by Marcus Hellyer | May 28, 2024 | Defence Budget, Policy, Strategy & Capability
These questions are based on the information contained in the 2024 National Defence Statement (NDS), 2024 Integrated Investment Program (IIP) and 2024-25 Defence portfolio budget statements (PBS). Note: In this essay, ‘this year’ refers to the 2024-25 budget year....
by Michael Shoebridge | Apr 24, 2023 | China, Defence Budget, Strategy & Capability, Uncategorized
While there’s only a single paragraph devoted to it down on page 23, it’s clear that the Defence Strategic Review and the billions of dollars the government will spend on Defence over the next ten years is all about grappling with Chinese power in the Indo Pacific....
by Marcus Hellyer and Michael Shoebridge | Aug 11, 2026 | AUKUS, Featured, Podcasts, Policy
UK Count Binface’s Australian Connection, AUKUS Au | RSS.com Michael calls in from Count Binface’s campaign to beat Reform UK’s Nigel Farage in the Clacton by-election. The Grumpies ponder a Binface-type manifesto for Australia – “I will...
by Marcus Hellyer and Michael Shoebridge | Aug 1, 2026 | AUKUS, Featured, Podcasts
AUKUS subs’ temporary base is permanent again: Mr | RSS.com Marcus undertakes an emergency mercy flight to Washington DC to comfort and counsel Department of War deputy Elbridge Colby, stunned by the stab in the back from America’s Aussie ally on American...
by Michael Shoebridge | Jul 24, 2026 | Featured, Policy, Strategy & Capability
As the emptiness of the Labor Party’s policy-making conference unfolds in Adelaide, it’s obvious why Australians are looking for alternatives to our major political parties, even as they watch One Nation’s Pauline Hanson flit about at Italian fashion shows and...
by Marcus Hellyer and Michael Shoebridge | Jul 20, 2026 | Featured, Policy, Strategy & Capability, Ukraine
Grumpy Strategists episode 77: Those silly Canadia | RSS.com It’s a packed episode from the SAA bunker deep in the Brindabella Hills: Marcus gets into the world of high fashion with Gina Rinehart and Pauline Hanson, Michael marvels at Canada’s “Three...
by Marcus Hellyer and Michael Shoebridge | Jul 10, 2026 | China, Featured, Podcasts, Publications
Accountability is king, but no one is responsible. | RSS.com In Episode 76, the Grumpy Strategists ponder revelations of $29 billion of waste in just some of Australia’s big defence projects from Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy. His answer: bold reform...
by Graeme Dunk | Jul 10, 2026 | Featured, Strategy & Capability
In January 2026, and again in March, the world changed dramatically and fundamentally. Since then, changes have since been occurring on an almost daily basis. Actions taken by the United States administration under President Trump have highlighted the flaws in the...
by Graeme Dobell | Jul 9, 2026 | Featured
When Australia had something like a monoculture, it rested on a firm foundation. Trouble was, that foundation was racist, even if that old culture wasn’t truly mono, whatever its monotony. You have to dig deep to find any mention of a “monoculture” in the politics of...
by Michael Shoebridge | Jul 7, 2026 | China, Featured, South Pacific, Strategy & Capability
Right now, unfortunately, Australia is writing security cheques for itself and the South Pacific it can’t cash. That’s the real message behind two major security developments in the Pacific this week. On the day that Australian diplomats were celebrating getting...
by Michael Shoebridge | Jul 2, 2026 | Featured, Policy, Strategy & Capability
So, Minister Pat Conroy has released the Australian government’s “new” 2026 Defence Industry Development Strategy, after giving us the highly unsuccessful 2024 version.Unfortunately, the 2026 strategy is a rehash of the 2024 approach, which Mr Conroy has...
by Ewen Levick | Jul 1, 2026 | AUKUS, Defence Budget, Featured, Policy, Strategy & Capability
In a recent article, I argued that whilst nuclear-powered submarines are powerful platforms, there are many important things they can’t do, like shoot down drones or remove sea mines (which Iran used to close the strait of Hormuz). SSNs are extremely expensive tools...
