Australia politics live updates: Labor pledges to boost Aukus, former ADF chief calls for ‘red line on climate security’,

Former ADF chief calls for ‘red line on climate security’

Daniel Hurst

Australia must “draw a red line on climate security” amid the fallout from a security deal between China and Solomon Islands, according to a former chief of the Australian defence force.

Retired Admiral Chris Barrie, who is also an executive member of the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group, called for new commitments to the Green Climate Fund and mitigation actions consistent with the Pacific’s focus on warming of less than 1.5C.

In a statement issued days after Scott Morrison said the US and Australia had the same red lines when it came to opposing a Chinese military on Solomon Islands, Barrie said:

The government needs to draw a red line on climate security, instead of specifically targeting the Solomon Islands …

The key to Australia’s successful re-engagement in the Pacific is a Pacific Climate and Security Initiative that would give priority to the Pacific’s needs.

Barrie pointed to the 2018 Boe Declaration, which states that “climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific”. He added:

All Pacific island leaders say Australia is not taking their concerns seriously enough. Many are concerned that the government is prioritising the expansion of Australia’s coal and gas industries at the expense of the Pacific’s future, as the islands face fossil-fuel driven sea-level rise and extreme weather events like more intense cyclones.

They are quite right, but Australia’s leaders must recognise that we are equally exposed to the climate threat. By holding on to this obsession with fossil fuels we are destroying our own future as well as theirs.

Barrie’s statement is silent on particular political parties’ campaign pledges. But Labor on Tuesday promised to “listen and act on Pacific island warnings of the existential threat of climate change”, as part of its plan to restore Australia’s influence in the region.

Happy Thursday. Another campaign week is almost down – and we’re still talking defence and climate.

Labor wants to show it can be strong when it comes to defence as well, pledging to boost the Aukus agreement. And presumably keep all allies happy.

Meanwhile, as the Coalition tries to show that it’s united on climate (while attempting to create a new “Labor has a carbon tax” scare campaign) a former ADF chief wants a “red line on climate security” for the Pacific, mixing both defence and climate together. Climate is a major security issue for the Pacific nations, no matter how much Ray Hadley wishes otherwise.

And of course the cost of living issue continues to rear its head, with the Morrison government facing the prospect of the reserve bank raising interest rates in the middle of its re-election campaign. The last time that happened was 2007, I believe. The mood for change was sweeping the nation then, and you can’t say that now. But it’s not something the government wants to happen.

But the bank is independent. And it has a responsibility to maintain its credibility. Internationally, central banks are raising rates. In Australia it’s just about when it happens.

We’ll bring you all the news as it happens. Thursdays are traditionally the worst day of the week (it’s science) so make sure you have a double coffee this morning.

Ready?

Labor to boost Aukus with $1.2bn defence research agency

Daniel Hurst

Labor will continue its attempt to outflank the Coalition on national security by pledging to create a new strategic research agency to investigate breakthrough technologies.

The opposition says the plan, to be announced today, will reinforce the Aukus partnership with the US and the UK because the new body will “boost Australia’s involvement in technology sharing and research and development”.

A quick reminder that Aukus is about more than submarines: Australia, the US and the UK are also planning to deepen their work on cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, additional undersea capabilities and hypersonic weapons.

Labor’s proposed new body – to be called the Advanced Strategic Research Agency (ASRA) – is expected to have $1.2bn in funding over 10 years and will be housed within the defence portfolio. Labor’s plan includes transitioning the existing Defence Innovation Hub into the independent agency over time, with a focus on Aukus priorities.

The agency would work closely with its counterparts, the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the newly created UK Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA).

In a statement issued in advance of the announcement, the Labor leader, Anthony Albanese, said the agency would be modelled on DARPA in the US and would become “a premier avenue for linking Australian industry (including SMEs) and universities with our Aukus partners”.

Albanese said in a joint statement with the shadow defence minister, Brendan O’Connor, and the shadow defence industry minister, Matt Keogh:

After almost a decade of neglect under the current Liberal government, there has been a lack of strategic defence and national security-focused sovereign research, funding and projects. This is leaving Australia vulnerable to strategic technological surprises.

Here is the fine print about what it would actually do:

ASRA would ensure cutting-edge research from public sources, such as universities and industry, and classified research from industry and other government agencies (such as CSIRO), are supported and co-ordinated.

ASRA will also aim to leverage private investment into its research priorities. It will ensure the development of sovereign research capabilities for Australia, especially in getting prototypes to delivered technology.

The Labor statement points to previous achievements of DARPA in the US:

DARPA’s recent work includes unmanned anti-submarine vessels, sixth generation jet fighter technologies, atmospheric water extraction, reusable robotic spacecraft, hypersonics and media forensics (identifying deepfakes). Famous commercialised projects from DARPA include the internet, the computer mouse, GPS, and Siri.