{"id":25522,"date":"2022-03-11T07:39:18","date_gmt":"2022-03-10T23:39:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dingo.news\/voice\/?p=25522"},"modified":"2024-08-09T00:08:19","modified_gmt":"2024-08-08T16:08:19","slug":"the-albanese-doctrine-dont-play-politics-with-security-labor-moves-further-right-under-albo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dingo.news\/voice\/the-albanese-doctrine-dont-play-politics-with-security-labor-moves-further-right-under-albo\/","title":{"rendered":"The Albanese doctrine: \u2018Don\u2019t play politics with security\u2019 – (Labor moves even further Right under “Albo”) – Annotated by Mick Lawless"},"content":{"rendered":"

If anyone believed an “Albo” led Labor government would be more social democratic and less neoliberal<\/a><\/span> than their Hawke\/Keating\/Rudd\/Gillard predecessors, this Greg Sheridan article about Murdoch’s new favourite for PM should disabuse of them of such notions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Political pundits were predicting a “khaki” election<\/span><\/a> from the LNP, but Labor have come out swinging with their own plans to waste 1000s of billions of Public monies on bolstering the American military industrial complex and heightening tensions in our region. <\/span><\/p>\n

I’d call Sheridan’s article a “puff piece” but that seems a little too abrasive for what’s going on here.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t
Greg Sheridan is The Australian’s foreign editor. His most recent book is Christians, the urgent case for Jesus in our world.<\/em><\/strong><\/span> Sheridan’s another fan of the China threat paradigm that has been crudely grafted onto the Putin\/Hitler model currently being assembled by Western propagandists. Labor’s non-performance as an opposition<\/span><\/a> and their compliance with US military interests is clearly something he considers praise worthy.<\/span>\n<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n <\/span><\/span>\n <\/span>\n“Overall, the Albanese opposition, like the Bill Shorten opposition before it, has stood with the government in support of the US alliance, and against Beijing\u2019s increasingly aggressive posturing.” <\/span>source<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/p>\n

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\n\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

The Albanese doctrine: \u2018Don\u2019t play politics with security\u2019 <\/strong>by Greg Sheridan<\/strong><\/span> (Annotated by Mick Lawless)<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n

Also trading as<\/span><\/p>\n

Albanese rejects Keating\u2019s view: \u2018China has changed\u2019<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span>
\nAnthony Albanese sees himself as part of the \u201csensible\u201d social democratic tradition in national security. Picture Glenn Hampson<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By Greg Sheridan<\/span>
\nFebruary 25, 2022<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If Australia does end up getting nuclear-powered submarines through the AUKUS agreement with the US and Britain, these powerful boats will have a most unlikely hero.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Albanese doctrine? That just amuses me coming from the Murdoch press. “Albo’s” apparently transformed from Andrew Bolt’s snarling socialist<\/a>,<\/span> Hamas loving, Tory-fighting greenie, into a “heroic” hawk, championing tax cuts<\/a><\/span> and productivity<\/a><\/span> who loves Israel<\/a> <\/span>while (intellectually<\/em>) supporting Palestinian rights.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Scott Morrison initiated the idea and brought the process to agreement. So he\u2019s the prime mover. US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made it happen.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The idea of Morrison being a prime mover in “anything” is just fantastical. Even Murdoch can’t save this pathetic no-hoper whose list of failures include massive corruption<\/a><\/span>, economic decline, (unless you’re a billionaire<\/a><\/span>) irresponsible ecocide<\/a><\/span>, pandemic ineptitude<\/a><\/span> and an absolute knack of letting victims of Climate Change disasters fend for themselves. <\/span><\/span>This is a more extensive list<\/span><\/a>, but still only a fraction of a percent of the ineptitude and fiscal and moral corruption that permeates this country.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>\n

Morrison inspects the flood damage (found on Twitter)
\n<\/span><\/em>The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has deployed two of its helicopters in Australia
\nto support relief efforts for <\/em><\/span><\/span>the ongoing deadly floods in the country.<\/span><\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

That’s right, Australia a member of the all powerful AUKUS allegiance is getting aid from a country 728.6 km\u00b2 in area.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Biden and Johnson aren’t exactly sharp thinking military strategists either. This tripartite of tragics depend on advisors<\/a><\/span> mostly fed by vested interest lobbyists<\/span><\/a> and RW think tanks<\/a><\/span> sponsored by corporations and oligarchs<\/a><\/span>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

AUKUS, comprises three countries ideologically linked by Murdoch, defence, trade agreements and a shared history of colonial adventurism. Australia being the minor (and much put upon) partner.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

But one other individual could have stopped it and had to make the biggest political adjustment of any of them to support it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anthony Albanese, Labor Party leader, was uniquely positioned to destroy, or to enable, the nuclear-powered subs initiative. He led Labor to support nuclear-powered subs, a genuinely historic change.<\/span><\/p>\n

In his most wide-ranging interview on foreign affairs and national security, Albanese, fresh from a fortnight\u2019s scolding from the government for allegedly being soft on China, explains to Inquirer: \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s much understood that a precondition of American support was that there be bipartisan support for it in Australia. Without Labor\u2019s support, it wouldn\u2019t have happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ah yes, that famous American respect for the Australian Labor party<\/a><\/span> and democratic structures.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Does”Albo” really believe positioning himself as the person who could have stopped this nuclear submarine madness – but didn’t – is a politically astute move? <\/span><\/p>\n

Powerful lobby forces were behind the AUKUS plan both here and in the USA\/UK. <\/span><\/span>Australia’s role (never mind Morrison’s) would have been subservient. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The idea that “Albo” would (or even could) stand up for Australian sovereignty and risk having his turn in power taken away from him is laughable. Labor’s Right and Murdoch would have ended him in a heartbeat.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In the past the idea of nuclear-powered submarines was widely discussed in Liberal and Nationals circles. But one obstacle always was the idea that Labor would oppose it. Modern strategic threats, and Albanese\u2019s leadership of Labor, changed that.<\/span><\/p>\n

Present at that critical first briefing were Albanese, his deputy Richard Marles, opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong and defence shadow Brendan O\u2019Connor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was convinced by our capacity needs, that these could be filled by nuclear propulsion rather than by conventional subs. I was convinced it was necessary.
\n<\/span>
\nIt was the right call based on our changing strategic needs,\u201d Albanese says.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a number of preconditions: that it not breach the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and that it not lead to a domestic nuclear industry<\/a>. We came to a preliminary view quickly and called a shadow cabinet meeting for very early the next morning. Then we called a full caucus meeting and by 11.30 we had gone through our processes.<\/span><\/p>\n

To effect that historic change, Albanese moved fast but followed proper Labor Party process: \u201cWe were briefed on the Wednesday by the (security) agencies and the Defence Department. As an example of our good faith on national security issues, I didn\u2019t speak to any journalist about it but the Prime Minister\u2019s office briefed out the fact of our meeting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Labor’s nuclear submarine brain trust at work, “capacity needs”, “changing strategic needs” – impressive stuff.<\/span><\/p>\n

Albanese is aware of the real forces behind the French submarine fiasco and the move to nuclear (The French subs were<\/em> originally nuclear, modified to diesel under Australian contractual direction) but still he goes along with this bullshit transition from costly international blunder to triumphant coalition of freedom fighters, as though it was a natural and sane progression in Australia defence strategy.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Hardly a surprise though, because as an opposition leader “Albo” has essentially papered over the widespread corruption of the LNP while his party votes with them for any repressive laws and policies counter to basic Labor values the Liberals can dream up.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Labor party is run by its Right Wing (and RW unions such as the AWU<\/span><\/a>) which depend on the pro-nuclear power Minerals Council of Australia<\/a><\/span> and other lobby groups for donations (and jobs after politics<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>) who clearly have a goal of using these submarines to introduce a domestic nuclear industry.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The presence of ‘nuclear anything’ in Australia has been a highly contentious issue amongst Labor members for decades. The “proper Labor Party process” obviously didn’t involve any grassroots participation from Labor members. Much like AWU leader Daniel Walton spruiking nuclear power without consulting his members first. The replies to his piece in the AFR on Face Book are overwhelmingly unsupportive<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/span>\"\"<\/a>Associated AFR article<\/em><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Safety and sovereignty dictate that<\/span> we will need to develop nuclear facilities in Australia <\/a><\/span><\/em>to maintain and support these submarines<\/em> –<\/span> Malcolm Turnbull<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Matt <\/span>Canavan<\/span> announces <\/span>nuclear<\/span><\/span><\/em> waste dump location in South Australia<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat was an example of our determination to look after the country, to protect our national security and to not play politics with it.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
 <\/td>\n\n

Albanese, naturally for an opposition leader, has criticisms of the government on defence and national security policy, but not on the basic structures of that policy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>He is resentful, in a generally good-natured way, about the government claiming he\u2019s soft on China: \u201cThis government seems to really not like it when you agree with them. It looks for distinctions when they\u2019re not there. On national security we\u2019ve been very consistent for a long time.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

That part of the interview where you need to inject some Opposition-like tone for credibility?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut the government impugned the motives of the entire Labor Party. That says more about the desperation of the Prime Minister and government than about our positions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

So let\u2019s go through national security issues one by one.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

What does he think about the Russian invasion of Ukraine? Moscow\u2019s actions, he says, show \u201ccontempt for the rule of law, for international law, for the sovereignty of Ukraine\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A man willing to sell out his country’s sovereignty to gain power, in partnership with America the most ruthless breaker of International law<\/a><\/span> on the planet says what?<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/a><\/span>
\nAmerica’s post 9\/11 revenge toll<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

And the de facto alignment of Russia and China? \u201cThe tragedy is that there was great hope when communism fell that we would see the rise of democracy in Russia, and what we\u2019ve seen is the development of an authoritarian regime which centres power on one man and his cronies. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

“Mr Democracy” seems to believe that his having supreme power over whether this country goes to war or not is entirely appropriate.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Federal Labor Leader Anthony Albanese, failed to provide any response despite our multiple attempts to contact him regarding the inquiry.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Shadow Minister for Defence Brendan O\u2019Connor\u2019s office told Michael West Media<\/em> he did not believe parliament should be consulted before Australian troops are sent into armed conflict abroad. Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, gave the same response as Brendan O\u2019Connor, but added that an Albanese Labor government was committed to holding an inquiry into the issue. Source<\/span><\/a><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nThe joint statement by China and Russia, which was quite belligerent, which was done during the Olympics, that is a great concern.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The alignment of autocracies, Albanese says, is a challenge to democracies and \u201cthat is one of the reasons that democratic countries need to stand together\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Whereas the American alliance, NATO, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue and AUKUS, shouldn’t be seen as threats by Russia and China? It’s not as though Russia<\/span><\/a> and China<\/a><\/span> have had a mutually respectful history with European and American powers<\/span>. Then there’s the Cold war which some academics argue was over after the Berlin wall fell in 1989. Some (myself included) don’t. <\/span><\/p>\n

It’s as though white colonial powers see everything in terms of global conquest and project this onto their rivals.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

So why, in Albanese\u2019s view, does Australia have such problems with Beijing? \u201cChina has changed under Xi Jinping. It is more forward leaning, it is more aggressive. An example of that is the quite extraordinary list of 14 policy changes they expected of Australia. For that to be forwarded was a very provocative move against a democratic state. It was quite rightly rejected by the government and the opposition.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Albanese is referring to a list of 14 preposterous demands<\/a><\/span> of the Morrison government made by the Chinese embassy in Canberra.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Lot of assuming going on here. I believe the Americans have caused Australia far more problems than China to date. An expensive and pointless war in Afghanistan is a recent example, as is the trade treachery of our great ally<\/span><\/a> from the fallout when Morrison decided to attack China over Covid’s origins to please Trump.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

US, allies ‘biggest beneficiaries’ of Australia’s $17b China trade row, report finds<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Australia’s closest security allies, led by the United States, have been the biggest beneficiaries of Beijing’s campaign of economic coercion against Canberra, a report has found.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Institute director James Laurenceson said the data showed Australia’s pursuit of closer security ties with the US and other western democracies was not stopping its allies from<\/span> capitalising on its trade predicament<\/a>.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Also seem to remember China being economically empowered<\/a><\/span> by these same Capitalist powers looking for some cheap labour to the detriment of their own people. Criticising Xi Jinping, leader of our biggest trading partner, when the USA win hands down for “provocative moves against (this) democratic state”<\/a><\/span> is not the act of a statesman looking after Australia’s interests. <\/span><\/p>\n

It’s the USA not China engaged in a perpetual war.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It’s the USA not China covering the globe with 800 military bases.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>\n<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s the USA not China responsible for 6 million deaths<\/a><\/span> in illegal wars.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It’s the USA not China that have cost us 1000s of billions in pointless foreign wars since WW2.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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