Monday 31 October, 2005

Bi-weekly report from the Nautilus Institute at RMIT, Australia.

1. Howard On Target With The Military
2. Hill’s Future In Doubt
3. Defence Spending Criticism Irks Senior Analyst
4. High Levels of Radioactive Contamination In French Polynesia
5. Pacific Community Concept Welcomed By Forum
6. Anxious Media Look To Law, Not Faith, To Guard Reporting Rights
7. Without Answers, Terror Laws Should Be Rejected

1. Howard On Target With The Military
   Greg Sheridan, Australian 2005-10-29

   Within Australia, Howard has come to dominate not only the national security debate but also specifically the public expression of our national military culture. This is an elusive but important political phenomenon.

2. Hill’s Future In Doubt
   Patrick Walters, Australian, 2005-10-31

   John Howard has put off major decisions on the direction of the defence force and the defence budget until next year, prompting renewed speculation about the departure of the minister, Robert Hill.

3. Defence Spending Criticism Irks Senior Analyst
   Geoffrey Barker AFR, 2005-10-28

   Michael O’Connor, a senior defence analyst lashed out at Treasury Secretary Ken Henry’s warning on future defence budget reductions. O’Connor also rejected the claim that slower population growth would have serious consequences for defence recruiting. (this url link requires a paid subscription)

4. High Levels of Radioactive Contamination In French Polynesia
   NZPA, NZH, 2005-10-29

   The French Pacific Teritory president Oscar Temaru has accused the French Government of a high-level cover-up over health and environmental consequences of nuclear testing. In July, Mr Temaru set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the tests. It is due to report back in November.

5. Pacific Community Concept Welcomed By Forum
   Interviewer Graeme Dobell, Radio Australia 2005-10-28

   Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific support a plan to create a Pacific Union. Speakers: Secretary General of Pacific Islands forum Greg Urwin; Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Don Mckinnon; Australian Prime Minister John Howard; French Polynesia’s President Oscar Temaru.

6. Anxious Media Look To Law, Not Faith, To Guard Reporting Rights
   Tom Allard, SMH 2005-10-31

   The media are deeply worried that the proposed anti-terrorism laws will infringe on the work of journalists and substantially curb freedom of speech.

7. Without Answers, Terror Laws Should Be Rejected
   Hugh White, Lowy Institute 2005-10-31

   Australia’s legal framework for tackling terrorism is examined in order to judge whether the “benefits of the [proposed] new laws outweight the costs”.