There is no deterrence without a manufacturing base

by Graeme Dunk | Apr 15, 2024 | Policy, Strategy & Capability

Deterrence has been this Government’s mantra from the early stages of its time in office. Initially promoted under the guise of “impactful projection”, the position was reinforced in the Defence Strategic Review (DSR) with the stated, repeated, need to ‘focus on...

Australian foreign policy shouldn’t be performance art – it should shape outcomes

by Anthony Bergin and Greg Rose | Feb 27, 2024 | Policy

American comedian Will Rogers once quipped that, “People are taking their comedians seriously and their politicians as a joke”. It’s still true. A proof was laid out recently in the joint statement by the prime ministers of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, who...

Will Trump sink AUKUS if he wins?

by Peter Jennings | Jan 30, 2024 | AUKUS, Strategy & Capability

A second Trump presidency is not a certainty, but a forward-thinking Australian government would start planning for that possibility. Much more is at stake than bonhomie about alliance relations. If Trump trashes the AUKUS partnership on the false grounds that it...

Labor’s evasive action on grounded choppers won’t fly

by Peter Jennings | Jan 20, 2024 | Strategy & Capability, Ukraine

There is something deeply suspect about the government’s decision to disassemble and bury 45 MRH-90 Taipan utility helicopters. Attempts to justify the decision have been incomplete, evasive and at times incoherent. What’s at stake is potentially $900m to $1bn of...

Ukraine and helicopters: Mr Albanese needs to dig Defence and Pat Conroy out of a hole of their own making

by Michael Shoebridge | Jan 20, 2024 | Europe, Strategy & Capability, Ukraine

“Australia stands with Ukraine. We pay tribute to the unwavering resilience and courage displayed by the Ukrainian people.” That’s what prime minister Anthony Albanese says when asked about Australia’s support for Ukraine in its fight against Putin’s invasion. ...