The Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell, has shelved any punishment for seven senior army officers who failed to prevent war crimes on their watch in Afghanistan, and has exonerated a further 21, saying they should “learn from their...
Peter Dutton
Budget 2022-23 released, Defence strategy unveiled
Tuesday 29th Mar 2022
A multi-billion-dollar investment in new national cyber and intelligence capabilities are among a range of measures outlined in the Commonwealth government’s pre-election Budget. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has handed down the 2022-23 Budget, announcing Project REDSPICE...
Defence: Hypersonics at core of newly operational Space Command
Tuesday 22nd Mar 2022
The Royal Australian Air Force’s new space division has today commenced operation, with managing hypersonic threats and enhancing space-powered ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) capabilities to be among its core responsibilities. The Australian...
Defence Commentary – Man on a mission: Peter Dutton keeps Defence staff at arm’s length
Tuesday 18th May 2021
Peter Dutton has insulated his ministerial office from interference by Defence, accepting only the bare minimum of departmental staff as he prepares to shake up his $44bn portfolio. The Australian has learned the Defence Minister has allowed just two departmental...
Future officers need to ‘correct’ the direction the military is heading: Army Vet Justin Huggett
Thursday 6th May 2021
In a TV interview with Alan Jones, Army and RAR veteran Justin Huggett MG opines, “You can either have a military that is a “direct reflection” of your society or you can have a military that “fights and wins – you cannot have both”. “I genuinely hope for the future...
Peter Dutton makes start on telling truth about defence mistakes
Wednesday 5th May 2021
Full marks to new minister Peter Dutton for making a start on telling the truth about Australia’s defence mess by highlighting that the nation has had far too many defence ministers over the last two decades. In all there have been 11. Most were inexperienced and...
Opinion: Can Dutton Save the Army from the Generals?
Tuesday 4th May 2021
This article is from the May 3 issue of The Courier Mail Digital Edition. Justin Huggett is a former Infantry Platoon Sergeant and a Medal for Gallantry (MG) recipient “IF YOU spend a long enough time as an enlisted soldier, you start picking up common themes...
Peter Dutton reveals how Australian troops will fight greater threats and uncertainty at home
Sunday 25th Apr 2021
Peter Dutton has revealed the new focus for Australia’s troops that served in the Middle East with more threats on our doorstep including China. Exclusive: Australian Defence Forces will return to “core business” in defending Australia’s interests with uncertain times...
We’ve got your backs, Dutton tells Diggers
Saturday 10th Apr 2021
Ben Packham The Australian Newspaper’s Foreign Affairs and Defence correspondent reports 8th April 2021. Peter Dutton says his top priority as Defence Minister is repairing an ADF-wide morale slump that has followed the Brereton report, reassuring the nation’s serving...