Labor’s ambitions in the Pacific
The Pacific watchers amongst us tally up how many times the term “Pacific islands” is mentioned and then whether the speaker ticks boxes on climate change, security, labour mobility, infrastructure, partnership, soft power, gender equality, and dealing with the rise of China.
We’ve had a bingo bonanza this week, with first Opposition Leader Bill Shorten at the Lowy Institute then Shadow Foreign Minister Penny Wong at the APEC Study Centre proving they have listened, consulted, considered, and developed sound policies that should resonate with our Pacific island neighbours.
Chinese fishing fleet a security issue for Australia
By David Brewster*
China’s fishing fleet has been at the forefront of disputes in the South China Sea, and the expansion of China's fleet into...
Industry, engineering, collaboration feature at submarine conference
With around 300 delegates attending to see numerous high-level presentations, the 9th Biennial Submarine Institute of Australia (SIA) Conference 2018 has been a success....
Norwegian naval ship warned of collision course
A Norwegian warship was repeatedly warned of its collision course with a Maltese oil tanker before then hitting it in a fjord, the BBC...
New RAN ship to cruise the Pacific
The Federal Government is pledging to build a large, new naval ship that will cruise the south Pacific and help Australia’s neighbours deal with...
CN tells of three-year submarine trial
The chief of Australia’s navy has revealed that the first of the new fleet of submarines will likely not be fully operational until 2035...
Grey zone operations and the maritime domain
By James Goldrick
The ‘grey zone’ has received much publicity over the past decade as certain nation-states have employed indirect methods to gain advantages over...
100TH Anniversary of the end of World War I
The Naval Historical Society of Australia outlines the role of the RAN in World War I
The newest navy in the world at the beginning...
Hard times in Australian strategic thinking
By Rod Lyon*
Australia has long been ‘the lucky country’—basking in endless beaches, summer barbecues, democratic government, and mineral wealth. It’s also been lucky in...
Exports critical for Australia’s defence industry
By Kate Louis*
The federal government’s defence export strategy, released in January 2018, is paving the way for a new era of success for the...