue to assume that there’ll be collective solidarity on security questions.

“But on the economy, the United States is happy to throw some of its allies under a bus.

“And for those reasons the United States Congress needs to embrace instead a different strategy, which opens its markets more towards allies in Asia and in Europe, despite the overriding protectionist sentiment of the US Congress and political class.”

Dr Rudd made clear he was speaking in his capacity as president of the New York-based Asia Society and that he would officially commence as ambassador in three months.

John Lee, a former adviser to former foreign affairs minister Julie Bishop, said a credible US strategy required enhanced American market access and that Mr Rudd was likely to tell Americans this in "his typical forthright manner".

"It is in the national and regional interest that he do so," Dr Lee said.

Another foreign policy scholar who has worked in Washington and Canberra said it was “just remarkable he is out there like this before becoming ‘ambo’.”

“He cannot shut up. The Yanks won’t like being lectured in public.”

In the joint interview with Mr Rudd, Eurasia Group president Ian Bremmer said Dr Rudd was “completely right”.

“We, the United States, do not have a trade policy. We don’t have one.

“And so as Kevin said, unless Congress, the Democrats, the Republicans are prepared to actually speak coherently about a long-term US economic strategy, the national security policy by itself doesn’t get you there.”

Offset China’s growing power

Dr Rudd said the US could not afford to have a strategy on China with “one arm tied behind its back”.

His remarks about US trade protectionism follow former US president Donald Trump imposing tariffs and other trade restrictions on foreign allies in Asia and Europe.

Mr Trump also stopped the US from joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a multilateral trade deal with Pacific Rim nations including Australia.

A strategic aim of the TPP was for the US to forge closer economic ties with Asian nations to offset China’s growing economic power in the region.

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and several other world leaders at the time lamented the US’s retreat from trade liberalisation and towards protectionism, including Kurt Campbell, who is now US President Joe Biden’s top Asia adviser.

Dr Rudd was Labor prime minister from 2007 to 2010, before being ousted by Julia Gillard. He briefly returned as leader in 2013 before Labor lost the election.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said last month the 65-year-old Dr Rudd had unmatched qualifications to represent Australia’s interests with Joe Biden, and on Capitol Hill.

“Dr Rudd brings unmatched experience to the role,” Mr Albanese said last month.

“He will conduct himself in a way that brings great credit to Australia.”

Dr Rudd is due to replace outgoing ambassador Arthur Sinodinos in March.

Mr Biden is due to visit Australia for a meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue leaders in Australia in the first half of 2023.

Mr Albanese will also visit the US this year.

https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/rudd-tells-us-not-to-throw-allies-under-a-bus-20230104-p5cach

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4PowGIeJIg

(1:28:34)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18071684 (040937ZJAN23) Notable: The Wiggles slammed for hinting at ‘new collab’ with Lil Nas X: ‘You betrayed us’ - The Wiggles have been blasted on social media after hinting at a “new collab” with US rapper Lil Nas X - The popular children’s music group posed for a picture with the controversial American rapper, who was holding a purple Wiggles shirt, at Falls Festival in Melbourne - “Such a shame, my daughter loved The Wiggles. I don’t see how someone who lap dances the devil in their music videos is a good candidate for working in the children’s music industry,” one infuriated mother wrote

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The Wiggles slammed for hinting at ‘new collab’ with Lil Nas X: ‘You betrayed us’

Sarah Fittock - 3 January 2023

The Wiggles have been blasted on social media after hinting at a “new collab” with US rapper Lil Nas X.

The popular children’s music group posed for a picture with the controversial American rapper, who was holding a purple Wiggles shirt, at Falls Festival in Melbourne.

The children’s entertainers cheekily captioned the image: “New collab in the wind?” - sparking outrage among furious fans.

“Such a shame, my daughter loved The Wiggles. I don’t see how someone who lap dances the devil in their music videos is a good candidate for working in the children’s music industry,” one infuriated mother wrote.

The 23-year-old rapper, who is in town on his Australian tour, has copped backlash in the past over his controversial music video for his number one hit Montero (Call Me By Your Name).

In the clip, the artist, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, rides a stripper pole to hell and gives Satan a lap dance, before removing the devil’s horns and placing it on his head.

Fans of The Wiggles were left enraged by the idea of the group collaborating with the rapper.

“Why are you guys collaborating with someone who worships the devil and put human blood in his sneakers and sold them,” one unimpressed fan wrote.

The comment was referencing the rapper’s 2021 special edition “Satan Shoes” in which a drop of human blood was added to 666 modified Nike sneakers that sold out in less than a minute.

‘Oh dear you can’t be serious?’

A second fan said: “I’m sorry but Lil Nas should have nothing to do with children. Period.”

Which provoked a response from another disappointed fan: “I agree they need to collab with someone who is a good role model for kids and Lil Nas X is not one of them.”

“Oh dear you can’t be serious? The Wiggles should remain a source of light not dark,” a third concerned fan commented.

Another said: “Why Wiggles, WHY!?! You have betrayed us.”

One conspiracy theorist even suggested: “They all sold their souls years ago for celebrity, and they’ll do as they’re told.”

The comment section wasn’t entirely angry, with many posting their excitement at the possibility of a collaboration.

“100 per cent support this can’t wait to take the little one if Lil Nas comes to Melbourne,” one parent said.

“I WAS WAITING FOR THIS,” another wrote.

“Awesome just awesome... you guys were such a highlight,” A third added.

This isn’t the first hint at a collab between the artists.

‘Ready to wiggle’

Back in April of last year, back and forth tweets between the rapper and children’s group got fans excited.

The 23-year-old prompted a discussion after tweeting: “Trying really hard to get The Wiggles to co-headline the tour with me. I will keep you guys updated.”

Within four hours, the Australian children’s band replied: “Ready to wiggle with you!”

https://7news.com.au/entertainment/the-wiggles-slammed-for-hinting-at-new-collab-with-lil-nas-x-you-betrayed-us-c-9337653

https://twitter.com/TheWiggles/status/1519385861338861568

https://twitter.com/TheWiggles/status/1609171347451838467

https://qresear.ch/?q=Lil+Nas+X

https://qresear.ch/?q=LilNasX

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18071688 (040939ZJAN23) Notable: Fans criticise The Wiggles for posing with Lil Nas X at Australian music festival - The Wiggles have sparked outrage after posing with controversial rapper Lil Nas X - One outraged Twitter user wrote: "You're riding Satan in your new music video. You're proud of that?" - Another said: “Lil Nas X new music video ‘Call Me By Your Name.....if that doesn’t scream I sold my soul to the devil than idk.”

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>>129597

Fans criticise The Wiggles for posing with Lil Nas X at Australian music festival

Charisa Bossinakis - 03 January 2023

The Wiggles have sparked outrage after posing with controversial rapper Lil Nas X.

After the long-awaited Falls festival performance of the two acts, The Wiggles and the rapper were photographed together, with Lil Nas X holding up a newly minted band shirt.

The Wiggles took to Instagram to share the pic with their 178,000 followers with the caption ‘New collab in the wind?’

However, many disgruntled parents weren’t too pleased with the unlikely pairing.

One person wrote: “Such a shame, my daughter loved the Wiggles. I don't see how someone who lap dances the devil in their music videos is a good candidate for working in the children's music industry.”

Another said: “Oh dear you can’t be serious? The Wiggles should remain a source of light not dark.”

While a third commented: “I’m sorry but Lil Nas should have nothing to do with children. Period.”

Last year, the 23-year-old rapper was swept up in controversy following the release of his music video for 'MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)'.

In the clip, the musician is seen sliding a ginormous pole right into the pit of hell - more specifically, right into the arms of Satan for a little lap dance while straddling him.

And yes, as you guessed, parents weren't happy in the slightest.

One outraged Twitter user wrote: "You're riding Satan in your new music video. You're proud of that?"

Another said: “Lil Nas X new music video ‘Call Me By Your Name ....... if that doesn’t scream I sold my soul to the devil than idk.”

While a third shared: “I'm sorry lil Nas X, your 'Call Me by Your Name' video giving Satan a lap dance, among other things, made you disgusting for me and probably the BET folks. No one cares that you are gay.”

However, Lil Nas X was quick to fire away at critics, revealing that struggled with his sexuality because of conservatives who deemed him immoral.

He wrote: “I spent my entire teenage years hating myself because of the sh*t y’all preached would happen to me because I was gay.

“So I hope you are mad, stay mad, feel the same anger you teach us to have towards ourselves.”

A little louder for the people at the back!

Ah, once again, Nas has cemented himself as the king of clapbacks.

https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/the-wiggles-panned-for-posing-with-lil-nas-x-526736-20230103

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm1T_WfScoz/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6swmTBVI83k

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18079409 (050816ZJAN23) Notable: Australia to buy long-range HIMARS missile system from United States after Ukraine praises weapon's effectiveness against Russia - Australia's Army will have an unprecedented long-range strike capability with the purchase of the US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket (HIMARS) system, which Ukraine has praised for its devastating effectiveness against invading Russian forces

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>>>/qresearch/18022458 (pb)

Australia to buy long-range HIMARS missile system from United States after Ukraine praises weapon's effectiveness against Russia

Andrew Greene - 5 January 2023

Australia's Army will have an unprecedented long-range strike capability with the purchase of the US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket (HIMARS) system, which Ukraine has praised for its devastating effectiveness against invading Russian forces.

The Albanese government has finalised a deal to buy 20 of the truck-mounted rocket launchers by 2026, while signing another deal to acquire the Norwegian-made Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) for Australian warships next year.

Precise costs of the purchases are being kept secret for security reasons, but the government has confirmed to the ABC the overall figure is "between one and two billion dollars".

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said during an October visit to the United States he held "productive discussions" with the Army and Lockheed Martin on how Australia could start producing the rockets used in HIMARS.

On New Year's Day, a Ukrainian strike using the US-donated HIMARS system killed dozens, possibly even hundreds of Russian soldiers in the Donetsk region.

Mr Conroy said the deadly precision of HIMARS in Ukraine has confirmed why Australia should acquire the technology.

"We'll have an Army ground launched missile that can reach targets up to 300 kilometres away and we're part of developmental program in the United States called the precision strike missile that'll allow Army to hit targets in excess of 499 kilometres".

"This will give the Australian army a strike capability they've never had before," Mr Conroy told the ABC.

Congress was first notified of a possible sale of the Lockheed Martin-produced HIMARS to Australia seven months ago, while the NSM purchase was flagged by the Morrison government in April last year.

"The Naval Strike Missile is a major step up in capability for our Navy's warships, while HIMARS launchers have been successfully deployed by the Ukrainian military over recent months and are a substantial new capability for the Army," Mr Conroy said.

NSMs are produced by Norwegian company Kongsberg and will replace the ageing Harpoon anti-ship missiles on the Royal Australian Navy's Hobart-class destroyers and Anzac-class frigates from 2024.

Labor says the HIMARS and NSM purchases will together cost over $1 billion, but Mr Conroy says precise details are being kept deliberately hidden.

"We won't be disclosing the total cost of the two announcements," he told the ABC.

"The two combined costs is between one and two billion dollars, the reason that we're not disclosing the specific amount is that gives information to potential adversaries which isn't useful beaming out there."

In its notice to Congress in May, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency estimated the cost of 20 HIMARS and associated munitions and equipment at US$385 million ($561 million).

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-05/australia-america-himars-missile-system/101827334

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18079427 (050821ZJAN23) Notable: Former PM Kevin Rudd tells United States to stop throwing allies 'under a bus' to limit Chinese influence in the region - Australia's incoming ambassador to Washington, Kevin Rudd, has been accused of engaging in "opinionated lecturing" after he declared the United States needs to stop throwing its allies "under a bus" on the economy

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>>129588

>>129596

Former PM Kevin Rudd tells United States to stop throwing allies 'under a bus' to limit Chinese influence in the region

Andrew Greene - 5 January 2023

Australia's incoming ambassador to Washington, Kevin Rudd, has been accused of engaging in "opinionated lecturing" after he declared the United States needs to stop throwing its allies "under a bus" on the economy.

The former Prime Minister, who takes up his prestigious appointment in March, claimed the Biden administration was operating with "one arm tied behind its back" in the Asia-Pacific because it had not focused on the importance of trade in favour of security ties.

"For the future, what is the missing elements in US grand strategy? It's called the economy, stupid," Mr Rudd told Bloomberg TV, invoking a famous phrase attributed to president Bill Clinton's former adviser, James Carville.

"You cannot continue to assume that there'll be collective solidarity on security questions but, on the economy, the United States is happy to throw some of its allies under a bus.

"And, for those reasons, the United States Congress needs to embrace, instead, a different strategy, which opens its markets more to its allies in Asia and in Europe, despite the over-riding protection sentiment of the US Congress and political class in general."

In his first media appearance since being named the next US ambassador, Mr Rudd argued that America's strategic stance would only succeed if the world's largest economy opened up its markets.

"You cannot have a strategy which has one arm tied behind its back, namely, trade and the economy," Mr Rudd said.

"You must, in fact, have both wings flying. Otherwise, this bird doesn't take off," the former Labor leader told a panel discussion focusing on the international economy and markets.

Last month, Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham noted the significance of Mr Rudd's appointment but has now criticised the former Prime Minister's language.

"Encouraging the US to pursue deeper economic engagement in our region and with other allies is smart, strategic and consistent with recent Australian ambassadors to the US," Senator Birmingham said.

"Opinionated lecturing of the US before you've even started your new ambassadorial role in the US is far less strategic.

"I doubt many will see Kevin Rudd's tone as an encouraging start to a role that requires both deft handling and policy smarts."

Inside government ranks, some MPs have privately expressed concern at the outspoken approach their former colleague may take in his new diplomatic role, suggesting he could become a "second foreign minister" based in Washington.

Mr Rudd stressed he was speaking in his capacity as president of the Asia Society and had not begun his ambassadorial role, noting it was "three months before I turn into a pumpkin".

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-04/kevin-rudd-wants-us-to-stop-throwing-allies-under-a-bus-economy/101827944

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18079476 (050835ZJAN23) Notable: NSW ‘ISIS bride’ charged for allegedly entering Islamic State-run areas of Syria - Mariam Raad charged with entering and remaining in the “declared zone” of al-Raqqa province in Syria, which was an IS stronghold in 2014 - Police say they have new evidence she willingly entered Islamic State territory in 2014 and knew of her then-husband, Muhammad Zahab’s activities with the group

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>>>/qresearch/17637158 (pb)

NSW ‘ISIS bride’ charged for allegedly entering Islamic State-run areas of Syria

Ben Cubby and Matthew Knott - January 5, 2023

Less than three months after she was returned to Australia, one of the so-called “ISIS brides” has been charged after police said they had new evidence she had willingly entered Islamic State territory in 2014 and knew of her husband’s activities with the group.

Mariam Raad, who now lives in Young in the state’s South West Slopes, was arrested on Thursday morning after properties were searched at Young and Parklea in Sydney’s north-west.

Raad, 31, was charged on Thursday with entering and remaining in the “declared zone” of al-Raqqa province in Syria, which was an IS stronghold in 2014.

Police said new evidence had come to light that Raad was aware of the activities of her then-husband Muhammad Zahab, though Raad has previously said she knew nothing of Zahab’s role with Islamic State.

Zahab, a former Sydney maths teacher, was the most senior Australian member of IS and was thought to have enticed at least a dozen other Australians to join him in Syria. He was reportedly killed by an airstrike in 2018.

“It will be alleged in court that the woman, who is now living in Young, travelled to Syria in early 2014 to join her husband, who left Australia in 2013 and joined Islamic State,” the Australian Federal Police and NSW Police said in a joint statement.

“It will also be alleged the woman was aware of her husband’s activities with Islamic State, and willingly travelled to the conflict region.”

It is an offence under Commonwealth law to enter and remain in areas where the government has declared “a listed terrorist organisation is engaging in a hostile activity”. It carries a penalty of up to 10 years in jail.

Raad was returned to Australia in October along with three other Australian women and 13 children who had been living in squalid conditions in the Al-Roj Internally Displaced Persons camp in north-east Syria.

The decision to bring the families of former IS fighters home was criticised at the time by the federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, who had previously resisted calls to repatriate them. Eight children and grandchildren of two dead IS fighters were brought home under the former government in 2019.

“I made a decision based on the intelligence that I received at the time: these women shouldn’t come back to Australia,” Dutton said in October, adding the decision was based on advice from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the federal police and defence force.

When the women and children were brought home, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said that decision was also informed by national security advice and the government had considered a range of security, community and welfare factors.

After Raad’s arrest on Thursday, a spokeswoman for Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said: “This arrest is the result of an ongoing Joint Counter Terrorism Teams investigation and concerns alleged conduct that occurred outside of Australia in 2014. Since her return, there has not been any threat to the Australian community.”

On their return, the so-called “ISIS brides” released a joint statement, apologising “for the trouble and hurt we have caused … We are willing to do whatever is asked of us by government authorities to ensure the safety of our families and the Australian community and we will fully co-operate with all Australian law enforcement agencies.”

Raad told the ABC in 2018 she knew nothing about Zahab’s role with Islamic State.

“We’re, like, now emotionless. I would say probably I was angry [at him],” she said while in the al-Roj camp.

AFP acting Assistant Commissioner Sandra Booth said the Joint Counter Terrorism Teams would continue to investigate Australians returning from war zones.

“Individuals will be brought before the courts when evidence supports allegations that returned individuals have committed offences in conflict areas,” Booth said in a statement.

“The JCTT will continue to target criminal activity and does not target specific ideologies or beliefs.”

The Save the Children organisation, which has been campaigning for families to be repatriated, said: “Australia has a clear moral obligation and international legal requirement to repatriate its citizens from camps in north-east Syria, just as nations including the United States, Germany and France have done.

“Australia is showing that it is possible to repatriate its citizens while balancing any potential risks and ensuring the safety of the wider community.”

About 40 Australian women and children remain in displaced persons camps in Syria.

Raad is expected to face Wagga Wagga Local Court on Friday.

https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/nsw-isis-bride-charged-for-allegedly-entering-islamic-state-run-areas-of-syria-20230105-p5cakj.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18087932 (061120ZJAN23) Notable: US senators’ leaked letter won’t sink AUKUS subs deal: defence minister - Defence Minister Richard Marles has insisted Australia’s plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines remains on track after two US senators staged a dramatic intervention, warning Joe Biden the AUKUS pact risked stressing America’s industrial base to “breaking point”

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US senators’ leaked letter won’t sink AUKUS subs deal: defence minister

Matthew Knott - January 6, 2023

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Defence Minister Richard Marles has insisted Australia’s plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines remains on track after two US senators staged a dramatic intervention, warning Joe Biden the AUKUS pact risked stressing America’s industrial base to “breaking point”.

The letter to the US President, revealed just three months before the Albanese government unveils its submarine plan, is the first time members of Congress from either party have expressed significant misgivings about AUKUS.

The pact between Australia, the US and United Kingdom has enjoyed strong bipartisan support in Washington since it was announced in September 2021.

In a letter to Biden sent on December 21, Democratic Senator Jack Reed and Republican Senator James Inhofe explicitly warned against any plan to sell or transfer Virginia-class submarines to Australia before the US Navy meets its current requirements.

“Over the past year, we have grown more concerned about the state of the US submarine industrial base as well as its ability to support the desired AUKUS SSN [nuclear submarine] end state,” Reed and Inhofe said in their letter to the White House, first reported by US website Breaking Defence.

“We believe current conditions require a sober assessment of the facts to avoid stressing the US submarine industrial base to the breaking point.

“We are concerned that what was initially touted as a ‘do no harm’ opportunity to support Australia and the United Kingdom and build long-term competitive advantages for the US and its Pacific allies, may be turning into a zero-sum game for scarce, highly advanced US SSNs.”

Reed is the chair of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee, which oversees the US military and Department of Defence. Inhofe, whose Senate career ended this week, was the top Republican on the committee when the letter was sent.

A spokeswoman for Marles responded to the letter, saying: “The optimal pathway for Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines is taking shape, and an announcement remains on track to be made in the first part of this year.

“AUKUS will significantly transform Australia’s strategic posture and the work undertaken over the last 16 months speaks to a shared mission between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.”

The government has said it will announce which type of submarine it will acquire by March, after receiving a recommendation from Jonathan Mead, the head of the Nuclear Powered Submarine Taskforce.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18087967 (061137ZJAN23) Notable: EXCLUSIVE: Reed, Inhofe warn Biden AUKUS risks becoming ‘zero sum game’ for US Navy - "We are concerned that what was initially touted as a 'do no harm' opportunity to support Australia and the United Kingdom and build long-term competitive advantages for the U.S. and its Pacific allies, may be turning into a zero-sum game for scarce, highly advanced U.S. SSNs," wrote the Senate Armed Services Committee heads

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>>129602

EXCLUSIVE: Reed, Inhofe warn Biden AUKUS risks becoming ‘zero sum game’ for US Navy

"We are concerned that what was initially touted as a 'do no harm' opportunity to support Australia and the United Kingdom and build long-term competitive advantages for the U.S. and its Pacific allies, may be turning into a zero-sum game for scarce, highly advanced U.S. SSNs," wrote the SASC heads.

JUSTIN KATZ - January 05, 2023

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WASHINGTON — Two key US lawmakers sent a warning shot to President Joe Biden over concerns that the AUKUS trilateral security agreement could imperil America’s submarine fleet, according to a letter obtained by Breaking Defense.

“Over the past year, we have grown more concerned about the state of the U.S. submarine industrial base as well as its ability to support the desired AUKUS SSN [nuclear sub] end state,” Sens. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and James Inhofe, R-Okla., wrote in a Dec. 21 letter sent to the White House. “We believe current conditions require a sober assessment of the facts to avoid stressing the U.S. submarine industrial base to the breaking point.”

“We are concerned that what was initially touted as a ‘do no harm’ opportunity to support Australia and the United Kingdom and build long-term competitive advantages for the U.S. and its pacific allies, may be turning into a zero-sum game for scarce, highly advanced U.S. SSNs,” the two lawmakers continue, explicitly warning against any plan to sell or transfer Virginia-class submarines to Australia before the US Navy has met its current requirement.

At the time the letter was sent, Reed and Inhofe were the chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the Senate Armed Services Committee, one of the four key congressional panels overseeing the Pentagon. While Inhofe has since retired, Reed remains the SASC chairman in the new Congress — and hence remains one of the most influential voices on defense issues on the hill, with oversight on the AUKUS discussion.

AUKUS refers to the security pact announced in September 2021 between the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. The highlight of the agreement involves the US and UK sharing highly sensitive nuclear submarine technology with their ally down under, so that Australia can develop and operate nuclear-powered submarines, or potentially receive American Virginia-class subs outright. Leaders of the three countries said at the time their respective governments would spend 18 months on a preliminary planning phase before advancing the agreement; that initial consultation period is scheduled to end in March.

“We urge you to adopt a ‘do no harm’ approach to AUKUS negotiations and ensure that sovereign U.S. national security capabilities will not be diminished as we work to build this strategic partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom over the coming decades,” the senators wrote Biden.

A spokesman for Reed declined to comment; the White House did not return a request for comment by deadline.

Virginia Concerns

The senators outline the pressure the US Navy’s fast attack submarine program, the Virginia-class, has been under in recent years. They point out that although the program increased procurement from one to two boats per year in 2011, “just 1.2 Virginia-class SSNs have delivered, on average, per year over the past five years,” according to the letter.

In fact, a significant portion of the letter sends a clear signal to the White House: think twice before trying to send or sell Virginia-class subs to Australia.

“AUKUS options that would have the U.S. transfer or sell Virginia-class submarines prior to meeting [the Chief of Naval Operations’] requirements would make the US Navy less capable of meeting sovereign wartime and peacetime requirements. Make no mistake, we recognize the strategic value of having one of our closest allies operating a world-class nuclear navy could provide in managing long-term competition with an increasingly militaristic China.

“However, such a goal will take decades to achieve, and we cannot simply ignore contemporary realities in the meantime.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18097132 (071208ZJAN23) Notable: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese 'very confident' AUKUS deal will benefit all three countries, despite concerns raised in US - Australia is on track to announce plans to buy new nuclear-powered submarines from the US and UK, despite scepticism in Washington - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Saturday Australia's relationship with the US remained strong

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>>129602

>>129603

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese 'very confident' AUKUS deal will benefit all three countries, despite concerns raised in US

AAP/ABC - 7 January 2023

Australia is on track to announce plans to buy new nuclear-powered submarines from the US and UK, despite scepticism in Washington.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Saturday Australia's relationship with the US remained strong.

This came after revelations two US senators had raised concerns to President Joe Biden the new AUKUS deal between the three countries could push America's submarine-building industry to a "breaking point".

Mr Albanese said an "optimal pathway" for building the submarines would be revealed in the first quarter of this year.

"We're very confident that it's in the interests of Australia, but also in the interest of the United States and the interests of the United Kingdom," he said on Saturday.

"When we talk about optimal pathway, we talk about not just the issue of what is built, but how it is built, as well as the optimal pathway in building a capacity of skills in the Australian workforce."

Mr Marles said Australia would need to make its own industrial contribution for the US and UK deal, while working to prepare the local sector.

"We have said that we will build the capacity in Adelaide to build nuclear-powered submarine," he said.

This would include working with nuclear technology experts from universities across Australia, as well as preparing for the blue-collar roles necessary for the construction.

"This is a really exciting opportunity for Australia."

The comments follow revelations in a leaked letter dated December 21, first obtained by US publication Breaking Defense, in which the Democratic chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a former Republican colleague outline their anxieties over the project.

"Over the past year, we have grown more concerned about the state of the US submarine industrial base as well as its ability to support the desired AUKUS SSN [nuclear sub] end state," the letter said.

Committee chair, senator Jack Reed, and Republican senator James Inhofe, who has since retired, warned the White House against any plan to sell or transfer Virginia-class submarines to Australia before the US Navy meets its current requirements.

While it was the first time members of Congress had raised major concerns about AUKUS, a senior US Navy official warned in August that helping Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines could be too big a burden for America's overstretched shipyards.

Australia needs to replace its ageing diesel-powered Collins-class fleet of submarines.

The former Morrison government controversially ditched a $90 billion French contract for new ones to instead build nuclear-powered subs from the US and UK.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-07/anthony-albanese-aukus-submarine-deal/101834838

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18097141 (071212ZJAN23) Notable: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to address Papua New Guinea's national parliament on two-day trip - Mr Albanese had been due to visit PNG in December last year but the trip was postponed after he tested positive to COVID-19 - He will attend an annual Leaders' Dialogue, before flying to Wewak in the north to pay homage to the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to address Papua New Guinea's national parliament on two-day trip

Melissa Maykin - 5 Jan 2023

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to address Papua New Guinea's parliament during a two-day visit next week.

Mr Albanese had been due to visit PNG in December last year but the trip was postponed after he tested positive to COVID-19.

He will be in the country from January 12 to 13 to attend an annual Leaders' Dialogue, before flying to Wewak in the north to pay homage to the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare.

Mr Albanese told News Corp in December that he planned to offer PNG increased defence and security support during the visit.

"We provided support for security for their recent elections, and we’re looking to provide increased support for Papua New Guinea and collaboration on defence and security issues," he said.

It will be the first visit by an Australian prime minister since May 2019.

PNG Prime Minister James Marape said the visit would reinforce the strong bond between the two countries.

"Part of the program will include Prime Minister Albanese addressing our national parliament, which we are offering as a mark of respect to the Australian leader, as PNG marches towards our 50th anniversary of independence," Mr Marape said in a statement.

"It is only befitting that the leader of the Australian Labor Party, which granted independence to PNG in 1975 — through then-leader Gough Whitlam — be given this honour of addressing our national parliament."

Sir Michael Somare led the former Australian colony to independence in 1975 and preparations are under way to celebrate its approaching 50th anniversary.

"The Australian Labor Party [was then] led by the late Gough Whitlam, who was in government in Australia, while the Pangu Pati [was] led by the late Sir Michael Somare [who] was in government in PNG," Mr Marape said.

"Australia and Papua New Guinea have a long history and this visit will strengthen our shared vision for the future.

"Australia is a very important foundation bilateral partner of PNG, in as far as nation-to-nation relations are concerned."

'Long history and shared vision'

Mr Albanese said he had enjoyed hosting "good friend" Mr Marape on several Australian visits last year and the bilateral relationship remained strong.

"Australia and Papua New Guinea are close not just geographically, but also because of our long history and shared vision for the future," he said.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles in October flagged an "ambitious" bid to expand military ties and sign a security treaty with Papua New Guinea.

It came after PNG's new foreign minister, Justin Tkatchenko, earlier said he would like officials from the two countries to strike a formal treaty.

While anxiety about China has propelled Australia's renewed push to deepen defence ties in the Pacific, Mr Marles insisted at the time that was not the primary driver.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-05/albanese-marape-say-relationship-is-strong-ahead-of-pm-visit/101829560

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18097188 (071237ZJAN23) Notable: Australian YouTuber reported to police by Ukrainian ambassador over alleged 'harassment campaign' - In a video posted to YouTube, Simeon Boikov - also known as 'Aussie Cossack' - made a prank call to Ukraine's ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko

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Australian YouTuber reported to police by Ukrainian ambassador over alleged 'harassment campaign'

In a video posted to YouTube, Simeon Boikov - also known as 'Aussie Cossack' - made a prank call to Ukraine's ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko.

Jessica Bahr and Tom Canetti - 7 January 2023

Ukraine's ambassador to Australia has reported a pro-Russia online commentator to police for allegedly unleashing a telephone harassment campaign against him.

Simeon Boikov, a right-wing social media personality, shared ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko's mobile phone number to his YouTube followers in a video posted on 5 January.

"As part of active measures, an Australian criminal & a far right activist with links to the RU intelligence Simeon Boikov aka Aussie Cossack has unleashed a major telephone harassment campaign against me. Threats, insults, intimidation," Mr Myroshnychenko wrote on Twitter.

The ambassador said he had reported the case to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

The AFP is aware of the matter, and is working with the diplomatic mission, a spokesperson told SBS News.

What happened in the video?

In video posted to YouTube on Thursday, Mr Boikov showed viewers a statement Mr Myroshnychenko had sent out about the upcoming Australian Open, which included his contact number for people seeking more information.

He then made a prank call to Mr Myroshnychenko.

In the call, Mr Boikov posed as "Bill from Hunters Hill" - a character he has used in multiple phone pranks online.

He asked how he could prevent Russian flags from being brought to tennis matches in Australia.

He then asked how he could donate to Mr Myroshnychenko's "daughter's education in London," before the ambassador said he knew he was being pranked.

"Yes, I recognise you Aussie Cossack, I recognise you," Mr Myroshnychenko said.

"Your voice is very clear and I can understand who's calling. It was a good try, but you were discovered immediately. Good luck."

During the video, Mr Boikov showed a close-up of the document containing the phone number.

"There's his phone number if you want to give him a buzz as well," he said.

At the time of writing, the video had more than 18,000 views.

Following the ambassador's response, Mr Boikov released another video where he denied Mr Myroshnychenko's claim that he had links to Russian intelligence.

"The Ukrainian ambassador to Australia is an imbecile," Mr Boikov said.

"I should probably sue him for defamation."

He went on to criticise Australia for giving aid to Ukraine to defend against Russia's invasion, and argued that the government should spend the money on "hospitals" and "pot holes" instead.

Mr Boikov also criticised Liberal Senator David Van, who posted a comment on Twitter saying that the government should "deport thugs like this".

Mr Boikov was born in Australia, and said it would be "pretty much impossible to deport him," although he may "voluntarily deport" himself.

SBS News has contacted Senator Van and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for comment.

Who is the Aussie Cossack?

Mr Boikov is a pro-Russia social media personality and online commentator.

In December, he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm after allegedly assaulting a 76-year-old man at a pro-Ukraine rally in Sydney.

Mr Boikov was granted conditional bail and is set to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on January 25.

Mr Boikov was jailed in June for breaching court suppression orders by deliberately naming an alleged paedophile during an anti-lockdown rally, but was granted early release in September.

SBS News has contacted Mr Boikov for comment.

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/australian-youtuber-reported-to-police-by-ukrainian-ambassador-over-alleged-harassment-campaign/niawn7hp2

https://twitter.com/AmbVasyl/status/1610928576475590657

https://twitter.com/VanSenate/status/1611053358173024256

https://www.youtube.com/@AussieCossack

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18102810 (080939ZJAN23) Notable: Worst floods in WA’s history cut off towns, could create an inland sea - Children are being winched out of remote communities, while livestock and wallabies are seeking refuge on small islands in what has been described as the worst flooding in Western Australia’s history, in the state’s northern Kimberley region - “People in the Kimberley are experiencing a one-in-100-year flood event, the worst flooding WA has ever seen,” the state’s Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said

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Worst floods in WA’s history cut off towns, could create an inland sea

David Estcourt and Marta Pascual Juanola - January 6, 2023

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Children are being winched out of remote communities, while livestock and wallabies are seeking refuge on small islands in what has been described as the worst flooding in Western Australia’s history, in the state’s northern Kimberley region.

“People in the Kimberley are experiencing a one-in-100-year flood event, the worst flooding WA has ever seen,” the state’s Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said.

“This situation is still changing and it’s proving to be extremely challenging.”

About 60,000 cubic metres of water per second is flowing down the swollen Fitzroy River, which is expected to create a 50-kilometre-wide inland sea as it spreads across the flood plain.

Broome became the latest town cut off by road on Thursday, joining Derby and Fitzroy Crossing, after being lashed by 400 millimetres of rainfall over 48 hours (more than double the region’s monthly average) generated by ex-tropical cyclone Ellie.

The Fitzroy River snakes more than 700 kilometres from the east Kimberley to meet the Indian Ocean near Derby.

“It’s one of the highest flow rates we’ve ever seen in an Australian river,” meteorologist James Ashley said. “The amount of water moving down the Fitzroy River in a day is about what Perth uses water-wise in 20 years.”

Only a few streets remain above the murky floodwater in the remote town of Fitzroy Crossing, a four-hour drive east of Broome, where helicopters and boats were evacuating residents, including children, from the rising water on Wednesday.

The town’s supermarket and homes were also flooded.

Authorities and community groups have been working around the clock to get people to safety, said Jane Guthrie, manager at the Fitzroy Workers Camp, which provides accommodation for workers.

“There’s a lot of scared people around out in the communities,” she said.

“There’s a lot of dead animals and the cows are basically getting flushed down the river. The wallabies have nowhere to go and there are wild pigs swanning around. Luckily we only have fresh water crocs.”

Floodwater began receding slightly from Fitzroy Crossing on Friday, after the river peaked at 15.81 metres on Wednesday, which surpassed the record 13.95 metres set 20 years ago.

But the town remains cut off.

“While the water will begin to go down over the next few days, it will still be fast-flowing and dangerous. Communities are expected to be isolated for more than seven days,” the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said in a statement posted on Facebook.

Fitzroy Crossing nurse Jess Grayson said many residents didn’t anticipate the extent of flooding in a region accustomed to a big wet season.

“A lot of people are climbing up on roofs because they’ve left it too long or didn’t realise the extent of the floods. People have abandoned their belongings and homes and have lost all their belongings, and might not have brought medications,” she said.

Grayson said the community remained nervous about the need to evacuate more people from remote towns should water rise again.

“The community spirit is quite high, everyone is coming together in this time of need. The mob have been making sure that everyone in their area is looked after,” she said.

“If the river rises again there is the potential that they might have to evacuate more people.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18108718 (090826ZJAN23) Notable: Dutton adamant Australia can still buy subs off the shelf - Peter Dutton says there is “no question” Australia could still buy two Virginia-class submarines from America by 2030 despite the heads of the US Senate armed services committee advising against it and warning the AUKUS pact risked stretching the nation’s industrial base “to breaking point”

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>>129602

>>129603

Dutton adamant Australia can still buy subs off the shelf

JOE KELLY - JANUARY 8, 2023

Peter Dutton says there is “no question” Australia could still buy two Virginia-class submarines from America by 2030 despite the heads of the US Senate armed services committee advising against it and warning the AUKUS pact risked stretching the nation’s industrial base “to breaking point”.

The Opposition Leader reaffirmed his view on Sunday that Australia could purchase the nuclear-powered submarines off the shelf from a Connecticut production line and urged Anthony Albanese “to press the case” in his dealings with America.

In June 2022, just weeks after the Coalition lost the election, Mr Dutton revealed that he had been working on a plan as defence minister in the Morrison government to purchase two Virginia-class submarines from the US by the end of the decade – 10 years before their scheduled arrival if they were built in Australia.

“There is no question in my mind that that option is still on the table. The ability to make sure that we can keep our region safe is really dependent on the acquisition of those assets,” Mr Dutton said on Sunday.

“I hope that the Prime Minister is able to continue to press the case because when we negotiated AUKUS, when the Coalition negotiated AUKUS, it was clear to us, as it’s now clear to the government, that the intelligence is that we live in a very uncertain time, the most uncertain time since the Second World War.”

Mr Dutton played down a letter to US President Joe Biden from Democrat Jack Reed and Republican James Inhofe, which called for a “sober assessment” of the AUKUS agreement between the US, Australia and Britain, and explicitly warned against selling Australia submarines off the production line.

They said that despite the US’s two-boat-per-year target, “just 1.2 Virginia-class (submarines have been) delivered, on average, per year, over the past five years” and that the AUKUS submarine agreement could become “a zero-sum game” for the allocation of “scarce, highly advanced” US ­nuclear boats.

But Mr Dutton said AUKUS was the “underpinning of our national security for the coming decades” and that there were “understandable questions” now being asked about what capacity the US and UK had within their submarine-building programs.

“I believe very strongly that when we negotiated with the United States and the United Kingdom, there was the option for us to see that submarine built in the United States,” Mr Dutton said.

“Representative Joe Courtney, who is a great friend of our country, has made some comments, some positive comments about the prospect of there being headroom within the supply chain.”

Mr Courtney, a Democratic congressman who chairs the House armed services subcommittee on sea power and projection forces, said last month that purchasing Virginia submarines was not “off the table” despite growing concern at the idea.

Speaking on the weekend, the Prime Minister said the government would “advance the AUKUS relationship with the United States and the United Kingdom, including the development of Australia having nuclear-powered submarines” during the first quarter of the year.

“We’re very positive in the relationships that we’ve built with the Biden administration,” he said.

“We still regard the US relationship as so important, as our most important alliance, and we place great stock in it.”

A high-level nuclear submarine taskforce led by navy Vice-Admiral Jonathan Mead is due in March to hand to government its 18-month study to determine how Australia would acquire nuclear-powered submarines.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/dutton-adamant-australia-can-still-buy-subs-off-the-shelf/news-story/2702d08b67b1b4e8354dac70a12e5a84

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18108782 (090859ZJAN23) Notable: Malcolm Turnbull fires warning shot as AUKUS submarine debate rages - Former PM Malcolm Turnbull has issued a stern warning on the AUKUS submarines deal, noting a crucial element of the plan could undermine our sovereignty

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>>129602

>>129603

Malcolm Turnbull fires warning shot as AUKUS submarine debate rages

Former PM Malcolm Turnbull has issued a stern warning on the AUKUS submarines deal, noting a crucial element of the plan could undermine our sovereignty.

Ellen Ransley - January 9, 2023

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull says it is “truly remarkable” the renewed debate about acquiring United States submarines has not considered how significantly it would undermine Australia’s sovereignty.

The federal government will within months announce its nuclear submarine plan, with both AUKUS partners – the US and the United Kingdom – in the running for supplying vessels to Australia until domestic industry is capable.

It’s been revealed, however, that key United States senators have voiced their concern about being the chosen partner.

Jack Reed and former senator James Inhofe wrote US President Joe Biden a letter in December, which has leaked online, which says they – members of the armed services committee – wanted a “sober assessment” of the submarine component of the AUKUS deal.

They wrote that providing Australia with Virginia-class submarines risked tipping the US industry to “breaking point” and could undermine US security.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has maintained he remains “positive” about the AUKUS deal, and that Australia would ramp up its industrial contribution for the partnership.

But Mr Turnbull, taking to Twitter, said Australia was “completely overlooking” the fact that nuclear powered submarines acquired from the US “will not be able to be operated or maintained without the supervision of the US Navy”.

“It is surely remarkable that this abdication of Australian sovereignty was effected by the Morrison government and now, apparently, endorsed and adopted by the Albanese government,” he wrote.

“AUKUS is a worthwhile and natural enhancement of already intimate security and intelligence relationships, but the submarine element of the agreement delays vital capabilities and diminishes Australian sovereignty.”

On Saturday, Mr Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australia’s relationship with the US remained strong, and the AUKUS partnership would benefit all members.

“We’re very confident that it’s in the interests of Australia, but also in the interests of the US and the interests of the United Kingdom,” Mr Albanese said.

“When we talk about optimal pathway, we talk about not just the issue of what is built, but how it is built, as well as the optimal pathway in building a capacity of skills in the Australian workforce.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has urged Mr Albanese to “press the case” to purchase submarines off the shelf from the US, saying there was “no question” in his mind that option was still on the table.

On Sunday, Mr Dutton said Australia’s ability to keep the region safe was “really dependent” on the acquisition of the US submarines.

“I hope that the Prime Minister is able to continue to press the case because when we negotiated AUKUS, when the Coalition negotiated AUKUS, it was clear to us, as it’s now clear to the government, that the intelligence is that we live in a very uncertain time, the most uncertain time since the Second World War and the sooner that we can acquire that capability, it is in Australia‘s interests, it’s in the United States’ interests, it’s in our partners interests within the Indo-Pacific,” he said.

“That’s why we should continue to work very closely to achieve an outcome and to acknowledge from the US, and other partners, that they have their own obligations and their own needs, but we are a trusted and reliable partner and that’s why the AUKUS deal was struck in the first place.”

https://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/military/malcolm-turnbull-fires-warning-shot-as-aukus-submarine-debate-rages/news-story/d98d145384c41ab5e99f552515f3a7e5

https://twitter.com/TurnbullMalcolm/status/1612192762799222785

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https://twitter.com/TurnbullMalcolm/status/1325135684265373696

https://twitter.com/TurnbullMalcolm/status/1346919266751193088

https://twitter.com/TurnbullMalcolm/status/1351758982122143748

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https://qanon.pub/?q=call%20details

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18108831 (090920ZJAN23) Notable: Islamic State Missile terrorist to return to NSW country town after prison - Haisem Zahab, convicted Islamic State terrorist linked by marriage to “ISIS bride” Mariam Raad is expected to return to his home in the rural NSW town of Young after his release from prison this year, angering residents already reeling from the arrest last week of the 31-year-old mother of four

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>>129601

Missile terrorist to return to NSW country town after prison

STEPHEN RICE - JANUARY 9, 2023

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A convicted Islamic State terrorist linked by marriage to “ISIS bride” Mariam Raad is expected to return to his home in the rural NSW town of Young after his ­release from prison this year, angering residents already reeling from the arrest last week of the 31-year-old mother of four.

Haisem Zahab was arrested in Young in 2017 and later jailed for nine years with a non-parole period of six years and nine months for designing guided missiles and laser warning devices for Islamic State.

The highly skilled electrical engineer is the cousin of now-deceased Islamic State fighter Muhammad Zahab, whose widow Ms Raad, was charged last week with entering an ISIS-controlled area, believed to be the Syrian city of Raqqa.

Ms Raad was released on bail to continue living in Young.

A former Sydney maths teacher, Muhammad Zahab became a prolific Islamic State ­recruiter and was responsible for luring dozens of his family members to Syria before being killed in a targeted air strike in 2018.

The two families are close. Members of the Raad family gave character evidence at Haisem Zahab’s 2019 sentencing, describing him as “reliable and trustworthy” after he pleaded guilty to knowingly providing support or resources to a terrorist organisation.

Zahab moved to Young from Sydney in 2012 claiming to be looking for a “quieter life in the country” but built and tested guided rockets on the cherry orchard hobby farm on the outskirts of town where he lived with his wife and six children.

Since being jailed the one-time solar panel installer has complained that his family has been “terrorised” by locals who arrive at their house late at night and create loud disturbances

Zahab unsuccessfully appealed his sentence on the grounds that he had renounced Islamic State and this made his prison conditions – in Goulburn’s high-security Supermax, among Australia’s most dangerous convicted terrorists – extremely onerous.

A clinical psychologist’s report on Zahab said his arrest had been highly traumatic for his family “given the sudden and dramatic nature of the police raid”, when police reportedly blew down the front door with explosives and held guns to family members’ heads.

Zahab told the psychologist that since his arrest locals would come to his family home “sightseeing”.

“Some hoons went to the front gate in utes and terrorised the family,” he said. The family continued to be affected by noises in the night, he said.

His wife, Mervat Zahab, had been shunned by the community, had suffered a stroke as a result of the stress and wanted to sell the house, he claimed.

However, property records show the 4ha property, which Zahab bought in 2012 for $360,000 is still owned by the family.

Young in recent years has become known as “the unofficial Muslim capital of the outback”, with at least 500 permanent residents identifying as Muslim and many more flocking to the town during holiday periods.

The establishment of halal abattoirs almost a decade ago saw an influx of Muslim families and workers, especially of Lebanese heritage, migrate to the small rural town.

With time already served from his arrest in 2017, Haisem Zahab becomes eligible for parole in December this year.

Many Young locals – including members of the Muslim community – are dismayed at the prospect of him returning to live in the town.

However, neighbour Kerry Barr, 78, said she had a lot of sympathy for Mervat Zahab, who came to her house and apologised after her husband’s arrest.

“She was crying and shaking,” recalled Ms Barr. “She said ‘I’m sorry if you were frightened.’ I don’t think she really knew what was going on. She’s a very pleasant neighbour.”

Ms Barr, a retired schoolteacher, said Haisem Zahab had paid for his crime and deserved a chance.

“I hope there’s no trouble. He’s had a lot of time to think about how he was conned.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18115415 (100810ZJAN23) Notable: Not a day to celebrate: Wollongong university staff given option to work on Australia Day holiday - Vice-chancellor Patricia Davidson says 26 January is seen as Invasion Day by First Nations colleagues and we should ‘be clear about what we’re celebrating’

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Not a day to celebrate: Wollongong university staff given option to work on Australia Day holiday

Vice-chancellor says 26 January is seen as Invasion Day by First Nations colleagues and we should ‘be clear about what we’re celebrating’

Caitlin Cassidy - 9 Jan 2023

The University of Wollongong (UOW) is giving staff the option to work through the 26 January holiday, making it the latest employer to offer the policy in a show of solidarity with First Nations people.

The university announced on Monday that it would offer all fixed-term and permanent employees the flexibility to work rather than taking the day as a public holiday, citing the painful associations it may have for Indigenous communities.

“For our First Nations colleagues, it’s clearly a day they don’t want to recognise as a celebration … they see it as an Invasion Day,” UOW vice-chancellor Prof Patricia Davidson said. “Let’s be clear about what we’re celebrating.”

Employees who choose to work can instead take leave on 27 January or 30 January.

The announcement – which follows consultation with staff unions – comes after some major businesses introduced similar policies.

Telecommunications company Telstra and oil and gas company Woodside introduced a new policy this year allowing staff to either take the public holiday or take the leave on another day of their choosing.

A spokesperson for Telstra said the flexibility was built into the company’s enterprise agreements which were voted on by its employees earlier this year.

Consulting heavyweights Deloitte, KPMG and Ernst & Young already had policies in place allowing staff some flexibility around public holidays – as did mining giant BHP and super fund Australian Ethical.

Davidson said she wasn’t aware of other universities who had signed up to the initiative, but didn’t expect it UOW would be the last.

“A lot of people are talking about it, I wouldn’t be surprised if more come out of gate,” she said.

Davidson said she hoped the shift would generate greater support for recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and changing the date of Australia Day.

“For many, the 26 January marks invasion, the beginning of colonisation and atrocities,” she said. “We want to cast a spotlight on the reality of our history.”

National president of the National Tertiary Education Union, Dr Alison Barnes, said all universities should follow suit and give staff the option to have an alternative day off.

“We support giving workers the right to choose whether to work on January 26,” she said.

“Invasion Day is a deeply distressing day for so many First Nations people, including members of our union.

“Allowing a choice of whether to work or not acknowledges that many in our community don’t want to mark the anniversary of genocide, dispossession and suffering with a public holiday.”

A spokesperson for the University of New South Wales said while staff weren’t allowed to substitute a day for the public holiday, flexibility and choice was an option under review as the university established a new enterprise agreement.

Similarly the University of Melbourne is “considering an alternative arrangement” to the fixed Australia Day holiday as part of its enterprise bargaining process.

The University of Sydney and the University of Queensland told Guardian Australia 26 January was recognised as a public holiday at their respective institutions.

It follows the federal government’s decision to allow councils to hold citizenship ceremonies for three days before and after 26 January, undoing restrictions introduced by the Coalition in 2017.

Greens senator Lidia Thorpe said the nuanced approach to the date displayed “growing momentum” to change how Australia celebrated its national identity.

“In 1938, Yorta Yorta man William Cooper called for January 26 to be acknowledged as a Day of Mourning,” she said.

“First Nations people have rallied on that date ever since. This is a longer history than the Australia Day public holiday, which only started in 1994.”

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jan/09/not-a-day-to-celebrate-wollongong-university-staff-given-option-to-work-on-australia-day-holiday

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18115451 (100826ZJAN23) Notable: Retired admiral sinks Turnbull ‘sovereignty’ fear - Peter Clarke, the only Australian admiral to have commanded both a nuclear and a diesel-electric submarine, has dismissed as “complete nonsense” criticism by Malcolm Turnbull that the trilateral AUKUS agreement to obtain a fleet of nuclear submarines would undermine Australian sovereignty

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>>129609

Retired admiral sinks Turnbull ‘sovereignty’ fear

JOE KELLY - JANUARY 10, 2023

Peter Clarke, the only Australian admiral to have commanded both a nuclear and a diesel-electric submarine, has dismissed as “complete nonsense” criticism by Malcolm Turnbull that the trilateral AUKUS agreement to obtain a fleet of nuclear submarines would undermine Australian sovereignty.

Retired Rear Admiral Clarke said Australia “cannot do everything ourselves” and the nation had “alliances, agreements and treaties so we get greater benefit from the amalgamation of skills and knowledge and technical ability of our allies”.

He said the AUKUS agreement was aimed at “developing and growing and maintaining” the skills needed to operate and maintain nuclear submarines in Australia.

“It will take a decade to get this sorted out,” he said. “It’s just ­absolute nonsense to say it would adversely affect Australian sovereignty.”

Mr Turnbull took to Twitter on Monday, saying it was completely overlooked in Australia that ­“nuclear-powered submarines to be acquired from the US will not be able to be operated or maintained without the supervision of the US Navy”.

The former prime minister added: “AUKUS is a worthwhile and natural enhancement of ­already intimate security and intelligence relationships but the submarine element of the agreement delays vital capabilities and diminishes Australian sovereignty.”

The debate over AUKUS has been reignited after the heads of the US Senate armed services committee – Democrat Jack Reed and Republican James Inhofe – advised against supplying Australia with off-the-shelf nuclear-powered submarines in a letter to Joe Biden.

They warned that the AUKUS pact risked stretching the nation’s industrial base “to breaking point”.

Anthony Albanese said on Monday he was confident the government could deliver a ­submarine capability that “serves Australia’s national defence interests” and those of the US and UK.

“That’s what the whole point of the AUKUS arrangement is – to recognise that through co-operation in our defence systems we can … be stronger,” the Prime Minister told the ABC’s 7.30.

Mr Albanese said he wanted nuclear submarines to be manufactured in Australia, providing an assurance that “Australia’s sovereign interest will be protected.”

He also said that senior members of the US administration had been “extremely positive” towards the ambition of the AUKUS framework to deliver a nuclear submarine fleet to Australia and that the proposal enjoyed the support of Joe Biden.

Rear Admiral Clarke said while Mr Turnbull’s comments were “bizarre” and “unhelpful”, the warnings about America’s defence industry being stretched showed Australia’s quest to obtain nuclear-powered submarines was “not going to be easy”.

“Of course it will stretch US industrial capability,” he said.

“That’s why we need to have this agreement and why we need to work together.”

Tom Corben, a research fellow at the US Studies ­Centre, said Australia did not have the “luxury that a great power like the US has in terms of being able to build, maintain and operate all our military capabilities on our own”.

“When you are talking about Australian sovereignty in terms of its defence capabilities, it’s never going to be absolute,” he said.

But Mr Corben said concerns about AUKUS aired in the letter to Mr Biden would be viewed with interest by the President.

“Biden will be taking very seriously the views of two of the leading national security figures in the US congress when it comes to submarines and what it means for AUKUS,” Mr Corben said.

“People who expected either explicitly or implicitly that the US would simply give us or sell us a submarine off their production lines with their capacity limited … didn’t really appreciate or weren’t aware of the significant strain the US industrial base is under.”

Euan Graham, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said arguments that AUKUS would diminish Australia’s sovereignty were like saying the ANZUS treaty was a threat to Australia’s autonomy.

“The price of gaining access to US and UK nuclear propulsion technology means structural reliance on them as long-term suppliers. That comes with the AUKUS arrangement and ANZUS,” he said.

“However, I would not equate that with diminished sovereignty.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/retired-admiral-sinks-turnbull-sovereignty-fear/news-story/f25192f9fcf2950bdd38f38a84e3fe58

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18115494 (100837ZJAN23) Notable: AUKUS subs warning ‘inaccurate portrayal’: Democrat congressman Joe Courtney, senior member of the House of Representatives Sea Power committee - One of the strongest supporters of the AUKUS security pact in the US congress has urged “everyone to take a deep breath”, amid growing fears US shipyards won’t have the capacity to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines before the nation has the capacity to build them itself

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>>129603

>>129609

AUKUS subs warning ‘inaccurate portrayal’: Sea Power committee member

ADAM CREIGHTON - JANUARY 10, 2023

One of the strongest supporters of the AUKUS security pact in the US congress has urged “everyone to take a deep breath”, amid growing fears US shipyards won’t have the capacity to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines before the nation has the capacity to build them itself.

Democrat congressman Joe Courtney, a senior member of the House of Representatives Sea Power committee, told The Australian on Monday (Tuesday AEDT) that a leaked letter from two US senators to President Joe Biden, which argued building submarines for Australia could “stress the US submarine industrial base to breaking point”, was inaccurate.

“The impression being conveyed in the letter was that a production slowdown was somehow an immutable dynamic and I think that’s a very inaccurate portrayal of what’s actually happening out there,” Mr Courtney, whose Connecticut seat encompasses a big chunk of US submarine building, said.

“It was not a letter that the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee were aware of until really about 24 hours before it was leaked,” he told The Australian, adding that the letter was likely “done in isolation by the two senators and their staff”.

The letter in question, by Democratic Senator Jack Reed and outgoing Republican Senator James Inhofe, the two most senior figures on the Senate Armed Services Committee, emerged last week in a US trade publication, prompting the Prime Minister and Defence Minister to insist the submarines were on track.

“There really is a shared sense of mission between the US and UK and Australia in seeing Australia acquire this capability,” said Defence Minister Richard Marles, who visited Washington DC and US shipyards late last year.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin promised Mr Marles the US would not leave Australia exposed to a looming capability gap as navy’s ageing Collins class diesel-powered submarines become obsolete.

“We’re still three months away from the big reveal … everyone should take a deep breath and let them finish the process,” Mr Courtney said, adding that recent legislation in congress to allow Australian sailors to train on US submarines should be cause for celebration of AUKUS progress so far.

A group of supporters of AUKUS in Congress, both Republican and Democrat, would shortly issue a statement reiterating their confidence in the AUKUS process, he added.

“There’s no question that the Covid impact on defence manufacturing has slowed production down, but having said that the submarine industry delivered two submarines 2022 and is slated to deliver two this year,” Mr Courtney said.

The cost and production schedule of the eight nuclear powered submarines promised to Australia under AUKUS in the September 2021 agreement remain unclear ahead of the government’s promised release of the details early this year.

Former prime minster Malcolm Turnbull later chimed on the submarines debate, arguing acquisition of US nuclear submarine technology would undermine Australian sovereignty, a claim dismissed as “complete nonsense” by retired admiral Peter Clarke, as reported in The Australian.

“It will take a decade to get this sorted out,” Mr Clarke told The Australian. “It’s just absolute nonsense to say it would adversely affect Australian sovereignty.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/defence/aukus-subs-warning-inaccurate-portrayal-sea-power-committee-member/news-story/f496ac2a61233805390dac53333ea184

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18115506 (100844ZJAN23) Notable: Memo PM: on AUKUS, you need to lead it or lose it - Albanese needs to be more energised about the risks to AUKUS, and hence to his prime ministership, than was on display at last Saturday’s media conference. He foreshadowed a meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, “who I will meet with again in the first half of the year”, but there was no mention of further engagement with Biden, the essential figure in AUKUS success. - Peter Jennings - theaustralian.com.au

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>>129604

Memo PM: on AUKUS, you need to lead it or lose it

PETER JENNINGS - JANUARY 10, 2023

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On the Australia-US alliance, leaders in both countries always say relations have never been better. We celebrate a century of mateship built on battlefield co-operation with a big appetite for chin-quivering rhetoric about fighting our enemies “shoulder to shoulder”.

The talk is mostly true. It enables a depth of defence and security co-operation few countries even understand, let alone could copy.

But don’t be fooled. There are limits to co-operation set by national interest. Both countries have unspoken fears about each other.

Australian strategists worry about America’s isolationist instincts, which are never far below the surface.

The Indo-Pacific is on a 1930s-style slide to high risk and low security. While Canberra obsesses about how to stabilise its relations with China, our profoundly more important relationship with the US is often taken for granted.

We need to watch for signs of American concern about Australia, and one has just been delivered in the form of a letter to President Joe Biden from two highly important US senators.

Democrat Jack Reed is the chairman of the Senate armed services committee and, until his retirement from the Senate this week, James Inhofe was the committee’s Republican ranking member. They are serious and influential figures in Washington, running one of the most important congressional committees.

Their letter asks Biden to make “a sober assessment of the facts to avoid stressing the US submarine industrial base to the breaking point”.

“We are concerned that what was initially touted as a ‘do no harm’ opportunity to support Australia and the United Kingdom and build long-term competitive advantages for the US and its Pacific allies may be turning into a zero-sum game for scarce, highly advanced US SSNs.”

The worry is that America’s two submarine construction yards can’t meet the US Navy’s demands for new boats while China is rapidly expanding its surface and sub-surface fleets. This “would make the US Navy less capable of meeting sovereign wartime and peacetime requirements”.

A second concern is that “just as the submarine industrial base constraints are real, so are statutory and regulatory constraints. We still have little understanding of what … permissions or waivers would be needed to realise the AUKUS SSN (nuclear submarine) options.”

Reed and Inhofe warn: “These permissions or waivers are a serious matter and should not be taken for granted in negotiating any agreements.”

Australia’s political leaders dismissed any likely risks to delivering in March the plan for Australia’s preferred “optimal pathway” to nuclear-propelled submarines. Speaking last Saturday, Anthony Albanese saw nothing to be concerned about. He mentioned his meetings with Biden in Tokyo, Madrid, London and Bali, and said Australia had been “engaging very closely on ensuring that the optimal pathway is delivered”.

At the same press conference, Richard Marles said: “Last year, I met with senators Reed and In­hofe. They are both very strong supporters of Australia and really I have no doubt, at the end of the day, that we will be able to deliver this with support across the political systems of both the United States and the United Kingdom.”

What else could they say? Our political leaders most invested in delivering the AUKUS plan have little public option at this point other than to stay the rhetorical course.

Our senior officials will be telling the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister that everything is on track because, at officials’ level, it probably is. Defence always suffers from a conspiracy of optimism to deliver complex projects.

Politicians should be more worried. Reed remains chairman of the armed services committee. Inhofe will be replaced by an equally capable senior Republican. When people of this calibre sound warnings, the right Australian response is to listen and to actively address the concerns.

What are the American doubts about Australia and AUKUS delivery? The essence is this: US leaders will put their own military needs first. Congress knows of a strong view in the US Navy questioning Australia’s capacity to step up to build and operate uniquely complex nuclear-propelled submarines.

The US will worry, too, about Australia’s ability to protect critical nuclear propulsion information from Chinese spying. Only once before has America shared this technology – with Britain in the late 1950s. It took congress a decade to amend the McMahon Atomic Energy Act to allow that co-operation.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18128882 (120720ZJAN23) Notable: US politicians express strong support for AUKUS submarine deal in letter to President Joe Biden - A bipartisan group of United States politicians have publicly thrown their weight behind the AUKUS pact after two powerful US Senators warned that selling Virginia-class nuclear submarines to Australia could stretch the US industrial base to "breaking point."

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>>129603

>>129613

US politicians express strong support for AUKUS submarine deal in letter to President Joe Biden

Andrew Greene and Stephen Dziedzic - 12 January 2023

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A bipartisan group of United States politicians have publicly thrown their weight behind the AUKUS pact after two powerful US Senators warned that selling Virginia-class nuclear submarines to Australia could stretch the US industrial base to "breaking point."

Last week a US Defence news website revealed that the Democratic chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Jack Reed, and a former Republican colleague had urged the US president not to sell US built submarines to Australia under the partnership.

While the Australia, the United Kingdom and the US will only announce the pathway for Australia to obtain nuclear-powered submarines in March, there has been speculation that the Biden administration may sell or transfer a small number of nuclear-powered boats to the Albanese government to ensure it doesn't face a "capability gap" when the Collins class subs retire.

"Over the past year, we have grown more concerned about the state of the US submarine industrial base as well as its ability to support the desired AUKUS SSN [nuclear subs] end state," Democratic Senator Jack Reed and the now retired Republican senator James Inhofe wrote.

In the correspondence dated December 21, which was later leaked, the pair was quoted as saying "we believe current conditions require a sober assessment of the facts to avoid stressing the US submarine industrial base to the breaking point".

On Monday, Senator Reed seemed to partly moderate his position, publicly declaring his support for the partnership that was struck in September 2021 by US President Joe Biden, along with former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison and former UK leader Boris Johnson.

"I'm proud to support AUKUS, the United States' historic military agreement with the UK and Australia," the Senate Armed Services Committee chairman tweeted.

"This powerful partnership is central to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific, dramatically improving the capabilities of our allies, and increasing our engagement in the region."

Now a group of nine Republican and Democratic congressional representatives have also weighed into the public debate, writing to President Joe Biden to back AUKUS, and championing the idea of the US providing submarines directly to Australia.

"Far from a zero-sum game, the potential for the United States to provide or build new submarines under AUKUS, should that be the recommendation of the trilateral consultation, could very well be a 'rising tide that lifts all boats'," the letter said.

While Senators Reed and Inhofe warned that eroding industrial capability was already stretching the US capability to the point where it would struggle to meet its own military requirements, the Congressional representatives said AUKUS could provide a fresh infusion of cash to help it ramp up production.

"While it is essential to maintain a minimum of two submarines a year for the United States to meet our national security requirements, we are supportive of expanding the industrial base to meet AUKUS expectations," the US politicians wrote.

"We particularly believe that an expansion of our industrial base beyond two submarines would support the early provisioning of existing Virginia class submarines to be made available concurrent with the retirement of the Collins class attack submarines."

On Tuesday, China's ambassador to Canberra used a rare media appearance to publicly denounce the AUKUS deal, warning it would be an "unnecessary consumption of the Australian taxpayers' money".

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18128956 (120809ZJAN23) Notable: Neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell’s vile act outside court after sentence for assault on Nine Network security guard - A Melbourne neo-Nazi who violently assaulted a black security guard performed a Nazi salute outside court moments after avoiding jail time for his “sickening” crime

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>>>/qresearch/17985903 (pb)

Neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell’s vile act outside court after sentence for assault on Nine Network security guard

A neo-Nazi who assaulted a security guard outside Channel 9’s Melbourne HQ has learnt his fate in court, before performing a vile act outside the building.

Hugo Timms - January 12, 2023

A Melbourne neo-Nazi who violently assaulted a black security guard performed a Nazi salute outside court moments after avoiding jail time for his “sickening” crime.

Thomas Sewell, who founded the far-right European Australia Movement, repeatedly punched a security guard in the head outside Nine Network’s Docklands headquarters in March 2021 after Sewell and a friend, who was filming Sewell, were asked to leave the building.

Sewell, 29 and of Balwyn North, was found guilty of affray and recklessly causing injury in December, with the court rejecting his claim of self-defence.

Sewell and Jacob Hersant were asked to stop filming inside Nine’s studio, where they had arrived to confront producers from A Current Affair.

Sewell told the court at an earlier date that the pair had sought the producers after learning the program was due to air a show on his group in which they were labelled as terrorists.

“These people are manipulating public opinion against any white person in this country that are advocates for the white population,” Sewell says in the video taken by Mr Hersant.

“Sorry, you can’t film in the building,” the security guard says after walking over.

When Sewell and Mr Hersant left the building followed by the victim, Mr Hersant began to film the victim and said “Dance monkey, dance.”

“Watch yourself bro, I’m not a dance monkey,” the victim said, before the pair began to push one another.

At this point Sewell jumped in and landed a flurry of punches, causing the security guard to fall back and hit his head on the pavement.

In December, Magistrate Stephen Ballek referred to the remark preceding the assault as a “disgusting racial taunt” and on Wednesday, said the footage was “sickening to watch”.

On Thursday, Sewell told the court that he would be “very happy with a fine” and asked the court not to impose a conviction.

He said he had no prior criminal record, had served as a rifleman in the Australian Defence Force, had worked with disadvantaged children as a charity worker and was currently an apprentice.

Sewell submitted three character references and said he worked full time and financially supported his fiance, who he said was 36 weeks pregnant.

He said his actions “would have been the same” regardless of the “race or culture” of the victim.

The prosecution said Sewell was guilty of an “egregious” and “violent” act, which compelled the court to impose a term of imprisonment.

In sentencing Sewell, His Honour Ballek said he believed there was a racist aspect to the offending, but could not find the assault was racially motivated.

“(The victim) had no time to defend himself,” His Honour Ballek said, adding that the security guard was looking at Mr Hersant when Sewell landed six blows to his face which were described as “brutal in force, speed and repetition.”

His Honour Ballek said a Community Corrections Order (CCO) was in range considering factors such as Sewell’s lack of prior convictions and previous good character.

Sewell, who also received a criminal conviction, was ordered to perform 150 hours of community service.

https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/courts-law/neonazi-thomas-sewells-vile-act-outside-court-after-sentence-for-assault-on-nine-network-security-guard/news-story/ca6ea5e575a9a4c05623468af77d1fc2

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18128995 (120833ZJAN23) Notable: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese keen to strengthen ties in first visit to Papua New Guinea - PNG Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko said that with the new Australian government, PNG sees a "brighter light" and expects "more partnership", which he believes will make the relationship "bigger and better than it has been before"

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese keen to strengthen ties in first visit to Papua New Guinea

Natalie Whiting and Stephen Dziedzic - 12 January 2023

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Anthony Albanese will touch down in Papua New Guinea's capital today; the first Australian prime minister to visit the country in more than four years.

Australian flags have been hoisted across Port Moresby, and Mr Albanese's face has been put up on billboards, alongside PNG Prime Minister James Marape's.

At a time when Australia is keen to strengthen ties and push the two nations' "special relationship", COVID-19 and elections in both countries have delayed a top-level visit until now.

Mr Albanese has a busy two-day schedule, which will include giving an address to PNG's parliament — the first foreign leader to ever do so.

"That is an extraordinary honour for Australia and one I regard as … one of the great honours of my life," Mr Albanese told journalists yesterday.

The prime minister will use the speech to reflect on PNG's journey of independence from Australian colonial rule, saying independence "was not Australia's gift to give" but "the people of Papua New Guinea's right to assert".

"Australia and Papua New Guinea are bound not just by a shared past and a shared border but by a common determination to shape our own futures," Mr Albanese will say.

"As two big Pacific Ocean states, Australia and PNG must work as equals with our fellow Pacific states to build a stronger, safer, more secure region."

It will also be Mr Marape's first time hosting an Australian leader since he took on the top job in 2019.

PNG Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko said that with the new Australian government, PNG sees a "brighter light" and expects "more partnership", which he believes will make the relationship "bigger and better than it has been before".

"The prime minister [James Marape] is keen to improve and enhance the relationship with Australia under the leadership of the [new] prime minister of Australia," he said.

"So, it's all about strengthening ties, building independent economic capacity for Papua New Guinea [and] strengthening our security in the region."

Regional security in focus

Security is set to be a key talking point during the visit, with the two leaders expected to progress a defence treaty between the countries — although it is not yet clear if they will sign an interim document or the final agreement.

Australia and PNG have long shared a close defence relationship, and that was elevated in 2018 when Australia and the US committed to fund the redevelopment of the strategically positioned Lombrum Naval Base in Manus, in a move largely seen as designed to block any potential Chinese interest.

Both Mr Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles have made it clear that they would like to expand Australia's training programs for PNG troops.

Australia has also been exploring ways it can help PNG develop its fledgling air force.

While discussions around defence and security often focus on the broader Pacific, PNG also faces some severe domestic security challenges.

The country has extensive land and maritime borders and large fishing territories which it does not have the capacity to properly patrol.

PNG has also been plagued by significant law and order problems, an issue highlighted during the recent election period when political and tribal violence was estimated to have displaced 89,000 people.

In his speech to parliament, Mr Albanese will declare that the treaty will be "based on deep trust" and "build on the family-first approach to regional security".

He will also say it will "underpin our work together to address PNG's priority needs including law and order challenges, strengthening the justice system and rule of law".

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18135941 (131106ZJAN23) Notable: PNG security deal to push Beijing back - Australia will sign a new security pact with Papua New Guinea by June, as the two countries agree to move more quickly to push back against China’s regional ambitions and address entrenched law and order struggles facing the Pacific nation

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>>129618

PNG security deal to push Beijing back

TOM MCILROY - JANUARY 12, 2023

Australia will sign a new security pact with Papua New Guinea by June, as the two countries agree to move more quickly to push back against China’s regional ambitions and address entrenched law and order struggles facing the ­Pacific nation.

On the first day of a landmark visit, Anthony Albanese and PNG Prime Minister James Marape signed a joint statement promising negotiations on the bilateral security agreement would wrap up by April 30, with the new pact due to come into force by the ­middle of the year.

The treaty will follow similar Pacific agreements, including one signed with Vanuatu in December, and comes as China seeks to control sensitive infrastructure projects in PNG. Beijing is funding a new military hospital at Taurama Barracks in Port Moresby, prompting fears it could establish a military presence to Australia’s immediate north.

A joint statement said the new agreement would enable both countries to protect and enhance their independence, sovereignty and resilience, while also addressing “non-traditional security challenges” such as climate change, cybersecurity threats, and economic coercion.

Increased defence co-operation is expected, with a focus on training, personnel capacity and possible joint exercises.

The Prime Minister and Mr Marape said decisions taken by one country affected the security of the other, and pledged more regular sharing of information on threats and strategic challenges. Speaking after one-on-one talks and a meeting with senior ministers, Mr Marape, PNG’s Prime Minister since 2019, denied China was a factor in the new agreement.

He did not rule out any formal agreement with Beijing, or new Chinese-backed projects in PNG.

“Those were not issues before us, in as far as our discussions were concerned,” he said.

“The PNG-China relationship remains the PNG-China relationship. At no instance was China or any other nation brought into the picture.

“Our relationship with Australia is particularly unique. Every other nation understands this.”

Australian officials consider PNG a gap in the suite of regional security partnerships and are being pushed by Mr Albanese to quickly finalise a deal, taking advantage of a workable political window in both countries this year.

A second joint statement by the two leaders highlighted the need for more effective law and order capacity in PNG, including a strong justice and police system.

Currently, Australia supports the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary through a $144m grant.

Australia will also work to boost PNG’s participation in Pacific labour mobility schemes, as Mr Marape seeks to have as many as 8000 of his citizens working across the Torres Strait.

Ministers in Canberra and Port Moresby will be tasked with finding ways to speed up labour sharing opportunities, and reciprocal work and holiday visa ­arrangements will be put in place from July 1 this year.

Mr Albanese became the first foreign leader to address the PNG parliament on Thursday, describing the two countries as “the greatest of friends”.

PNG is also the largest recipient of Australian aid, worth $602m in 2022-23, and making up more than 30 per cent of Australian aid to the Pacific region.

He called on Australian business to boost investments in PNG. “We want you to invest here, in your interests, but also in the interests of lifting the living standards of people in PNG,” he said.

Mr Marape praised his Australian counterpart’s comments on economic development.

“There are more Australian investors here in this country than anywhere else on the face of the planet. He is not wasting time,” Mr Marape said.

Mr Albanese said he wanted to see a PNG-based, Pacific Islander team compete in the National Rugby League competition.

After a state dinner on Thursday, the Prime Minister was due to fly to Wewak on Friday morning to visit the gravesite of PNG founding father Michael Somare.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/png-security-deal-to-push-beijing-back/news-story/4e782a572f34227093891730354d0a8f

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18153811 (160827ZJAN23) Notable: Albanese confident US powerbrokers will keep faith in AUKUS - Anthony Albanese is directly lobbying members of US congress to hold the line in supporting the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal as it comes under criticism in America, calling the pact essential in strengthening Australia’s defence capabilities

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>>129603

>>129615

Albanese confident US powerbrokers will keep faith in AUKUS

GREG BROWN - JANUARY 16, 2023

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Anthony Albanese is directly lobbying members of US congress to hold the line in supporting the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal as it comes under criticism in America, calling the pact essential in strengthening Australia’s defence capabilities.

In an interview with The Australian on his priorities for the year, the Prime Minister also vowed to continue improving relations with China in 2023 after his successful meetings with Beijing’s paramount leader, Xi Jinping, last year. While the government is moving to improve relations with China, it is also focused on bolstering military capacity to respond to Beijing’s attempts to exert strategic influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

In the first quarter of the year, the government will choose a preferred nuclear submarine partner under the AUKUS deal and ­release a review into military capabilities, led by former defence minister Stephen Smith and former ADF chief Angus Houston.

Mr Albanese said he was confident US President Joe Biden would stick with the AUKUS agreement despite domestic political pressure.

“I’m confident that this is a good agreement, not just for Australia, but a good agreement for the United States and for the United Kingdom,” Mr Albanese said.

“It is in our common interest that by strengthening each other’s defence capacities, you end up with a much greater outcome for all three countries as well as collectively.”

Earlier this month, heads of the US Senate armed services committee warned Mr Biden the AUKUS deal could become “a zero-sum game” for the allocation of “scarce, highly advanced” US ­nuclear boats.

Democrat Jack Reed and ­Republican James Inhofe called for a “sober assessment” of the agreement between the US, Australia and Britain, and explicitly warned against selling Australia submarines off the production line to meet the capacity gap that Canberra faces, with newly built boats not expected to be operational until the 2040s. In a leaked letter to Mr Biden, Senator Reed and Senator Inhofe warned that the AUKUS pact risked stretching the nation’s industrial base “to breaking point”.

The Prime Minister said he was engaging with members of the US congress over the deal, and ­declared the issues being raised at home and abroad were “legitimate” and being worked through.

“The concerns that were raised about workforce capacity and sovereign capability are legitimate ones that I would expect people in the United States in significant positions to raise, just like we are making sure that Australia’s national sovereignty is looked after as well,” Mr Albanese said.

“I’m sure our counterparts in the United Kingdom (are doing) the same thing.

“I have met members of the Senate, in the congress, here in Australia and engaged with them directly and in a really positive manner. Australia’s standing of course is, I think, very important. We are reliable partners and that is why that engagement is important.

“I’m confident going forward that we will have a positive outcome.”

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18153844 (160838ZJAN23) Notable: Senior military leader concerned by Canada's absence from American-British-Australian security pact - Canada could miss out on important technology, says Vice-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie - There are concerns at the highest levels of the Canadian Armed Forces that this country won't have access to the same cutting-edge military technology as its closest allies because it is not part of a security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States

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Senior military leader concerned by Canada's absence from American-British-Australian security pact

Canada could miss out on important technology, says Vice-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie

Lee Berthiaume - Jan 15, 2023

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There are concerns at the highest levels of the Canadian Armed Forces that this country won't have access to the same cutting-edge military technology as its closest allies because it is not part of a security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The trilateral treaty, nicknamed "AUKUS" after the three countries involved, was announced in September 2021 in what many have seen as a bid to counter China's growing military presence in the Indo-Pacific region, where Canada has growing economic and security interests.

While much of the attention around the pact has centred on American and British plans to provide nuclear submarine technology to Australia, Vice-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie told The Canadian Press in a recent interview that isn't the whole story.

Auchterlonie is the commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command. In that role, he is responsible for managing dozens of military operations at home and abroad while closely monitoring the threats and challenges facing Canada and the Armed Forces.

"The fact is that [nuclear submarine] technology has existed for a while, so the sharing of that is not a big deal," he said.

"The issue is when you start talking about advanced technology in terms of the artificial-intelligence domain, machine learning, quantum, all of these things that really matter moving forward. Those are conversations we need to be in on. And the issue is: Why are we not included in this? Is it resistance to get involved? Is it policy restrictions that we have? Or are we just not going to invest? That's the question. So it is a significant concern."

The federal Liberal government has not said why Canada is not part of AUKUS, or even whether it was invited, with Defence Minister Anita Anand's office again sidestepping the question last week.

Anand's spokesperson Daniel Minden instead referred to Canada's participation in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, which includes Australia, the United Kingdom, the U.S. and New Zealand, as well as the North American Aerospace Defence Command and the NATO military alliance.

"Through the Five Eyes and our bilateral partnerships, we will continue to work with our closest allies to keep Canadians safe," Minden said in an email.

The Australian High Commission and U.S. Embassy in Ottawa referred questions to their respective capitals. The British High Commission did not respond to a request for comment.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18153870 (160853ZJAN23) Notable: Operation Ironside: Authorities closing in on the international drug-smuggling operations of Australia’s most wanted man, Hakan Ayik, and his offsider Duax Ngakuru, the global boss of the Comanchero outlaw motorcycle gang

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Net closing on drug kingpin and Comanchero bikie boss mate

ELLEN WHINNETT - JANUARY 16, 2023

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Authorities are closing in on the international drug-smuggling operations of Australia’s most wanted man, Hakan Ayik, and his offsider, the global boss of the ­Comanchero outlaw motorcycle gang, in Turkey.

Rumours swirled on Sunday that Duax Ngakuru – a New Zealand-born, Australian-raised drug smuggler recently elevated to international supreme comman­der of the Comanchero – had been detained by Turkish police.

Ayik and Ngakuru, who met in high school in Sydney, were photographed together outside the Kings Cross Hotel in Istanbul, which is owned by Ayik and operates as the headquarters of the Aussie Cartel, a group of Australian drug smugglers and gangsters linked to the Comanchero.

The previously unseen photograph, a selfie, was taken by Ayik in 2020 and posted on the encrypted AN0M app, which was being secretly monitored by police.

AFP assistant commissioner Nigel Ryan warned it was only a matter of time before police caught up with those hiding offshore and running criminal cartels targeting Australia.

“Organised crime figures who think they can fly under the radar in another country, while they continue to make money from trafficking dangerous drugs into Australia, should realise they have a real and genuine problem,’’ he told The Australian.

“Countries around the world have indicated to the AFP they are taking action against people using or thinking of using their countries as a safe haven.

“Turkey is a regional leader in the fight against transnational serious organised crime groups, and among numerous law enforcement agencies of other countries working with the AFP through our international network to create a hostile environment for groups with Australian links.

“This co-operation includes intelligence sharing on an unprecedented level, joint targeting operations and actively working to identify people in those countries who seek to exploit Australian communities.’’

The Australian can reveal Ngakuru and another exiled ­Comanchero, Ray Cilli, are trying to locate the multimillion-dollar assets of jailed former comrade Mark Buddle, as an international leadership struggle engulfs the outlaw motorcycle gang.

Ngakuru stepped into the leadership vacuum at the top of the Comanchero hierarchy after Buddle was deported from Turkish-controlled Northern Cyprus last year.

International law enforcement sources said Ayik was the puppetmaster pulling the strings of former high school buddy Ngakuru, who declared himself supreme commander of the Comanchero following Buddle’s deportation to Australia, where he is facing charges alleging he was involved in smuggling $40m worth of cocaine into Melbourne in 2021.

Ngakuru and Ayik, a Turkish-Australian who renounced his Australian citizenship in a so-far successful bid to avoid extradition to Australia, remain close, consorting together in Turkey.

However, Ayik has expressed concern about Ngakuru’s activities in Asia, taking to AN0M to complain to his nephew, Erkan Dogan, about Ngakuru’s plans to travel to Thailand.

In correspondence on AN0M, seen by The Australian, Ayik snapped a photo of Ngakuru seemingly engrossed in his phone, and sent it to Dogan. The photo appears to have been taken at a dinner in 2019 in Turkey.

Ayik sent the message to Dogan, saying: “He made a comment that he’s off to Phuket tomorrow while he’s on a good wicket. I didn’t know how to take that What good wicket are you talking about you dumb f..k.”

Dogan replied, “Let them do their thing We’ll do ours”.

Ayik replied to his nephew: “We don’t need them cuz we know who our team are’’, with three emojis of fingers crossed, hands in prayer and a thumbs up.

Dogan told Ayik: “We don’t need them and we don’t want these pieces of …”, ending with an emoji of a pile of excrement.

Law enforcement sources said the correspondence came at a time when Ayik, who considers himself in control of the Australian drug market, was upset to have been left out of a drug-smuggling operation in 2019.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18160286 (170835ZJAN23) Notable: Retired Major General, Senator Jim Molan dies aged 72 - Jim Molan, the architect of the nation’s Operation Sovereign Borders policy and NSW Liberal senator, has died aged 72 - The former major general in the Australian Army passed away surrounded by family after a two-year battle with cancer

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Retired Major General, Senator Jim Molan dies aged 72

MAX MADDISON and LAURA PLACELLA - JANUARY 17, 2023

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Jim Molan, the architect of the nation’s Operation Sovereign Borders policy and NSW Liberal senator, has died aged 72.

The former major general in the Australian Army passed away surrounded by family after a two-year battle with cancer.

A statement from Mr Molan’s family said he had suffered a “sudden and rapid” decline after Christmas before dying peacefully on Monday, surrounded by his family.

“With profound sadness, we share that following a sudden and rapid decline in health after Christmas. Jim died peacefully on January 16 in the arms of his family,” the statement read.

“He was many things: a soldier, a pilot, an author, a volunteer firefighter and a senator.

“Most of all, he was an adored husband, father, grandfather and brother.

“Our loss is immeasurable but we are confident in our memories of a full life courageously lived, devoted to family and in service of the country that he loved.

“We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and for respecting our privacy at this difficult time.”

Born in east Melbourne in 1950, Molan’s illustrious, 40-year career in the Australian Defence Force began after graduating from the Royal Military College in Duntroon in the 1970s, rising to serve as a colonel in Jakarta; and as a brigadier during his service in East Timor.

He was deployed to serve in Iraq as chief of operations for the coalition forces in 2004 after the US-led invasion. The three-star commander’s experience in the Middle East led him to write a book criticising Australia’s ability to engage in military conflict.

Molan was appointed an officer of the Order of Australia in 2000.

One of Molan’s first major roles in politics was his appointment by then opposition leader Tony Abbott to head the Coalition’s“Operation Sovereign Borders” campaign to stop asylum-seekers arriving by boat – what Abbott characterised as a “national emergency”

Mr Abbott’s ultimate success in toppling Kevin Rudd at the 2013 federal election, led to Molan becoming the architect of the nation’s controversial but ultimately successful border policy.

Molan defended the government’s use of offshore detention centres like Nauru and Manus Island to process refugees, telling Q&A in 2016 the facilities were “so far ahead of refugee camps throughout the world that it is not funny”.

In 2016, Molan was selected as a NSW Liberal senate candidate but in the unwinnable 7th position. Despite picking up the second highest number of first preference votes of the 12 Liberal and National Party candidates, Molan failed to be elected into parliament, what Mr Abbott described as a “tragedy for our country and for our party”.

The eligibility crisis of 2017 saw Molan elected to the senate after Nationals senator Fiona Nash was forced to resign due to her dual British Citizenship. But his tenure in parliament appeared to be in jeopardy after he once again landed in an unelectable position on the Coalition’s 2019 senate ticket.

But the resignation of Arthur Sinodinos after his appointment as the Australian Ambassador to the US created another opening for Molan, who was appointed to serve the remainder of his Liberal colleagues six-year term.

On his third attempt – one year after being diagnosed with an “aggressive” cancer – Molan successfully navigated another NSW Liberal senate preselection, this time displacing conservative senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Senator Molan, describing him on Twitter as a “man of conviction.”

“Jim Molan lived his life in service of our country. He was a man of principle and a politician of conviction. My condolences to his loved ones, colleagues and friends,” Mr Albanese wrote.

Mr Abbott said Molan’s fight was “Never about him - always for the cause.”

“There are too few people in public life prepared to buck the prevailing orthodoxy,” Mr Abbott tweeted. “That’s why he will be so missed.”

Former prime minister John Howard expressed his “sorrow at the death of Senator Jim Molan” saying that he was an energetic and passionate Australian who had “given so much to his country.”

“His distinguished military career culminated in being Chief of Operations for Coalition Forces in Iraq, giving him oversight of a multi-national force of more than 300,000 personnel,” Mr Howard said.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18160315 (170856ZJAN23) Notable: Russian and Belarusian flags banned at Australian Open after controversy during Ukrainian's match - The presence of a Russian flag in the stands at the Australian Open has prompted organisers to ban them from Melbourne Park - The red, white and blue stripes of the Russian flag were visible in the crowd during the first-round match between Kateryna Baindl and Kamilla Rakhimova on day one of the tennis major

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Russian and Belarusian flags banned at Australian Open after controversy during Ukrainian's match

abc.net.au - 17 January 2023

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The presence of a Russian flag in the stands at the Australian Open has prompted organisers to ban them from Melbourne Park.

The red, white and blue stripes of the Russian flag were visible in the crowd during the first-round match between Kateryna Baindl and Kamilla Rakhimova on day one of the tennis major.

Tennis Australia (TA) said the display during the Baindl-Rakhimova match prompted a change to its policy at the tournament.

"Flags from Russia and Belarus are banned onsite at the Australian Open," TA said in a statement.

"Our initial policy was that fans could bring them in but could not use them to cause disruption. Yesterday we had an incident where a flag was placed courtside.

"The ban is effective immediately.

"We will continue to work with the players and our fans to ensure the best possible environment to enjoy the tennis."

Ukraine's Baindl defeated Russia's Rakhimova 7-5, 6-7(8/10), 6-1 on court 14, where viewers saw a Russian flag hanging on a fence during the match.

On the same day the ban was announced, a Russian flag was held up by fans in the stands at John Cain Arena during the match between Russian Andrey Rublev and Austria's Dominic Thiem.

That match started before the ban was in place and finished after it was announced.

Belarusian fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka said she respected TA's decision.

"If everyone feels better this way, then it's OK," she said,

"I have zero control on it. What can I say? They did it, OK? No flags, no flags."

Russian and Belarusian opponents have not been able to play under their countries' flags in a number of sports, including tennis, since the invasion of Ukraine began in February last year.

Ukraine Ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko said the Russian flag is a symbol of the "all the atrocities that Ukrainians have to go through."

"It was a very emotional moment for the tennis player but everybody who could see it, more so, we've learned that those Russians were not just displaying the flag but they were also mocking the Ukrainian player," he said.

Myroshnychenko said he welcomed the decision to ban the Russian and Belarusian flags from Melbourne Park.

"It's always good to learn from mistakes and to actually try to fix it … I think that it's important they will enforce it because it's a great deal of distraction as well as a traumatising experience," he said.

"They could have avoided it from the very beginning if they had banned Russian participation from the very beginning but they didn't. We're going to be seeing more of that throughout the competition, unfortunately."

He said he'd like to see the ban extended to include Russian symbols in any form.

"To say that sport is beyond politics is just not true, and everybody knows it," Mr Myroshnychenko said.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18166750 (180821ZJAN23) Notable: Hundreds of thousands told they can ‘swap the date’ and work Australia Day - Hundreds of thousands of workers across the public and private sectors will be given the option to work on Australia Day instead of celebrating the public holiday as the national debate intensifies about the appropriateness of celebrating the 1788 arrival of the first fleet

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>>129611

Hundreds of thousands told they can ‘swap the date’ and work Australia Day

Angus Thompson and Tom Rabe - January 18, 2023

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Hundreds of thousands of workers across the public and private sectors will be given the option to work on Australia Day instead of celebrating the public holiday as the national debate intensifies about the appropriateness of celebrating the 1788 arrival of the first fleet.

Woolworths, which employs 160,000 people across the country, has told its staff they can choose to work on January 26 and take another off at the discretion of their manager as it was “up to each team member to mark the day as it suits them”, while universities are negotiating the arrangement with their 130,000-strong workforce.

But the National Tertiary Education Union is one of few unions advocating for staff to be given the option to work in a push being mostly led by corporate Australia.

Scott Connolly, the deputy head of the ACTU, said the movement was “looking forward to the national conversation on the Voice later this year”.

Campaigns to change the date have gained momentum in recent years and protest rallies and ceremonies marking the date as Invasion Day or Survival Day are now annual fixtures.

While Morrison-era requirements that citizenship ceremonies could only be held on January 26, were overturned late last year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denied the government was preparing to scrap Australia Day.

After the government overturned a ban on the Commonwealth public service substituting Australia Day for another, Albanese said January 26 working arrangements across the country was “a matter for employers and employees to work through”.

The government’s decision to lift the ban was criticised by Victorian Liberal senator Jane Hume, who accused Labor of “deliberately undermining Australia Day” and called on the government to reverse the decision.

“Rather than attempt to provide unity by acknowledging our common values on a common day, they have told public servants that their national holiday isn’t something they need to recognise,” Hume said.

While Telstra, Network Ten, law firms and consultancies Deloitte and PwC have policies in place allowing people to swap their Australia Day holiday for another date, Woolworths is the largest single private sector employer to have voiced support for giving staff the option to work as the company was “proud to be a snapshot of Australian society”.

“And to that end, we recognise the 26th of January means different things to different people. We think it’s up to each team member to mark the day as it suits them and our priority is creating a safe and supportive environment in our stores and sites,” the spokesperson said.

“We remain focused on our reconciliation commitments including supporting the aims of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Team members who would prefer to work on January 26 and take another day of leave can do so at the discretion of their manager.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18166822 (180857ZJAN23) Notable: Operation Ironside: Australian and Kiwi ‘sting of the century’ arrests - Former Sydney man Osemah El Hassen and New Zealand citizen Shane Ngakuru arrested as the FBI chase down the global group they allege was responsible for administering, distributing and marketing the encrypted devices and platform known as AN0M, widely used in the criminal underworld

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>>129622

Operation Ironside: Australian and Kiwi ‘sting of the century’ arrests

ELLEN WHINNETT and LIAM MENDES - JANUARY 16, 2023

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An Australian man living in ­Colombia and a New Zealander with links to Australia have been arrested on an indictment alleging they were part of a 17-man criminal enterprise running encrypted underworld app AN0M.

Former Sydney man Osemah El Hassen and New Zealand citizen Shane Ngakuru were arrested as the FBI continues to slowly chase down the global group they allege was responsible for administering, distributing and marketing the encrypted devices and platform known as AN0M, widely used in the criminal underworld.

All 17 are indicted on US racketeering charges, which carry 20-year jail terms.

Mr El Hassen is a relative of Lebanese-based Hamzi El Hassen, an associate of the man accused of being a key AN0M mastermind, former Comanchero bikie figure and Australia’s most wanted man, Hakan Ayik, who is on the run in Turkey.

He was arrested by the Colombian National Police in Bogota in July 2021, but does not yet appear to have been extradited to the US to face the charges on the indictment.

In August 2021, Colombian police issued a statement in Spanish that advised: “Colombia’s Attorney-General, the police DIJIN investigative unit and Interpol co-ordinated operations last month to capture Osemah Elhassen, an Australian citizen wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) based on charges filed in the Southern District of California.

“Colombia’s Attorney-General indicated that Elhassen is wanted for belonging to a transnational drug trafficking network active in Europe, Asia and South America.

“The International Affairs ­Directorate of the Colombian prosecutor’s office, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ­informed the United States ­embassy about the capture of ­Osemah Elhassen for the purposes of formalising the extradition request within the term established by law,’’ the statement concluded.

Mr El Hassen – named on the indictment as Osemah Elhassen – is accused of being a distributor of the AN0M devices.

Shane Ngakuru, another alleged distributor, is a New Zealand citizen who was residing in the tourist town of Phuket in Thailand, and was arrested in October.

He is a close relative of Duax Ngakuru, the international supreme commander of the Comanchero, who is a close friend of Mr Ayik.

On Monday, The Australian revealed authorities were closing in on Mr Ayik and Duax Ngakuru and it was heavily rumoured the Comanchero boss had been arrested in Turkey. Duax Ngakuru is not accused of involvement in the AN0M enterprise.

Shane Ngakuru, 43, was arrested by Royal Thai Police outside a shopping centre in Bangkok, where police allege he was fleeing after discovering a warrant had been issued for his arrest.

At a press conference, Central Investigative Bureau Police Lieutenant General Jiraphop ­Phuridech alleged Mr Ngakuru was a member of the Comanchero Motorcycle Club, who had arrived in Thailand in 2020 and had been running a tattoo parlour, restaurant and fitness centre with his Thai wife.

He said Mr Ngakuru had overstayed his visa, and had been deported to the US.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18166827 (180859ZJAN23) Notable: US-accused Edwin Harmendra Kumar kept in Aussie jail since 2021 - A man wanted in the US to face racketeering charges has spent 19 months in jail in Australia despite facing no local charges, as his extradition application drags on - Sydney man Edwin Harmendra Kumar was arrested and remanded in custody on June 7, 2021, after a global sting by the Australian Federal Police and the FBI using the trojan horse encrypted app AN0M

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>>129622

>>129626

US-accused Edwin Harmendra Kumar kept in Aussie jail since 2021

ELLEN WHINNETT and LIAM MENDES - JANUARY 17, 2023

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A man wanted in the US to face racketeering charges has spent 19 months in jail in Australia ­despite facing no local charges, as his extradition application drags on.

Sydney man Edwin Harmendra Kumar was arrested and remanded in custody on June 7, 2021, after a global sting by the Australian Federal Police and the FBI using the trojan horse encrypted app AN0M.

In November 2021, the 35-year-old agreed to be surrendered to the US to face a racketeering conspiracy charge, which if proven, could land him a 20-year stretch in a US jail.

But his case has still not been ­finalised, after Mr Kumar asked Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus not to extradite him, despite ­earlier agreeing to the surrender application.

Negotiations between his legal team, Australia’s Attorney-­General’s Department, and US authorities about his likely conditions in US custody have led to his case continuing into 2023.

Mr Kumar, also known as Edwin Harmendra Valentine, has been held in custody since his arrest, including long stretches in solitary, and has been denied bail by the courts. He is currently in Parklea prison in Sydney.

“Mr Kumar has been in prison in Australia for some 19 months, in very difficult circumstances waiting to learn whether he will be extradited to the United States,’’ his lawyer Sarah Khan told The Australian.

“He is an Australian citizen and has never been to the US, apart from a short holiday with his family when he was a young child.

“The US extradition request is based on alleged crimes committed in Sydney, Australia. It is inappropriate that Mr Kumar should be taken to the US to face trial in the circumstances.’’

Ms Khan said it was “noteworthy that (to our knowledge) no US citizen has been charged in the US for these or other AN0M-related offences”.

“On legal advice, Mr Kumar has conceded that he is eligible for surrender to the US under the Extradition Act 1988,” she said.

“But it remains a matter for the discretion of the commonwealth Attorney-General whether he will be surrendered. Mr Kumar has asked the Attorney-General in January 2022 to exercise this discretion to allow him to stay in Australia despite the US request.’’

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18166835 (180903ZJAN23) Notable: Australia to buy 40 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from United States to replace troubled Taipan fleets - The Australian Army will ditch its European-made Taipan helicopter fleet early, with Labor confirming they will be replaced by a multi-billion-dollar purchase of American-made Black Hawks

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Australia to buy 40 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from United States to replace troubled Taipan fleets

Andrew Greene and Brianna Morris-Grant - 18 January 2023

The Australian Army will ditch its European-made Taipan helicopter fleet early, with Labor confirming they will be replaced by a multi-billion-dollar purchase of American-made Black Hawks.

On Wednesday the government will announce it will acquire 40 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters for the Australian Army for an estimated $2.8 billion.

Australia first requested to buy the helicopters in mid-2022, to "replace Australia's current multi-role helicopter fleet" with "a more reliable and proven system", according to a Defence Security Cooperation Agency release in August 2022.

The head of land capability for the army, Major General Jeremy King CSM, said the UH-60M Black Hawks would meet the country's strategic needs.

"The Black Hawk capability will be a crucial element for us to protect Australia's sovereignty, and deliver foreign policy objects, including providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief," he said.

"The Black Hawk will support the deployment of our troops and their equipment where they are needed in times of crisis.

"The Black Hawk is a reliable, proven and mature platform supported by a robust global supply chain.

"This acquisition will mean we can continue to defend Australia and respond in times of need in a safe and effective way for years to come."

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the short answer to why the government was switching was Australia had not got the flying hours with the Taipans that it needed.

"We have been struggling with the Taipans for many years, in terms of maintenance issues, getting spare parts," he said.

"We are confident that we can get that from the Black Hawks. It's a platform we're familiar with, we've operated in different contexts before."

The Black Hawks will operate out of Oakey in Queensland and Holsworthy in NSW, with their delivery set to begin in 2023.

In December 2021 then-defence minister Peter Dutton announced the army would ditch its entire fleet of troubled European-designed Taipan helicopters a decade earlier than scheduled.

At the time, the army had 41 Taipans in service, operating out of Townsville and Oakey, and had spent more than $37 million to hire civilian helicopters to maintain its capability while it dealt with long-running problems.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-18/australia-to-buy-40-us-black-hawk-helicopters-replace-taipans/101865704

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18166844 (180908ZJAN23) Notable: Australian soldiers deployed to UK to train everyday Ukrainians, like bakers and hairdressers - Australian soldiers will be deployed this week to train everyday Ukrainians - like pastry chefs and taxi drivers - in a bid to bolster Kiev’s defence as Russia’s war rages on

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Australian soldiers deployed to UK to train everyday Ukrainians - like bakers and hairdressers

ELLEN RANSLEY - JANUARY 18, 2023

Australian soldiers will be deployed this week to train everyday Ukrainians - like pastry chefs and taxi drivers - in a bid to bolster Kiev’s defence as Russia’s war rages on.

The contingent of 70 Australian Defence Force personnel will leave Darwin in the coming days as part of Operation Kudu, and will be sent to the United Kingdom.

They will be sent to help the UK-led training program Operation Interflex, which aims to train 20,000 Ukrainian recruits this year.

No ADF personnel will enter Ukraine as part of the program.

The training will focus on “basic infantry tactics” for urban and wooded environments, which Defence Minister Richard Marles said would help Ukrainian recruits gain the skills to defend their homeland.

The Ukrainians to be trained are ordinary citizens, aged between 18-55, who have little to no military experience.

Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart said civilians had volunteered to leave their day jobs to join the Ukrainian defensive.

“Among them are pastry chefs, taxi drivers and hairdressers,” he told the Australian personnel in Darwin on Wednesday.

“But the thing in common among this diverse group is their commitment, their courage, their focus, and their stoicism.”

Mr Marles said sending Australian troops was the latest sign of support for Ukraine “in response to Russia’s clear violation of the rules-based order.”

“Operation Kudu builds on Australia’s military support for Ukraine, with the previously gifted Australian-produced Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles proving their worth as highly valuable military vehicles,” Mr Marles said.

As the war approaches the 11-month mark, there are mounting fears among the west that Russia will launch a springtime offensive, prompting the UK, the United States, Germany and France to pledge weapons they’d previously refused to send for fear of provoking Moscow.

Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh said ADF personnel were proud to support the “brave people of Ukraine, and their armed forces”.

“We know that you, our members of the Australian Defence Force, are the most important capability that we have and so you being able to assist those who are fighting for Ukraine, their most important capability - to be able to fight better, to fight smarter - is going to provide a fundamental increase in capability,” he told troops.

“It’s really important that we’re able to do this.

“It’s important that Ukraine is able to take up the fight, not just with more equipment - but with soldiers that are able to take that fight, so that Ukraine can bring an end to this conflict on its own terms.”

To date, Australia has provided Ukraine with about $655 million in support.

Meanwhile on home soil, Australia’s military helicopters will be upgraded.

The army will phase out its European-made Taipan helicopter fleet early, replacing it with 40 American-made blackhawks.

The move will cost an estimated $2.8 billion.

The helicopters would help meet Australia’s strategic needs, help protect its sovereignty, and prove useful during times of disaster relief.

They will be operated out of Oakey, west of Brisbane, and Holsworthy in NSW.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/australian-soldiers-deployed-to-uk-to-train-ukrainian-forces/news-story/26e2b14418554e21f470c06c9c42b794

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18173359 (190854ZJAN23) Notable: Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews Tweet: Through a pandemic, a terrorist attack and an eruption, Jacinda led with a kindness which came to define her Prime Ministership. A real leader, with so much to be proud of.

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New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern to resign

Matthew Knott - January 19, 2023

Jacinda Ardern has stunned New Zealanders by announcing she will step down as the nation’s prime minister within weeks and will not contest the upcoming election.

An emotional Ardern revealed the next general election will be held on Saturday, October 14, with a new Labour leader at the helm.

Ardern said she had taken time to consider her future over the summer break and decided it was time for her to move on after more than five years as the nation’s leader.

She said she would resign as prime minister by February 7 to give her successor time to settle in the party leader role before the election.

“I have given my absolute all to being prime minister but it has also taken a lot out of me,” she said.

“You cannot and should not do the job unless you have a full tank, plus a bit in reserve for those unplanned and unexpected challenges that inevitably come along.

“Having reflected over summer I know I no longer have that bit extra in the tank to do the job justice. It’s that simple.”

Choking back tears, Ardern said she would have done a disservice to New Zealanders if she continued in the job.

“I’m a politician who is first and foremost human”.

Ardern addressed her fiancé Clarke Gayford, who sat in on her press conference, and her four-year-old daughter Neve.

“Neve, mum is looking forward to being there when you start school this year,” she said.

“And to Clarke - let’s finally get married.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who had a close relationship with Ardern, paid tribute to her leadership, saying: “Jacinda Ardern has shown the world how to lead with intellect and strength.

“She has demonstrated that empathy and insight are powerful leadership qualities”.

Albanese described Ardern, 42, as a “fierce advocate for New Zealand” and a “great friend” to him.

Ardern became the world’s youngest head of government in 2017, at age 37, in a left-wing minority government with the support of the Green Party.

A year later she became just the second elected head of government to give birth while in office.

Ardern became a hero to progressives – especially progressive women – around the world with her style of leadership, which presented a stark contrast to the rise of populist conservative leaders such as Donald Trump in the United States and Boris Johnson in the United Kingdom.

She led her party to a landslide victory in the 2020 election, capitalising on her success in making New Zealand one of the countries with the world’s lowest COVID-19 death rates.

Ardern’s polling numbers had sunk to some of their lowest levels over recent months, with Labour trailing the centre-right National party.

Speaking from the Labour Party caucus retreat in Napier, she said she “needed to let someone else take on this job” and still believed the party would win the upcoming election.

Ardern revealed that Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson would not be entering the leadership contest.

Earlier in the day, across town, National Party leader Christopher Luxon revealed a reshuffle.

Ardern will remain the electorate MP for Mount Albert until April, Stuff reported.

“This will give me a bit of time in the electorate before I depart, and also spare them and the country a by-election,” she told reporters.

“Beyond that, I have no plan, no next steps. All I know is that whatever I do, I will try and find ways to keep working for New Zealand and that I am looking forward to spending time with my family again - arguably, they are the ones that have sacrificed the most out of all of us.”

https://www.theage.com.au/world/oceania/jacinda-ardern-to-resign-20230119-p5cdtz.html

https://twitter.com/AlboMP/status/1615871202580639744

https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/1615882507697950721

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18180137 (201150ZJAN23) Notable: OPINION: Jacinda Ardern reminds us that kindness and strength are not mutually exclusive - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese - theage.com.au

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>>129630

OPINION: Jacinda Ardern reminds us that kindness and strength are not mutually exclusive

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese - January 19, 2023

Through the sheer power of her example, Jacinda Ardern has reminded us all that kindness and strength are not mutually exclusive. Even more importantly, she has shown that a true leader possesses both.

It has been a privilege to work closely with Jacinda during her term as Prime Minister of New Zealand, and to witness the many qualities she brought to the role: empathy and insight; intellect and decisiveness; a powerful work ethic matched by a great policy brain; a lightness of touch backed by a firm hand.

Throughout it all, Jacinda has been a fierce advocate for New Zealand and a great friend to Australia. She has been an inspiration to so many and, on a personal level, a friend to me.

It was only fitting that Jacinda was the first foreign leader to visit Australia following our election, and I was pleased to host her again for the 2022 Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting.

As a fellow Commonwealth leader, I met with Jacinda and co-operated on issues, particularly security in our Pacific region and climate change.

I witnessed her diplomatic skill at forums including the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting, APEC and the East Asia Summit. To see her in action, elevating New Zealand on the world stage, was an inspiration.

It was not Jacinda’s destiny to be prime minister in easy times. It fell to her to steer her nation through the many challenges of the first global pandemic in a century. Through her early and decisive action, lives were saved and the economy was kept on track.

She also had to act as both comfort and strength in times of tragedy, which is when the world came to know her grace and her grit.

Her response to the atrocity perpetrated in Christchurch is emblematic of the leader I so admired.

I will always carry in my mind that image of Jacinda in a headscarf, offering the embrace of a nation to a community stricken by grief and fear. When that community was brought so terribly low, she reached high and brought people together. Sadly, as we have seen only too clearly, that is not the instinct of every leader across the world, but it has emphatically been Jacinda’s every step of the way.

Jacinda Ardern has been the very embodiment of the common ground on which nations find their greatest cohesion and strength.

But Jacinda’s gift and her extraordinary qualities as a leader stemmed from more than knowing the right gesture at the right moment, or finding the right words in the right tone. She matched all this with action, with a determined pursuit of justice and with gun reforms to keep New Zealanders safe.

We saw it in response to the shocking loss of life – including 17 Australians – in the White Island disaster.

And we also saw it in her determination to address the ever-growing problem of climate change, not least the very real threat it poses to our Pacific neighbours.

Australia and New Zealand are family. Our relationship is one which transcends leaders and personal ties, and I look forward to the next chapter of our co-operation, with the next prime minister of New Zealand.

The story of the friendship between our two countries is a strong and a permanent one. Nevertheless, we have come to the end of a chapter.

Even the way Jacinda has brought it to a close has been a demonstration of her qualities. A model of modern leadership, after giving her all she will depart on her own terms, with deep humility, with hope for her nation’s future and with the grace she showed all through her time in office.

Not many leaders get to do that.

From prime minister to prime minister, from friend to friend, I wish Jacinda and her family well in the next stage of their lives. When she leaves office, she will go with my admiration and my gratitude.

Australia is losing a friend and the world stage is losing a class act, but her legacy will continue. May the example of her kindness and strength continue to cast its glow in a world that really needs it.

Anthony Albanese is Prime Minister of Australia.

https://www.theage.com.au/world/oceania/jacinda-ardern-reminds-us-that-kindness-and-strength-are-not-mutually-exclusive-20230119-p5cdz8.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18180152 (201158ZJAN23) Notable: New Zealand PM Ardern announces resignation, recognized for her role in ties with China - Wang Qi - globaltimes.cn

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>>129630

New Zealand PM Ardern announces resignation, recognized for her role in ties with China

Wang Qi - Jan 19, 2023

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Holding back tears, Jacinda Ardern made a shock announcement on Thursday that she was leaving office and will not seek reelection after more than five years as New Zealand's prime minister. Chinese experts on Thursday hailed Ardern's efforts in the steady development of China-New Zealand relations under the COVID-19 pandemic and the US' confrontational meddling, as New Zealand's diplomacy has remained relatively independent during her tenure, in sharp contrast to some conservative forces among some US allies.

In the post-Ardern era, whether Labour or the National Party is in power, experts expect the momentum in the relationship to continue, even though it may fluctuate under pressure from Washington.

At a press conference Thursday, Ardern said her final day in office will be February 7, leaving some time for her successor to settle in as Labour party leader before the next general election to be held on October 14, according to New Zealand media One News.

As for the reason for resigning, Ardern said, "You cannot and should not do the job unless you have a full tank, plus a bit in reserve for those unplanned and unexpected challenges that inevitably come along."

Ardern added that she "no longer has that bit extra in the tank to do the job justice." She also stressed family factors, saying, "I'm a politician who is first and foremost human."

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday that Ardern was a great friend and had "demonstrated that empathy and insight are powerful leadership qualities."

Ben Thomas, a political commentator and former press secretary for the opposition National Party, said Ardern's resignation could spell disaster for Labour as "she's Labour's number one political asset."

Ardern's resignation comes not long after a drop in popularity, with a November poll showing her approval rate dropping to 29 percent, the lowest since 2017, with 33 percent support for her Labour Party. Domestic issues such as housing problems, violent crimes, and inflation remain unsolved.

Some analysts also mentioned that US pressure could be a factor behind her decision. "In contrast to Australia, perhaps New Zealand does not satisfy Americans under the Indo-Pacific strategy of containing China," said Yu Lei, chief research fellow at the research center for Pacific island countries of Liaocheng University.

Compared with Labour, the center-right National Party has a closer relationship with US political and military circles, Yu said.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18180190 (201220ZJAN23) Notable: Alice Springs mayor Matt Paterson calls for federal police, ADF assistance amid crime crisis - The mayor of Alice Springs has called for the army or federal police to be deployed to the outback town to assist with a prolonged and frequently violent crime crisis

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Alice Springs mayor Matt Paterson calls for federal police, ADF assistance amid crime crisis

Matt Garrick - 17 Jan 2023

The mayor of Alice Springs has called for the army or federal police to be deployed to the outback town to assist with a prolonged and frequently violent crime crisis.

An intensive police operation was launched in November in response to escalating rates of crime in the town and has resulted in more than 300 arrests.

However, the town's mayor, Matt Paterson, said he didn't believe the operation had sufficiently countered the problems facing Alice Springs, and that he'd made calls to the federal government for assistance.

"To me, and I say this with respect, this is no different to a flood or a storm – this is a crisis," he said.

"It's happening every single day, it's a slow burn here, and we need help.

"So, whether that is the AFP [Australian Federal Police], whether that is the army, or whether that is just resources from another jurisdiction, we need them in Alice Springs now."

Mr Paterson did not detail the type of assistance he hoped the military would provide but said local police were over-stretched.

"We need more boots on the ground every single day of the year at this stage, until this is addressed," he said.

Federal Attorney General Mark Dreyfuss's office confirmed in a statement that Mr Paterson had made contact and said they would endeavour to set up a meeting with him soon.

"The Attorney-General's door is always open to discuss community safety," a spokesperson said.

Country Liberal Party (CLP) senator Jacinta Price made a similar call for the use of the army or federal police on Sky News late last year.

Long-running problems with youth property crime and alcohol-fuelled violence in Alice Springs have continued into 2023, as well as multiple violent house break-ins in which residents have been allegedly assaulted within their own homes.

Police, government dismiss need for Defence

NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker on Tuesday dismissed the idea of involving Defence and said Operation Drina was yielding results.

"There are social issues that we need to work [through] together," Commissioner Chalker said.

"Coming in with a jackboots approach, I don't think is an appropriate way and I certainly don't think it's what the intention of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is."

NT Police Minister Kate Worden also disagreed with the call.

"Police are responding to crime in Alice Springs appropriately and they are making a large number of arrests," Ms Worden said.

The ADF declined to comment.

Deputy NT Opposition Leader Gerard Maley said the CLP would "support any action that helps territorians and helps people in Alice Springs to feel safe".

Police watch-houses used for prison over-flow

The high number of arrests comes with the NT's main prisons already facing "unprecedented pressures" with record inmate numbers above their population capacities.

Ms Worden confirmed that the prisons were currently so full that police station watch houses were being used to hold people.

"We have contingency plans in place in the short and immediate term, at the moment … and police are playing a very important role," Ms Worden said.

"I'm extremely proud of the work that they're doing to support that system."

Ms Worden said recent mandatory sentencing reforms would give judges more options than prison sentences.

"We're not going to change people's behaviour, as the Commissioner said, by simply arresting and locking people up," she said.

The minister cited alcohol misuse as a main factor in many of the crimes being committed in Alice Springs – but did not make any commitments to reinstating alcohol bans that were lifted last year.

Aboriginal health and local government organisations have said the lifting of the Commonwealth bans has seen an increase of alcohol abuse in the region.

Mr Paterson and Senator Price have both called for the bans to be temporarily reinstated.

The CLP's Mr Maley said the Labor government needed to better "resource Territory prisons" but didn't specifically outline how such resources could be used.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-17/nt-alice-springs-mayor-calls-for-army-help-crime/101864740

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/18180217 (201232ZJAN23) Notable: NT Police Minister Kate Worden visits Alice Springs amid crime crisis - Police Minister Kate Worden has called on liquor retailers to come together to stamp out the “black market” secondary supply of alcohol seen as a root cause of crime in Alice Springs

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>>129633

NT Police Minister Kate Worden visits Alice Springs amid crime crisis

Police Minister Kate Worden has targeted alcohol as the root cause of crime and anti-social behaviour in Alice Springs.

Annabel Bowles and Nathaniel Chambers - January 20, 2023

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Police Minister Kate Worden has called on liquor retailers to come together to stamp out the “black market” secondary supply of alcohol seen as a root cause of crime in Alice Springs.

Ms Worden met with Central Australian liquor retailers interested in stemming the flow of crime, as part of a two-day visit to the Red Centre.

It comes as the Alice Springs crime wave continues, with businesses broken into, people being attacked and vehicles stolen.

Despite an increased police presence in recent months as part of Operation Drina, which has resulted in 300 arrests, anti-social behaviour is still prevalent.

The secondary supply of alcohol is one of the root causes in Central Australia with retailers and the government working on ways to reduce the illegal trade.

Major retailers Woolworths and Coles have already taken action in combating liquor abuse by removing one litre bottles from shelves.

A spokesman for Woolworths’ bottle shop arm, Endeavour Group, said the company was “committed to working with all parties to address this issue and will continue to engage through the Alice Springs liquor accord”.

“We talked to them about the issues of secondary supply and retailers are meeting to address that issue,” Ms Worden said.

“It’s a clear message also that if anyone in Alice Springs or beyond knows of someone supplying alcohol to vulnerable people to come forward and give that intelligence to the police.

“There is clearly a black market going on in Alice Springs, and if anyone knows about that please let us know, let our police or your local member know.

“But at the moment we’re allowing industry to think about ways that it can help us get a change.”

Ms Worden’s visit also comes on the back of Alice Springs mayor Matt Paterson calling on the federal government to send urgent help in the form of the Australian Defence Force and Australian Federal Police.

However, the federal government has since knocked back calls to send the ADF to the crime besieged town.

And the Police Minister also confirmed there was no appetite from the NT government to turn Alice Springs into a “police state”, even for a short time.

Instead Operation Drina, which has been extended until the end of January, will be reviewed at the end of the month to see if it will continue further.

“There is no support for (the ADF coming in) within the Northern Territory government, and there does seem to be very little support for that among our federal members,” Ms Worden said.

“We’re not creating a police state here in Alice Springs, our police have done a fabulous job with 300 arrests in seven weeks and our prisons are full.

“We need to deal with the root cause of the problem, if we can reduce the amount of alcohol here in Alice Springs we know that will have a significant impact.

“We already know on Sunday when outlets are reduced to only two, police work related to alcohol related harm halves, so if you stem the flow of alcohol you can really attack these problems.

“We need to invest in the root causes and invest in housing, access to services and access to real, meaningful jobs and skills which is why we’re focused on sustainable opportunities in the bush.”

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