THE die is cast and Australia has a Labor government committed, in opposition at least, to making defence and veterans a priority. It’s early days yet, but there are growing concerns in the wider defence community as to government priorities and appointees’...
Commentators
Opinion – Conflict is a real danger and we are totally unprepared
Monday 25th Apr 2022
As the uncertain but deeply ominous storm clouds of a global struggle for dominance gather again, there appears to be a worrying lack of urgency in Australia. I grew up in the shadow of war, the son of a man who bravely bore the scars of unmentionable conflict. It...
Warriors to Wonder if Sacrifice is Worthwhile
Saturday 23rd Apr 2022
JUST when you thought it was safe to leave the bunker, someone called an election. This column tries to focus on defence, though Australia’s future defence is critically dependent on who controls the treasury benches come June. Whoever has their hands on...
SUBMISSIONS TO RCB DHAAT INQUIRY
Monday 18th Apr 2022
At long last the Minister decided to appoint an independent inquiry into medallic recognition of RCB service with the DHAAT. Information about the inquiry, and how to make a submission, can be found on the Tribunal’s...
Appreciation – Minister Gee’s Decision to Appoint an Independent Inquiry
Monday 18th Apr 2022
The RCBRG thanks the Minister for initiating the current inquiry by DHAAT into the service of Rifle Company Butterworth 1970-1989. For many years the Department of Defence have been holding up previous, flawed, reviews as a reason that a new inquiry into RCB service...
Australian Defence Force doesn’t need any scrutiny by ABC reporters
Saturday 16th Apr 2022
PARDON me for wondering, but when was the ABC added to the ADF order of battle to act as moral conscience under the Defence Force Discipline Act? More than moral conscience, for that role rightly falls to the padres and good leaders. Increasingly it seems...
Opinion – Russia ready to kill those who oppose it
Saturday 9th Apr 2022
There’s one thing Russia’s rulers can’t tolerate. It is those who challenge their self-assumed total authority. If there’s one thing history has demonstrated about Russia’s behaviour it is that they will ruthlessly eliminate those who do. READ MORE
Independent Tribunal to reconsider medallic recognition for Rifle Company Butterworth
Thursday 7th Apr 2022
The independent Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal will re-examine the issue of medallic recognition for Australians who served with Rifle Company Butterworth in Malaysia between 1970 and 1989. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Andrew Gee...
Opinion – Much to Worry About in our own Region
Saturday 2nd Apr 2022
Developing regional tensions should concern Australians as much as events in Ukraine. READ MORE
Commentary – RCB Nature of Service as Warlike
Friday 25th Mar 2022
There is a long running dispute between the RCBRG and the Defence Department on the rightful categorisation of RCB’s service in Malaysia 1970 – 1989 to protect the RAAF assets at Air Base Butterworth (ABB) during the Communist Insurgency (1969-1989). Defence records...