politics

Created
Sat, 12/10/2024 - 04:58
Australia wants to constrain China, but without tying itself to America’s own ambitions and all that might mean. The central strategic axis of the Indo-Pacific region is – and for the foreseeable future, will remain – bipolar: a competition for primacy between the US and China. And while Australia has chosen where it sits, most Continue reading »
Created
Sat, 12/10/2024 - 04:59
In 1949 Australia’s Dr H.V. Evatt was described as: “The most brilliant and effective voice of Small Powers – a leading statesman for the world’s conscience.” When will another Australian voice speak up in the name of humanity at the United Nations? If the Australian Government valued its historic role in the establishment of the Continue reading »
Created
Sun, 13/10/2024 - 04:59
The leader of Australia’s Opposition, Peter Dutton, is aligning himself with a proposition about good and evil, civilisation and tyranny, that can only lead to the perpetuation of violence and the glorification of war, not its diminishment. The position of both men is dishonest, self-deluding and dangerous. Peter Dutton’s agreement with Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel Continue reading »
Created
Sat, 12/10/2024 - 04:55
In Asian media this week: Europe’s China business chief says conflict unavoidable. Plus: US lacks strategy for China confrontation; Japan’s new PM calls snap election; Junta’s election “census” a counter-insurgency ploy; America’s Gaza failure shakes confidence in rules-based order; Seoul has no answer for Pyongyang’s dirty campaign. China and the EU are shaping up for Continue reading »
Created
Sat, 12/10/2024 - 04:57
A monumental transformation: There has been a great deal of public criticism of Australia’s decision to acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) via the AUKUS security partnership. The criticism has been both broad and deep, spanning political and industrial challenges, budgetary consequences, safety and environmental concerns, strategic risks, and the erosion of national sovereignty. Continue reading »
Created
Thu, 10/10/2024 - 20:01
“My Lords, in taking part in this debate, I must declare an interest: recently, I was a victim of the committee chaired by the noble Baroness, Lady Manningham-Buller. Although this is not the kind of interest a Member is normally obliged to declare, I believe that my personal experience has given me a certain insight … Continue reading Speech in the House of Lords Conduct Committee: Code of Conduct Review – 8th of October