Category: Richard Marles

US Gives Go Ahead for New Lethal Hardware for Australia

The Australian Defence Forces (ADF) just became more lethal after the United States government greenlit the sale of long-range guided missiles and their supporting equipment. The sale, which is estimated to cost the federal government around $750 million (US$506 million), will see Australia acquire up to 63 of the U.S. new medium-range air-to-ground Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range…


Australian MPs’ Offices to Replace China-Made Surveillance Equipment

Australian lawmakers confirmed a nationwide campaign was underway to remove China-made cameras from their constituency offices over fears they contain spyware. In a Senate estimates hearing on Feb. 14, Department of Finance officials said there were 65 offices that have Chinese-manufactured Hikvision and Dahua security cameras installed, with 45 offices yet to have the cameras…


New Laws on Their Way in Response to Chinese Pilot Training Probe

New laws are on their way to stop ex-military personnel from training or sharing secrets with a foreign entity without express government permission, according to Defence Minister Richard Marles. Marles revealed the moves following revelations two Australian-based former pilots (one from the United States and the other British) were under investigation for training Chinese fighter…


Defence Force Review Completed, Next Steps to Be Determined in ‘Weeks’

The federal government is now considering the results of a six-month review of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to determine whether it is fit for purpose to deal with a militarily aggressive Chinese Communist Party. The report was ordered last August by the newly elected Labor government and came just two years after the 2020…


‘People Won’t Care Until They Feel the Burn’

An Australian supply chain worker based in Melbourne may have forgotten about an email he wrote two years ago if not seeing the news of the Australian federal government “riddled with CCP spyware.” The email was sent to the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV), one of Australia’s largest motoring clubs, which offers a range…


‘People Won’t Care Until They Feel the Burn’: Worker

An Australian supply chain worker based in Melbourne may have forgotten about an email he wrote two years ago if not seeing the news of the Australian federal government “riddled with CCP spyware.” The email was sent to the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV), one of Australia’s largest motoring clubs, which offers a range…


“This Is New to Me’: Former Australian PM Says He Never Heard of Chinese Spy Balloon Program

Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he wasn’t aware of the Chinese spy balloon programme until now. “I don’t recall a balloon discussion,” he told ABC’s RN Breakfast on Tuesday, “This is new to me as it is to most people.” He added this revelation is concerning and that it’s “puzzling” that the balloons…


AUKUS Increases Australia’s Sovereignty, Not Dependence on US: Defence Minister

Australia’s alliance with the United States, including the AUKUS partnership, enhances rather than diminishes the country’s sovereignty, Defence Minister Richard Marles remarked. In a statement to the House on Feb. 9, Marles repudiated critics of the AUKUS alliance, such as former prime ministers Paul Keating and Malcolm Turnbull, who argue the acquisition of nuclear submarines…


US Says ‘Significant Progress’ Made Toward Australia’s Acquisition of Nuclear Subs at Earliest Date

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Saturday that “significant progress” has been made toward Australia’s acquisition of a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines “at the earliest possible date” under the AUKUS security pact. Austin met with Australian defense minister Richard Marles in Washington on Saturday to discuss the trilateral AUKUS (which includes the UK) partnership,…


Defense Secretary Austin Welcomes Australian Defense Minister to Pentagon

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hosts a Pentagon honor cordon at 1:00 p.m. ET on Feb. 3 to welcome Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles. …