Tony Abbott has apologised to an Asian leader for the second time in a week over his robust political campaigning before he was elected, offering an "act of contrition" for Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. The Australian Prime Minister acknowledged in a meeting with Mr Najib at the APEC conference late on Monday that … Continue reading Australia’s Prime Minister apologises to Malaysia for second time in a week
Category: Australian Current Affairs
Australia’s defence forces must gear up for South China Sea, says expert
Naval tensions over territorial disputes in northeast Asia and the South China Sea are nearing the dangerous point where serious incidents or armed conflict could become inevitable, one of Australia's most respected strategists says. Paul Dibb, key architect of the defence of Australia strategy, will warn in a speech to a naval conference this week … Continue reading Australia’s defence forces must gear up for South China Sea, says expert
Australian government’s information control policy fails dismally, reflects badly
Despite his habit of making bewildering proclamations (''Some of the worst mistakes of my life have been haircuts''), Jim Morrison is responsible for a piece of wisdom that has resonated through the ages: ''Whoever controls the media, controls the mind''. Control or limit the information available to people, and you frame the debate to your … Continue reading Australian government’s information control policy fails dismally, reflects badly
Australian senator wants to charge asylum seekers $50,000
Australia's Liberal Democratic Senator David Leyonhjelm has proposed a radical plan to charge asylum-seekers $50,000 to come to Australia "through the front door". Mr Leyonhjelm, who will join the Senate on July 1, will be one of eight crossbench senators who will hold the balance of power in the new Senate. Speaking on Sky … Continue reading Australian senator wants to charge asylum seekers $50,000
Sex-for-secrets spy scandal prompts Australian navy inquiry
A company that services US warships when they visit Australian ports has been accused of providing prostitutes to an American naval commander in return for secret intelligence on US naval movements to extort money from the US Seventh Fleet. The Royal Australian Navy is investigating whether the alleged bribery and prostitution scam has had an … Continue reading Sex-for-secrets spy scandal prompts Australian navy inquiry
Recognition of Aborigines in Australia’s Constitution is a priority
Australian Attorney-General, George Brandis, has declared that despite being a constitutional conservative, he has an "open mind" about the way the Constitution should be altered to recognise indigenous Australians, vowing to have a form of words settled by July next year. Senator Brandis revealed that work on developing constitutional change would begin immediately and be … Continue reading Recognition of Aborigines in Australia’s Constitution is a priority
Australia will take 500 refugees from Syria
The Coalition government will set aside 500 places for Syrian refugees in response to an appeal from the United Nations Refugee agency for help accommodating the displaced Syrians. Immigration Minister Scott Morrison announced on Thursday that "a further 500" Syrian refugees will be settled in Australia in 2013-14. The places will come from within the … Continue reading Australia will take 500 refugees from Syria
Australia cuts defence force anti-terrorist unit
The anti-terrorism protection force at some of Australia's key military bases is to be slashed, as the Defence Department struggles to find budget savings. Australian Protective Service officers will be taken off guard duty at Victoria Barracks in Melbourne, Sydney's Holsworthy Barracks, the navy's Garden Island base and the army's officer training college at Duntroon … Continue reading Australia cuts defence force anti-terrorist unit
Australian Aboriginal school kids treated like rubbish
Walgett Community High and Moree East Public are the schools that bureaucracies forgot, in physically deplorable condition and battling the pathogen of low expectations from all quarters. By NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli's own admission, the schools have been failed from the top by hulking institutions run from Sydney that swept them out of sight, … Continue reading Australian Aboriginal school kids treated like rubbish
Bad teaching in Australian schools causes low literacy rates
In his 1955 book Why Johnny Can't Read, Rudolph Flesch explained that quality of instruction was the key to improving children's literacy. Almost 60 years later, children's names may have changed but the story remains the same. Billions of dollars have been spent in the past decade on programs aimed at improving literacy, yet thousands … Continue reading Bad teaching in Australian schools causes low literacy rates
New Australian government adopts policy of media silence
You can tell that something has shifted in Canberra. The hourly, daily thunder of the hung parliament and campaign and the whirl of the election result have been replaced with something more subdued, even mild-mannered. Prime Minister Tony Abbott has signalled a desire to take politics off the front pages. Parliament may not be back … Continue reading New Australian government adopts policy of media silence
Asylum seekers drown on way to Australia
About 20 people, mostly children under 15 years old, died when an asylum seeker vessel sank off the southern coast of Java on its way to Australia. Adjunct Commissioner Warsono from the Agrabinta Police has confirmed that 25 people were rescued before the search was called off at nightfall. He could not say how many … Continue reading Asylum seekers drown on way to Australia
Australia bans Malaysian human rights activist; government’s new stance
A leading Malaysian rights activist who faces sedition charges at home says he was denied a visa to enter Australia, raising suggestions Canberra had buckled to pressure from Kuala Lumpur. Haris Ibrahim, a strident campaigner against the Malaysian government now headed by Prime Minister Najib Razak, said he was seeking a meeting with Australian officials … Continue reading Australia bans Malaysian human rights activist; government’s new stance
Indonesia warns Australia against turning back asylum-seeker boats
Indonesia has raised the ante in its dispute with the Abbott government over turning back asylum-seeker boats, saying its plan puts at risk Jakarta's "close cooperation and trust". The warning came as Tony Abbot sought to reassure the Jakarta “we absolutely respect Indonesia's sovereignty and we would never do or propose anything which is contrary … Continue reading Indonesia warns Australia against turning back asylum-seeker boats
Indonesia wants more of Australia’s land; 1.5 million hectares not enough
The Indonesian government may be in the market for an even larger slice of Australian land than the 1.5 million hectares it has proposed. Comments from the Finance Minister Chatib Basri and Deputy Trade Minister Bayu Krisnamurthi indicate large parcels of Australian land may play a crucial role in the security of Indonesia's beef supply. … Continue reading Indonesia wants more of Australia’s land; 1.5 million hectares not enough
Australia to decide between aid or retaliation for Syria
Julie Bishop, Australia's new Foreign Minister, faces perhaps the most important first week on the job of any previous incumbent for a generation. Bishop will travel to New York to participate in United Nations Security Council deliberations seeking to resolve the terrible conflict in Syria, and in particular ensure that chemical weapons play no further … Continue reading Australia to decide between aid or retaliation for Syria
Indonesia becomes fifth country in WTO fight over Australia’s tobacco law
The Australian Government has re-affirmed its commitment to tobacco plain packaging laws, in the face of a new challenge to the policy by Indonesia. The World Trade Organisation says Indonesia has made a formal request for consultations with Australia on the issue, which under the Geneva-based organisation's rules is the first step towards a full-blown … Continue reading Indonesia becomes fifth country in WTO fight over Australia’s tobacco law
Australian navy to protect sea lanes to China, Japan and South Korea
Protecting the massive resources projects in northern and Western Australia and export supply lines to China, Japan and South Korea will be a major Defence priority for the Abbott government.New Defence Minister David Johnston said last night that this was one reason the navy needed highly capable long-range submarines to complement its surface warships."We have … Continue reading Australian navy to protect sea lanes to China, Japan and South Korea
Australian government stops flow of information about asylum seekers
The Australian Coalition government has shut down the flow of information on the arrival of asylum vessels and the transfer of people offshore under the military-led Operation Sovereign Borders. Despite seizing on public information to attack the Labor government for every unauthorised vessel intercepted over the last six years, newly sworn-in Immigration Minister Scott Morrison … Continue reading Australian government stops flow of information about asylum seekers
English teaching in Australia fails the test
When Alice in Wonderland cried "curiouser and curiouser" she could have been describing what passes for English teaching in the national curriculum and official classroom resources. As Justine Ferrari reports, (High-school classes go for pop culture, Monday) students are now expected to "create an artwork from trash, play the logo quiz, study car and perfume … Continue reading English teaching in Australia fails the test
Australia abolishes Climate Commission
The Abbott government has moved swiftly to disband the Climate Commission and sack its commissioners, including controversial chief commissioner Tim Flannery. Environment Minister Greg Hunt telephoned Professor Flannery today in what was described as a civil discussion delivering expected news. The Coalition is fulfilling an election promise to dispense with the commission, saving taxpayers $580,000 … Continue reading Australia abolishes Climate Commission
New Australian government has only one female cabinet member
It's a sad day for the nation when the cabinet of Afghanistan has more women in it than the cabinet of Australia, says acting Labor leader Chris Bowen. Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott unveiled his ministerial line up on Monday, revealing the only woman in the cabinet is Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop. The outgoing Labor … Continue reading New Australian government has only one female cabinet member
Australia’s military takes over border protection; SAS commander in charge
Deputy Chief of Army Angus Campbell will be named Tony Abbott's three-star military commander of border protection, with the job of co-ordinating the new government's tough asylum-seeker policies. The former SAS commander and deputy National Security Adviser has emerged as Defence's choice to head up the 16 departments and agencies under the Coalition's Operation Sovereign … Continue reading Australia’s military takes over border protection; SAS commander in charge
Indonesian asylum-seekers give up hope on Australia
As the realisation takes hold that they are shut out of Australia, growing numbers of asylum-seekers trapped in Indonesia are considering voluntarily returning to their homelands. Asylum-seekers in Cisarua, south of Jakarta, told The Australian that Tony Abbott's election victory was the final blow to lingering hopes of getting to Australia by boat and being allowed … Continue reading Indonesian asylum-seekers give up hope on Australia
Australia could be first country in world to ban smoking
Australia could become the first major nation to outlaw smoking, with a federal government-funded trial about to test the viability of electronic cigarettes as a safer, permanent replacement for tobacco. Medical experts, cancer groups and anti-smoking lobbyists battled for decades to rid cigarettes from public spaces. ''E-cigarettes'' are battery-powered devices that simulate the effects … Continue reading Australia could be first country in world to ban smoking
Craig Hill 