Australia Makes Huge Purchase Of Tomahawk Missiles From The U.S.

 

SCMP: Australia buys US$1.1 billion of US missiles amid Aukus and ‘arms race’ concerns 

* Australia's purchase of 200 Tomahawks means it will be one of only three nations to own the missiles, which have a range of 1,500km 

* The acquisition is backed by a defence review which recommended Australia adopt a strategy that would prevent adversaries from reaching its shores 

Australia has acquired A$1.7 billion (US$1.1 billion) of missiles from the United States, as domestic concerns about its purchase of nuclear-powered submarines under the Aukus alliance with the US and Britain continue to simmer. 

Defence minister Richard Marles and defence industry minister Pat Conroy said the acquisition was backed by the nation's latest defence review in April, which recommended Canberra adopt a strategy that would prevent an adversary from reaching Australian shores, such as building long-range missile capabilities.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Australia is also buying HIMRAS .... US State Dept OKs Potential Sale to Australia of HIMARS for $975 Million - Pentagon (Reuters). 

Australia Makes Huge Purchase Of Tomahawk Missiles From The U.S. 

Australia to buy U.S. Tomahawk missiles to boost long-range strike capability -- Reuters  

Australia to buy Tomahawk missiles from US to boost defense -- DW  

Australia Moves Forward with Tomahawk Missile Procurement -- Naval News  

Australia Announces Additional $1 Billion HIMARS Purchase -- Defense Post

Australia Unveils Defense Strategic Review

 

ABC News Australia: Defence force shifts posture to ready Australia for 'missile age', and combat threats further from shore 

The world has entered a new military age and Australia must "re-posture", the first major review of the nation’s defence forces in a generation has concluded. 

Australia is entering the "missile age", and is no longer as protected by its geography or the limited ability of other nations to project power, according to the landmark Defence Strategic Review. 

Former defence minister Stephen Smith and former defence chief Sir Angus Houston were tasked with the Defence Strategic Review, and determined modern warfare has "radically reduced” Australia’s geographic benefits and the nation's regional advantage.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Australia’s defense minister released the public version of the long-awaited Defence Strategic Review today .... National Defence: Defence Strategic Review 2023 (Australian Government: Defense). 

Australia Unveils Defense Strategic Review  

Australia plans major overhaul of defenses as China rises -- AP  

Australia to prioritise long-range strike capability in defence shake-up -- Reuters  

Australia unveils biggest defense overhaul in decades with wary eye on China -- CNN 

Australia seeks long-range strike power in defense reform -- DW  

Australia to Order Military Build-Up in Response to China’s Growing Power -- VOA  

Australia Plans Major Changes to Military Amid China's Build-up -- Bloomberg  

Australia seeks long-range strike power in defense reform -- DW  

More missiles, less vehicles: Australia unveils strategic review -- Defense News  

Australia Unveils Biggest Defense Reform in Decades -- Defense Post  

In China’s shadow, new Australian defense review focuses on denial, long-range weapons -- Breaking Defense

Australia Says It Has Busted A "Hive" Of Spies Which Has Been Operating In The Country For Years

 

BBC: Australia has busted a "hive" of spies which has been operating in the country for years, its intelligence chief says. 

Mike Burgess did not identify any countries behind the network, but said the undercover operatives appeared to be "highly trained". 

The group would study and "potentially seduce" targets including judges, journalists and veterans, he claimed. 

It shows the threat posed by foreign spies is at an all-time high, he added. 

While delivering his annual threat assessment in Canberra, the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (Asio) chief outlined a "concerted campaign" to infiltrate the Australian media to shape reporting and gain information on sources.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Australia's spy boss is getting some push-back .... ASIO head says espionage is 'principal security concern' but some Australians don't understand the threat it poses (SKY News). 

More News On Australia's Spy Boss Detailing Unprecedented Espionage Dangers  

Judges, journalists and military veterans targeted in 'unprecedented' spy threat on Australia -- ABC News Australia  

Australian spy boss details unprecedented espionage danger -- AP  

ASIO boss warns on foreign interference, spy hives -- Sydney Morning Herald

The Head Of Australia's Intelligence Agencies Says The Five-Eyes Focus Is Now On China

 

ABC News Australia: Australian Secret Intelligence Service boss Paul Symon says Australian agencies will be busier as focus shifts to Indo-Pacific 

The nation's overseas spy chief has warned that Australian intelligence agencies are likely to face heavier responsibilities as Western nations grapple with an increasingly assertive and powerful China. 

The director-general of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS), Paul Symon, who is due to retire shortly, gave a wide-ranging speech to the National Security College in Canberra earlier this week. 

Mr Symon said that during the Cold War the "batting order" among Western intelligence agencies was clear, with the United States taking the lead, followed next by the United Kingdom, and then Canada and Australia after that.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Director-general of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS), Paul Symon, makes it very clear in the above video that China is now the focus for the Five-Eyes intelligence organization.

Australian Prime Minister Concedes Election Defeat

 

Daily Mail: Australia's new PM Anthony Albanese makes powerful victory speech with girlfriend Jodie and declares Aussies 'voted for change' - before losing his temper at raucous crowd 

* Scott Morrison has been booted from power with Anthony Albanese replacing him as Prime Minister 

* There was a big swing to the ALP in Western Australia with Swan, Pearce and Hasluck turning red 

* Liberal heavyweight Josh Frydenberg has probably lost his seat to 'teal' independent Monique Ryan 

* Labor may need the support of the Greens and independents to form government with 76 seats needed 

Anthony Albanese has declared 'Aussies have voted for change' in his victory speech after securing an historic election win - and also blasted rowdy supporters in a cranky outburst. 

Mr Albanese will become Australia's 31st Prime Minister after winning at least nine seats from the Liberal Party, but may still need support from the Greens and independents to govern. 

After receiving a concession call from Scott Morrison, the Labor leader addressed jubilant supporters in Sydney shortly before midnight. 

Read more .... 

Australian Prime Minister Concedes Election Defeat

Federal election 2022 live updates: Anthony Albanese delivers victory speech, Scott Morrison concedes defeat as Labor wins government -- ABC News Australia  

Live: Albanese leads Labor to Australia election win -- BBC  

Australian election 2022: Anthony Albanese claims victory as Scott Morrison stands down as Liberal leader – live updates -- The Guardian  

Australian prime minister concedes election defeat -- AP  

Australia's conservative PM Scott Morrison concedes election defeat -- France 24  

Australia election: conservative government voted out after nearly a decade -- The Guardian  

Australian voters deliver strong message on climate, ending conservative government's 9-year rule -- CNN  

Australian Labor Party defeats Prime Minister Scott Morrison's coalition, projections say -- DW  

From public housing to Prime Minister, who is Labor leader Anthony Albanese? -- ABC News Australia

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison Calls An Election For May 21st 2022

 

BBC: Australia election: PM Scott Morrison calls poll for 21 May 

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called a federal election for 21 May. 

Mr Morrison's ruling coalition holds 76 seats in the House of Representatives - the minimum needed to retain power. 

Polls suggest there will be a change of government, with the opposition Labor party, led by Anthony Albanese, tipped to take office. 

However, in the last election, Scott Morrison won despite most polls predicting otherwise. 

Mr Morrison announced the date after talks with the Governor General in the capital, Canberra.  

Read more .... 

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison Calls An Election For May 21st 2022  

Federal Election 2022 - Australia Votes -- ABC News Australia  

Australia news live updates: Scott Morrison launches 2022 federal election campaign, setting poll date for 21 May -- The Guardian  

Australian prime minister calls May election -- AP  

Australian election 2022: Scott Morrison calls federal election for 21 May -- The Guardian  

Morrison and Albanese are facing off in the election. This is what the polls have to say — and what to look for next -- ABC News Australia  

Australian election 2022 voters’ guide: everything you need to know -- The Guardian 

Explainer: How is the Australian government elected? -- 9 News

Australia's Largest Warship Suffers Major Power Failure During Tonga Humanitarian Mission

Landing Helicopter Dock HMAS Adelaide sits alongside Nuku’alofa to deliver humanitarian stores and medical supplies as part of OP TONGA ASSIST 22. Australian Defence Department Photo 

USNI News: Aussie Big Deck Adelaide Suffers Power Outage During Tonga Aid Operations 

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Landing helicopter dock HMAS Adelaide (L01), currently engaged in humanitarian and disaster relief operations in Tonga, has suffered a power outrage, the Australian Department of Defence confirmed today. 

The outage has not affected the ship’s ability to respond to any requirements in Tonga. 

The statement from the Australian DOD followed Australian media reports on the outage. The DOD confirmed that the outage has not impacted food supplies, air conditioning is functioning aboard much of the ship, the sanitation and refrigeration systems are functioning and that the ship is not being towed.  

Read more .... 

Australia's Largest Warship Suffers Major Power Failure During Tonga Humanitarian Mission 

HMAS Adelaide suffers power failure during Tongan mission after volcanic eruption -- ABC News Australia  

Claims sailors are enduring scorching conditions to repair 'stranded' HMAS Adelaide as reinforcements arrive -- ABC News Australia  

Power outage hits Australian navy vessel delivering critical aid to Tonga -- SBS News  

Australia's Largest Warship Suffers Power Failure During Humanitarian Mission -- Sputnik  

Australia’s largest warship HMAS Adelaide ‘crippled’ during mission to Tonga -- News.com.au  

Australia’s biggest warship ‘crippled’ -- RT

Australia's Queensland Provincial Government Moves To Seize Homes, Bank Accounts, And Other Assets For Unpaid Covid Fines And Other Penalties

The State Penalties Enforcement Register is chasing $5.2m in unpaid Covid-19 fines from individuals and businesses who are accused of flouting rule during the pandemic  

Daily Mail: Thousands of Australians with unpaid fines for breaking Covid rules have their homes seized, bank accounts raided and licences cancelled as government chases $5.2million 

* State Penalties Enforcement Register chasing $5.2m in unpaid Covid-19 fines 

* Queensland Health is using SPER to crackdown on 3,046 unpaid penalty notices 

* 2,755 fines were from individuals & businesses accused of flouting Covid rules 

* SPER also to collect $5.7 million in repayments on overdue hotel quarantine bills 

Queenslanders who received fines for breaking Covid-19 rules risk having their homes seized and bank accounts frozen in a government crackdown to collect $5.2 million in repayments. 

The State Penalties Enforcement Register is expected to collect 3,046 unpaid fines from the pandemic on behalf of Queensland Health. 

More than 2,755 fines were from individuals and businesses accused of breaking Covid-19 restrictions and the rest either still under investigation or pending payment. 

Read more ....  

Update #1: Banks raided, property seized, licences cancelled in COVID cost recovery (Brisbane Times)  

Update #2: COVID Madness Down Under Continues – State Now Confiscating Bank Accounts, Property, Licenses and Businesses if COVID Fines Not Paid While Unemployed Workers Locked Down (The Last Refuge) 

WNU Editor: We are talking about a lot of money, and not necessarily from Covid fines .... Queenslanders owe more than a billion dollars in unpaid fines (9News)

Australian C-17 Globemaster Conducts Insane Maneuvers Between Brisbane Skyscrapers (Video)

 

Task & Purpose: Watch an Australian C-17 weave between skyscrapers in ‘insane’ video 

"If the crew's timing is off or if they are slow to react, the jet would collide with a building." 

Big, slow and bulky, the C-17 Globemaster III cargo jet may not be the first aircraft that comes to mind for pulling off insane aerial stunts, but that didn’t stop a crew of Royal Australian Air Force aviators from doing it anyway. 

In a video posted to the unofficial U.S. Air Force subreddit on Thursday, you can watch as an RAAF C-17 zooms between skyscrapers in Brisbane, Australia, while some enthusiastic onlookers drop some very colorful commentary behind the camera. 

The fly-by, which happens regularly as part of the annual Sunsuper Riverfire festival, was a practice run ahead of the formal event scheduled to take place on Saturday, according to a RAAF press release.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The action starts at the 1:36 mark in the above video.

Covid-19 Revolt Grows In Australia

 

Daily Mail: Australian police fire rubber bullets to clear demonstration at Melbourne's war memorial as third day of rallies by anti-vaxxers turns violent 

* Hundreds of protesters stormed Melbourne's WWI Shrine of Remembrance on Wednesday afternoon 

* After a tense standoff throughout the day, riot squad cops fired rubber bullets to disperse the rowdy mob 

* Several protesters were arrested during start of third day of anti-vaxx demonstrations 

* It came in response to the closure of the construction industry due to soaring cases of coronavirus 

* Daniel Andrews and Prime Minister Scott Morrison have condemned the violence and called for calm 

Police have fired rubber bullets, stinger grenades and pepper balls at anti-vaxx protesters stationed at Melbourne's war memorial on a third day of violent demonstrations. 

Around 400 people, who have been rallying to demand an end to mandatory vaccinations for construction workers, swarmed Victoria's Shrine of Remembrance which was built to honour the state's men and women who served in the First World War. 

Throughout Wednesday the mob chanted 'lest we forget' as they stood in front of the monument, some decked out in body armour and helmets in anticipation of a police attack while others urged officers not to arrest them out of 'respect for the Anzacs'.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Melbourne police arrest 200 at COVID-19 lockdown protests (Reuters)  

Update #2: Melbourne police break up anti-lockdown protest with non-lethal rounds and teargas (The Guardian)  

WNU Editor: Rebel News reporter Avi Yemeni has been covering these growing protests in Australia for months. Check out his latest report below where hundreds (if not more) steelworkers are attacking their union house for supporting vaccine mandates (starts at the 7:00 mark in the video): 

Australia Scraps $90 Billion Program To Build 12 French-Designed Submarines. Will Build U.S.-U.K. Nuclear Configured Subs Instead

Australia will use American and British technology to configure its next submarine fleet in a bid to replace its existing Collins class subs.PHOTO: SUBMARINE GROUP 7/FACEBOOK  

ABC News Australia: Australia to get nuclear-powered submarines, will scrap $90b program to build French-designed subs 

Australia's next submarine fleet will be nuclear-powered under an audacious plan that will see a controversial $90 billion program to build up to 12 French-designed submarines scrapped. 

The ABC understands Australia will use American and British technology to configure its next submarine fleet in a bid to replace its existing Collins class subs with a boat more suitable to the deteriorating strategic environment. 

Australia, the United States and Britain are expected to jointly announce a new trilateral security partnership on Thursday, with a focus on aligning technology and regional challenges. 

Read more ....  

Update: Australia to get nuclear-powered submarines in pact with US, UK: Report (Straits Times)  

WNU Editor: This is a heads-up on what will be announced tomorrow .... Australia, US, And The UK To Announce A Landmark New Defence Pact.

This Is What Really Happened At The Rally For Freedom In Melbourne, Australia (Video)

 

WNU Editor: This reminds me of my own experience in Montreal almost 3 months ago .... Massive Anti-Covid-19 Lockdown Protest In Montreal (May 1, 2021). The main stream media said one thing, but the reality on the ground was completely different.

Australia To Upgrade Military Bases And Expand Wargames With The U.S.

One of Australia's most senior security officials earlier this week said that liberal democracies must brace for war.PHOTO: REUTERS  

Reuters: Australia to upgrade military bases, expand wargames with US: The Australian 

SYDNEY (REUTERS) - Australia will spend A$747 million (S$771 million) to upgrade four military bases in its north and expand war games with the United States, Prime Minister Scott Morrison will say on Wednesday (April 28). 

An airstrip in the Northern Territory will be lengthened to support larger aircraft, firing ranges overhauled and new training facilities set up for defence personnel and US marines, according to extracts of the announcement seen by Reuters. 

“Working with the United States, our allies and Indo-Pacific neighbours, we will continue to advance Australia’s interests by investing in the Australian ­Defence Force,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison will say.  

Read more .... 

More News On Australia Upgrading Its Military Bases

Multi-million expansion of Australian military bases in signal to China -- 9 News  

Northern Territory bases get $747m boost after ‘drums of war’ warning -- News.com.au  

Australia to spend $747 million upgrading Northern Territory defence bases -- SBS News  

Scott Morrison unveils $747 million defence facilities upgrade as China brands Australia ‘sick’ -- News.com.au

Senior Australian Security Official Says That Indo-Pacific Nations Are 'Again Hearing The Beating Drums Of War' Amid Rising Tensions With China

 

DW: Australia: Security official warns of 'drums of war' 

China's tensions with Taiwan and trade rows with Australia are prompting concern in Canberra. But some Australian politicians were not happy with one security official's "drums of war" remark. 

A senior Australian security official warned that Indo-Pacific nations "again hear the beating drums" of war amid rising tensions, The Australian newspaper reported on Tuesday. 

The remarks come as a rift deepens between Australia and China over trade issues and Beijing's approach to Taiwan. 

"Today, as free nations again hear the beating drums and watch worryingly the militarization of issues that we had, until recent years, thought unlikely to be catalysts for war," Department of Home Affairs Secretary Mike Pezzullo said in a message to his staff on Sunday.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This senior Australian security official has been told to "tone it down" .... Home affairs secretary Mike Pezzullo urged to ‘tone it down’ after ‘drums of war’ speech (The Guardian). 

More News On A Senior Australian Security Official Saying That Indo-Pacific Nations Are 'Again Hearing The Beating Drums Of War'  

Australia security official warns staff of 'drums of war' -- ABC News (AP)  

Australian official warns drums of war are beating -- Reuters  

Australia warns of 'drums of war' after China slams country for Taiwan comments -- Taiwan News  

Australia security official warns nations are ‘beating drums’ of war amid Asia-Pacific tensions -- RT

Australian Defence Minister Overturns Decision To Strip 3000 Veterans Of Military Decorations Who Served In Afghanistan Because Of 'War Crimes' Report

New defence minister Peter Dutton will not strip 3000 Australian soldiers of their SAS medals  

Daily Mail: 3000 Aussie special forces soldiers who served in Afghanistan WON'T have their medals stripped over 'war crimes' report - as Peter Dutton overturns defence chief's controversial decision 

* 3000 Australian soldiers who served in Afghanistan won't be stripped of medals 

* New defence minister Peter Dutton said soldiers will retain their service awards 

* Only soldiers found guilty of war crimes or dismissed from army will be stripped 

* Army chief then said all SAS should lose citation as 'collective responsibility'

Australian soldiers who served in Afghanistan won't be stripped of their medals because of war crime allegations facing some special forces soldiers, defence minister Peter Dutton has announced. 

Defence Force chief Angus Campbell recommended Meritorious Unit Citations be taken from three thousand soldiers from Special Operations Task Groups that served in Afghanistan from April 2007 to December 2013. 

Described as 'collective responsibility' by Mr Campbell, the move was originally recommended by Justice Paul Brereton whose report alleged 39 murders were perpetrated by Australian soldiers serving in Afghanistan over eleven years.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Many good Australian soldiers died in Afghanistan. Stripping them of their medals because of the actions of a few is not right. 

More News On The Australian Defence Minister Overturning The Decision To Strip 3000 Veterans Of Military Decorations Who Served In Afghanistan  

Defence Minister Peter Dutton overturns decision to strip veterans of military decorations -- ABC News (Australia)  

ADF Afghanistan veterans will keep 3000 war citations after all -- 9News  

Australia reverses decision to withhold medals from veterans -- Seattle Times/AP  

Thousands of special forces soldiers will not be stripped of Afghanistan honours -- Sydney Morning Herald  

Peter Dutton blocks decision by ADF chief Angus Campbell to strip veterans of medals -- SBS News

Australian Navy Ship Twerking Video Causes An Uproar

 

 ABC News (Australia): Dance troupe 101 Doll Squadron defends performance at HMAS Supply launch in Sydney 

A Sydney dance troupe whose performance at the launch of a new $2 billion navy ship was panned as inappropriate have blamed coverage by the ABC and other media for making them feel "threatened" and "unsafe", after footage of the routine went viral. 

The group, known as 101 Doll Squadron, singled out the ABC for what they called "deceptive editing". In a widely circulated ABC video, the troupe are seen performing — and at times, "twerking" — in front of stony-faced dignitaries attending the launch of the HMAS Supply in Woolloomooloo.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Why Australia is in hysterics over a 'navy twerking' dance (BBC)  

Update #2: Twerking dancers performing on new Aussie navy ship denounce ‘creepy’ state TV network for ‘publicly upskirting’ them (RT)  

WNU Editor: Bottom line. There will be no more twerking performances when a Navy ship is commissioned in Australia ..... Australia bans twerking troupes at navy ceremonies (The Times).

Australia Breaks-Up Spy Ring

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation ASIO Director General Mike Burgess gave his annual speech at ASIO headquarters. Credit: MICK TSIKAS/AAPIMAGE 

Daily Mail: Australian Associated Press: ASIO smashes foreign spy nest that successfully recruited a government official - but China was NOT behind the espionage ring 

 * Foreign spies numbering in the double figures have been kicked out of Australia 

 * In 2020 ASIO investigated a 'nest' of foreign spies not believed to be from China 

 * They were targeting relationships with current and former politicians

 * Group successfully recruited an Australian government security holder Australia's domestic intelligence agency 

ASIO has shown the door to foreign spies numbering in 'double figures' over the past year. 

Australian Security Intelligence Organization director-general Mike Burgess on Wednesday delivered his second annual threat assessment in Canberra. 

He said espionage and foreign interference continued to be levelled at not only the federal government but all Australian states and territories. 

Read more .... 

Update #1: ASIO removes ‘nest’ of foreign spies from Australia after ‘sensitive’ targets uncovered (7 News) 

Update #2: Australia rumbles 'nest of spies' targeting defence tech (France 24) 

WNU Editor: Australia's spy chief was very clear that China was not behind this spy ring. But he choose to not name what country these foreign spies were working for.

Facebook Faces Worldwide Backlash From Publishers And Politicians After Blocking News Feeds In Australia

 

Reuters: Facebook 'unfriends' Australia: global uproar as news pages go dark 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Facebook faced a worldwide backlash from publishers and politicians on Thursday after blocking news feeds in Australia in a surprise escalation of a dispute with the government over a law to require it to share revenue from news. 

Facebook wiped out pages from Australian state governments and charities as well as from domestic and international news organisations, three days before the launch of a nationwide COVID-19 vaccination programme. 

Though the measure was limited to Australia, denunciations came from far afield, with politicians elsewhere describing it as an attempt to put pressure on governments that are considering similar measures around the world.

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: Facebook is not deterred .... Facebook unrepentant as Prime Minister dubs emergency services block 'arrogant' (ABC News Australia). 

 More News On Facebook Blocking News Feeds In Australia

#DeleteFacebook! Campaign to ditch the social media giant surges on Twitter as Dem lawmaker says blocking all news from Australians 'wasn't compatible with democracy' -- Daily Mail 

Facebook blocks users from sharing news in Australia -- CNET 

Reaction to Facebook blocking Australian news -- Reuters 

‘Arrogant’ and ‘wrong’: Australia slams Facebook’s move to block news as unnecessary and heavy-handed -- CNET 

Australia will not be intimidated by Facebook ‘unfriending’ it, says Scott Morrison -- The Independent 

Prime minister Scott Morrison attacks Facebook for 'arrogant' move to 'unfriend Australia' -- The Guardian 

Pacific media warns Facebook ban on Australian news could have serious effects in the region -- ABC News (Australia) 

Facebook shares fall by 1% as the company pays the price for declaring war with Australia and blocking all news content -- Daily Mail 

Facebook shares dip as Wall Street ponders Australia news fallout -- Reuters 

Throwing the book at Facebook: How the platform that rivals governments for power left a trail of scandals, privacy breaches and censorship in its wake before declaring war on Australia -- Daily Mail 

Explainer: Australia's news revenue-sharing law behind battle with Big Tech -- Reuters 

Why Facebook banned news in Australia, but Google cut a deal instead with News Corp. and Murdoch -- VOX

Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Believes U.S. Will Back Down on Taiwan

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (L) shakes hands with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at Parliament House in Canberra June 20, 2010. 

Newsweek: Xi Jinping Wants To Emulate Mao, Thinks U.S. Will Back Down on Taiwan: Ex-Australia PM 

Xi Jinping would achieve Mao Zedong-level status in the Chinese Communist Party by capturing Taiwan and aims to do so in the coming decade by outcompeting the U.S. military, former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has said. 

Rudd, now president of the Asia Society in New York, published his thoughts in the upcoming March/April issue of Foreign Affairs, in which he calls the next 10 years "the decade of living dangerously." 

Taiwan is among the flashpoints in the Asia-Pacific where Washington and Beijing are likely to clash in the 2020s. Chinese leader Xi is growing in confidence as senior policymakers in Beijing view the U.S. as a power in "irreversible decline," wrote Rudd. 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: Sad to say .... but former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's analysis is probably correct.

Australia Begins Crackdown On Social Media Following President Trump's Ban

 

Sydney Morning Herald: 'Threat to democracy is real': MPs call for social media code of conduct 

Social media companies would have to sign up to an Australian code of conduct on the way they silence free speech and shut down accounts, under a federal push for greater oversight after Twitter and Facebook suspended posts by US President Donald Trump. 

Liberal MPs called for the voluntary code as a practical first step to introduce transparency and accountability to public debate on the online platforms, while raising the prospect of passing new federal laws to mandate the code if necessary. 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: These lawmakers know that they could be next. 

The Australian government also does not like Twitter's double standard .... 

.... Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack has slammed Twitter's move and questioned why the company took down Mr Trump's tweets when it would not remove a Chinese Foreign Ministry tweet last year that showed an Australian soldier holding a knife to a young child's throat. 

The problem is what to do. Australian lawmakers are struggling to name a policy solution to a private company, in this case Twitter, and it's control of the content posted on its site. 

I say look at what Poland is doing. 

Their law outlines the legal consequences should Twitter or any other social media company bans content that is permitted under Polish law .... 

.... According to the draft law, the administration of social media websites will not be allowed to delete posts or suspend users’ unless if the content presented as a basis for the decision violates the Polish law. 

Should they do that, the user will be given a right to make a complaint to the administration. The social media website can even be sued if the answer is unsatisfactory or the website’s administrators fail to respond to the complaint within 48 hours. (Poland readies law blocking social media from banning users, Euractiv). 

The Poles are onto something. Institute a social media code of conduct. If you are banned even though you comply to the country's "code of conduct", you should have the opportunity to go to a court and demand damages. 

Poland and Australia are also discussing implementing legal consequences for Google and social media companies should they decide to shadow ban users for content that these tech companies do not favor. IMHO this is something that I pray that they will institute, and that other countries follow suit. This action alone will help to balance out the terrible ideological imbalance that now exists on social media.