Research into one of the most violent episodes in the history of West Papua claims that helicopters provided to Indonesia by the Australian government were used in military operations in the 1970s that amounted to genocide. According to a report by the Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission, two Iroquois helicopters supplied by Australia were … Continue reading Australian helicopters used in ’70s massacres in West Papua
Australian government allows Malaysia to prevent free speech on Australian soil
Imagine this: Australian Opposition Leader Bill Shorten is visiting Malaysia to speak to Australian students studying at Malaysian universities. The Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur then issues a written threat to all Australian students, saying that if they hear Mr Shorten speak they will lose any government-funded scholarships. Such an action would be met … Continue reading Australian government allows Malaysia to prevent free speech on Australian soil
Australia neglects militarisation of Antarctica by foreign powers, including China
Australian academics have pointed to dangers that Antarctic bases are for the first time being militarised, despite the continent officially being called a land of peace and science. Satellite systems at polar bases could be used to control offensive weapons, according to a report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and little could be done … Continue reading Australia neglects militarisation of Antarctica by foreign powers, including China
Hong Kong signs up for Australian undergraduate study and internship plan
Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has signed up the fourth and final destination, Hong Kong, for next year's trial of the government's New Colombo Plan, which will send Australian undergraduates into the region for study, internships and long-term diplomacy. "Australian students will benefit from the opportunity to study at Hong Kong's world-class institutions and the … Continue reading Hong Kong signs up for Australian undergraduate study and internship plan
Australian government sees Asia as priority over US
Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey has expressed doubts the world has seen the last of the US debt impasse as he urged the United States to get its house in order and signalled a renewed focus on opening more markets in Asia as a response to ongoing instability. In an interview with Fairfax Media, Mr Hockey … Continue reading Australian government sees Asia as priority over US
Australian staff evacuated from asylum detention centre after conflict between Papua New Guinea security forces
The Australian immigration minister, Scott Morrison, has confirmed that Australian staff were evacuated from the regional processing centre on Manus Island after an incident involving “Papua New Guinean agencies”. The minister, who said he had not been fully briefed on the incident, said details were a “matter for the Papua New Guinean government to address”. … Continue reading Australian staff evacuated from asylum detention centre after conflict between Papua New Guinea security forces
Australia’s Governor General meets top Chinese leaders
Australia's Governor-General Quentin Bryce has met with China's top political leaders in one of her final overseas tours in the post. Mrs Bryce held meetings last night with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. It was Mr Bryce's first visit as the official head of … Continue reading Australia’s Governor General meets top Chinese leaders
Mining magnate calls on Australian government to use FTA’s to attack slavery
Australian mining magnate Andrew Forrest has called on Tony Abbott to insist new global trade agreements have clauses prohibiting forced labour, as he launched a global slave index in London. The chairman of Fortescue Metals Group said slavery was "as common as church mice, and an insistence on an enforced labour-proof supply chain in any … Continue reading Mining magnate calls on Australian government to use FTA’s to attack slavery
Australia backs Japan’s military buildup at risk of upsetting China
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop threw Australia's support behind Japan's attempts to shift its military to a more "normal" defence posture in a speech in Tokyo yesterday. Australia's backing for Japan's proposed move away from a purely defensive military runs the risk of sparking resentment in China, which retains deep suspicion of the hawkish Abe … Continue reading Australia backs Japan’s military buildup at risk of upsetting China
Malaysian rights campaigner to be guest of Australian senator deported from Malaysia
Independent senator Nick Xenophon still smarts from being deported and banned from Malaysia earlier this year. The South Australian senator has got his own back by arranging for Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to join him in Adelaide this week as a speaker at the Festival of Ideas. Senator Xenophon described Mr Anwar as a … Continue reading Malaysian rights campaigner to be guest of Australian senator deported from Malaysia
UN slams Australia for plan to send asylum seekers home
The United Nations has slammed as a possible breach of the Refugee Convention the Australian government's plans to speedily send a group of Sri Lankan asylum seekers home. The boatload of asylum seekers believed to be from Sri Lanka arrived at the far-flung Australian territory of Cocos Islands on Thursday - the first such group … Continue reading UN slams Australia for plan to send asylum seekers home
Australian government fails to honour promised crime prevention program grants
The Australian Coalition government has backed away from distributing millions of dollars in grants promised to dozens of charities, community groups and local councils under Labor's national crime prevention program. In some cases, small charities say their existence is under threat because they have spent money based on draft funding agreements that will no longer … Continue reading Australian government fails to honour promised crime prevention program grants
Australia to offer more jobs to international graduates
Australian Education Minister Christopher Pyne has promised to open the jobs market to more overseas students who have graduated from Australian universities, as a means of rehabilitating the stagnant $14 billion international education industry. In his first speech on the industry since he was sworn in as minister, Mr Pyne said yesterday the Abbott government … Continue reading Australia to offer more jobs to international graduates
Australian government to drastically lower foreign investment thresholds as bargaining chip against China
Coalition tensions are growing, with the Nationals expected to insist on a lowering of foreign investment thresholds as Liberals push for them to be used as a bargaining chip with China. The Nationals partyroom meeting next Thursday is expected to endorse the lowering of the threshold for purchases of farmland from $248 million to $15m, … Continue reading Australian government to drastically lower foreign investment thresholds as bargaining chip against China
Australian Prime Minister says “Japan is our closest friend in Asia”
Tony Abbott has declared Japan Australia's "closest friend in Asia", elevating the former World War II aggressor past both China and Indonesia as he continued his regional charm offensive. Mr Abbott met the conservative Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the 18-member East Asia Summit being held over two days in the tiny … Continue reading Australian Prime Minister says “Japan is our closest friend in Asia”
Australia’s Prime Minister apologises to Malaysia for second time in a week
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
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
Craig Hill 