ANZUS and the fabric of peace in the Pacific
China seeks hegemony in Asia through coercion and deepening its military alliance with Russia, in turn amplifying tensions with Australia, New Zealand, The US and others. The ANZUS Treaty obliges Australia to support the US in the Pacific, with both nations needing to strengthen their military coordination to deter China. Australia’s strategic interests should lie in maintaining US primacy and enhancing regional deterrence, requiring urgent consultations and preparations for potential conflict.
Parliament’s role in shaping Australia’s support for Ukraine is vital
The government is yet to put forward enough information for Parliament and the public to be confident that Australia’s support for Ukraine is properly organised. Some simple changes could go a long way, such as publishing the disposal documentation for ADF kit being withdrawn from service. The key to building public trust in Canberra’s approach is a clear narrative from the top of government explaining why outcomes in Ukraine directly affect Australia’s security and interests. This is also the surest antidote to Russian disinformation, which China is amplifying.
‘No doubt’ China has ‘increased buildup’ of military capabilities
Assistant Defence Minister Matt Thistlethwaite says Australia wants to “maintain peace and stability” in the region despite China’s “increased buildup” of military capabilities. Labor’s defence plans won’t improve Australia’s military capability for at least a decade, according to a report. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute says the country would only have access to its current force if a war were to break out in the next 10 years.
Chinese hackers observed targeting south-east Asian government organisation
Sophos security analysts have outlined the details of a two-year-long campaign by multiple clusters of Chinese state-backed hackers against a “high-level government target” in south-east Asia. The activity was first observed in December 2022, when the Sophos X-Ops team found a data exfiltration tool on the targeted organisation’s network.
Billions of dollars invested into autonomous weapons system for ADF
The Australian Defence Force is looking to recruit more robots. Around 14 billion dollars has been announced for developing autonomous weapons systems to remove more humans from the battlefield. But as Science and Technology Correspondent Brent O'Halloran reports, some analysts have serious concerns.
Australian Defence Force recruitment to be opened to foreign citizens, causes government confusion
Foreign citizens with permanent residency in Australia will soon be able to serve in Australia's armed forces, as part of an effort to boost sluggish recruitment. But the government has been forced to clarify confusion around its plans after different ministers spelled out differing policies on exactly who was eligible, prompting heavy criticism from the opposition.
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