Latest news with #RoyalAustralianNavy
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Wellington Celebrates Sister City Canberra
Wellington will be buzzing with activity this week as Pōneke celebrates its sister city partnership with Canberra. Australian Capital Territory Chief Minister Andrew Barr will be leading a delegation to Wellington, to celebrate the partnership and cooperation between the two capital cities. 'This week's celebration reflects the strength and significance of our city's relationship with Canberra, further deepening the bonds of friendship and collaboration between us,' says Mayor Tory Whanau. 'Our partnership is a source of great pride and a key element in Wellington's international engagements, fostering a continued exchange of ideas, culture, and goodwill.' Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the visit was an opportunity to reaffirm the deep and growing ties between Canberra and Wellington. 'Our sister city relationship with Wellington is one of genuine friendship and mutual respect. It's built on a shared commitment to sustainability, creativity, and inclusive growth,' says Mr Barr. 'From climate action and urban planning to arts and innovation, our two capital cities face many of the same challenges and opportunities. This visit allows us to share knowledge, deepen collaboration, and celebrate what we've already achieved together. 'It's also a chance to showcase the very best of Canberra – from our defence ties and creative industries to our thriving business and education sectors.' HMAS Canberra, the Royal Australian Navy's flagship, will take part in a series of events that includes a captivating naval parade through the city, Ship's company volunteering at a soup kitchen and in community clean-ups, and a rugby match against their New Zealand counterparts. Apart from these engagements, an agreement will be signed to foster closer cooperation between capital cities in the Pacific region, and a business mission from Canberra will meet with their New Zealand counterparts. The programme of activities aiming to further strengthen ties between the two capital cities includes: 5-9 June: Visit by the amphibious assault ship HMAS Canberra. 5 June: A business delegation, including representatives from the Canberra Chamber of Commerce and the Canberra Convention Bureau (responsible for attracting business events to the Canberra region), will attend an economic briefing organised by the Wellington City Council. 6 June: Signing of a tripartite agreement on regional cooperation between Wellington, Canberra, and the Fijian capital, Suva. 6 June: Ship's company from HMAS Canberra will volunteer at the Compassion Soup Kitchen from 10am to 12:30pm and participate in clean-ups from 12:30pm to 3:30pm at the Wellington Botanic Garden, Otari-Wilton's Bush, Wellington Zoo, Wellington Harbour (near the tugboat), and Owhiro Bay. 6 June, 9:00am-12:00pm: AFL match between the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy at Rugby League Park, Newtown. 7 June, 10:00am-10:30am: Freedom of Entry parade through Wellington by around 250 Ship's company of HMAS Canberra. The parade begins at Queens Wharf Square, proceeds onto Jervois Quay, then turns onto Brandon Street. It continues down Lambton Quay, turning right and proceeding along Lambton Quay towards Parliament. Just before Bowen Street, the parade will be 'challenged' by the Wellington District Commander of the New Zealand Police (a symbolic exchange where they will ask for identification and confirmation of permission, which will be provided via the Mayor's charter). Following this, the parade will continue, with participants saluting VIPs on the dais at the Cenotaph. The route then continues along Bunny Street and Thorndon Quay, concluding near Pipitea Marae. 7 June, 1:30pm-3:00pm: Royal Australian Navy band concert at Pukeahu National War Memorial. Under the sister city partnership agreement signed in 2016, Wellington and Canberra committed to promote business collaboration, tourism, educational and cultural exchanges, and the sharing of research and knowledge. Regular visits and the signing of agreements between their business chambers, screen industry organisations, zoos, conservation eco-sanctuaries, indigenous artist exchange programmes, and botanic gardens have enhanced city-to-city relations since then.
Asia Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Asia Times
Australia's trade would be fatally exposed in a US-China war
If war breaks out between the United States and China someday, one of the major concerns for Australia is the impact on its trade. Our trade routes are long and exposed. Every year, thousands of merchant ships — bulk carriers, tankers, container ships and other types — visit Australian ports to deliver imported goods and pick up exports for delivery at distant ports. When a cargo ship of petroleum leaves the Persian Gulf for refining in East Asia, then sails for Australia, the total trip is approximately 20,000 kilometers. The ship passes through lonely stretches of sea and numerous choke points, such as the Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia, often within range of missiles and other weapons. Such attacks could come from Chinese ships in the event of a war, or as we've seen in the Middle East with the Houthi rebels, they could also come from militants seeking to disrupt global shipping. Australia's current defense strategy cites the security of our 'sea lines of communication and maritime trade' as a priority. The aim is to prevent an adversary from cutting off critical supplies to our continent in a war. To achieve this, the government has embarked on the lengthy process of expanding the Royal Australian Navy surface and sub-surface fleet, including the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines. As I explain in my forthcoming book, The Big Fix: Rebuilding Australia's National Security, the problem with the government's maritime plan is that it is built on a deeply flawed foundation and cannot deliver what it promises. Defense documents insist on a need for the Australian Defense Force to be able to project naval power far from Australia's shores in order to protect the nation's trade. The presence of these warships would ostensibly deter attacks on our vital shipping. However, those who developed the maritime plan do not appear to have considered whether the merchant ships delivering this trade would continue to sail to Australia in the event of a war — presumably with China. The reality is that Australia's A$1.2 trillion (US$778 billion) of exports and imports are carried in ships owned by non-Australian companies, flying foreign flags and largely crewed by citizens of other countries. Decisions about whether to continue sailing to Australia during a conflict would be made in overseas boardrooms and capitals. The Australian government has no leverage to force the owners of these ships to continue to service our continent. Australia's national interests may well not be the paramount concern. Nor does the Australian government have the option to turn to Australian-flagged vessels. Australia's shipping list contains only a handful of domestically owned and flagged cargo ships available in case of war. In fact, the biggest vessel (by length) that the government could take into service is the Spirit of Tasmania IV ferry. If all goes according to schedule, at some point in the 2040s, Australia will have at most 26 surface warships and perhaps eight nuclear-powered submarines, the navy hopes to acquire through the AUKUS deal. Australia is expected to acquire three Virginia-class submarines from the US under the AUKUS deal. Photo: Colin Murty / AAP via The Conversation Due to training and maintenance requirements, the total number of vessels available at any one time would be more on the order of ten. In other words, the government's future maritime plan, costing hundreds of billions of dollars, may result in just ten available ships at any given time to protect the nation's trade over thousands of kilometers. Fortunately, Australia has other options for safeguarding its trade that don't necessitate the building of warships. Our first investment in security should be diplomatic. The government should prioritise its investment in diplomacy across the region to promote security, including trade security. Regional countries are best placed to secure the waterways around Australia, particularly from the most likely future threat: Houthi-like militants. The Australian government should also modernize its shipping regulations and include in the budget provisions for war-risk insurance. Such insurance could compensate owners for the potential loss of ships and cargoes as an inducement for them to sail to and from Australia during war. The government must also encourage greater investment in our national resilience. Currently, the biggest risk during a conflict is an interruption to the nation's liquid fuel supply. We must greatly expand our onshore reserves of fossil fuels in the short term, while initiating a nation-building project to electrify the economy in the long term. Electrification would eliminate a considerable vulnerability to national security. Additionally, the government should identify and subsidize vital industries, such as fertilizers and certain medicines, which are essential to the continued functioning of our society in the event of a war. This would reduce our reliance on imports of critical materials. Lastly, Australian industries, with the government's assistance, should further diversify their trading partners to reduce over-dependence on one or two main destinations. Trade is undoubtedly important to Australia and the government is correct to protect it. But it is also true that not all security problems are best answered by the military. This is particularly important since the size of our planned fleet is obviously insufficient for the enormous task it will face. Either Australia invests in impossibly large numbers of warships or it takes a different path. The art of war requires a balance between the desired ends and the means to achieve them. This simple statement underpins the formation of all good strategy, which a state ignores at its peril. Unfortunately, in the case of the nation's maritime plan, the ends and means are seriously out of whack. Instead of setting itself up for failure, the government needs to put aside its ineffectual maritime plan and choose the means that do align with the ends. Only then will it be possible to protect Australia's trade. Albert Palazzo is adjunct professor in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at UNSW Canberra, UNSW Sydney This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Associated Press
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
From the Navy to Nature: Australian Veteran Transforms Trauma into Poetry in ‘Feathers and Flame'
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY, May 20, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month, Australian veteran and debut poet Kathryn Carlisle unveils 'Feathers and Flame: Poetry of Australian Landscapes and Personal Transformation' (ISBN: 978-0228811718), a moving new collection that explores emotional healing through the lens of wildlife, wilderness, and personal growth. After nearly 39 years of service in the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force, Carlisle turned to poetry as a form of creative recovery. Her words draw strength from the quiet rhythms of the natural world, offering insight into the unseen struggles many veterans face and the hope found in reconnecting with nature. 'Watching birds interact, walking bush trails, being still in nature. These simple moments brought me home to myself,' says Carlisle. 'Through writing, I learned to breathe again.' Each poem in 'Feathers and Flame' offers a moment of stillness. A breath of wild air. From desert plains to coastal skies, Carlisle's reflections highlight the quiet power of presence, the wisdom of the natural world, and the journey from sorrow to self-discovery. The book was born from Carlisle's healing process, including her participation in the Australian Defence Force's ARRTS Program, which supports veterans' recovery through art, writing, and music. Her military background lends her work emotional depth, while her lifelong love of the Australian landscape roots the collection in authenticity and awe. Available now via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indigo, and other major booksellers. ABOUT THE AUTHOR KATHRYN CARLISLE is a poet, veteran, and nature lover based in the ACT. Having lived in multiple states across Australia during her childhood—sometimes in a double-decker bus or caravan—she developed a deep connection to the land early on. Today, she finds inspiration in the Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve, where the landscape continues to guide her healing and creativity. BOOK DETAILS Title: 'Feathers and Flame: Poetry of Australian Landscapes and Personal Transformation' Author: Kathryn Carlisle Genre: Poetry / Memoir / Nature & Mental Health Publisher: Tellwell Talent ( ) Formats: Paperback, Hardcover, eBook Paperback ISBN: 9780228811718 Hardcover ISBN: 9780228811725 eBook ISBN: 9780228816874 NEWS SOURCE: Author Kathryn Carlisle Keywords: Books and Publishing, Mental Health Awareness Month, Feathers and Flame by poet Kathryn Carlisle, Memoir, mental health, Tellwell Publishing, ISBN 9780228811718, AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Author Kathryn Carlisle) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P126331 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Australia's big move on North Korea
Australia has deployed a warship on a sanctions enforcement mission against North Korea. HMAS Sydney will patrol areas where the hermit state is suspected of illegal trading in violation of UN sanctions aimed at stopping it from acquiring nuclear weapons. 'Operation Argos supports the international community's goal of the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of North Korea,' Vice Admiral Justin Jones said in a statement. 'Australia also deploys maritime patrol aircraft to enforce Operation Argos, with a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon having deployed to Japan in April. 'Enforcing UNSC sanctions against North Korea is consistent with Australia's commitment to a rules-based global order.' It is the second time the HMAS Sydney – a Hobart-class guided missile destroyer – has taken part in Operation Argos, having supported sanctions enforcement efforts in September 2024 also. North Korea regularly tests intercontinental ballistic missiles, which are the primary delivery system for nuclear warheads. It has also sent more than 10,000 troops to Russia to aid the Kremlin's war efforts in Ukraine. North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong-un has said involving his country, which perpetually faces severe food shortages, was 'just' and 'falls within the sovereign rights of our republic'. Although, the US State Department said North Korea's participation in the conflict violated sanctions. Closer to home, North Korea has faced accusations of flooding the Indo-Pacific with illicit drugs and counterfeit cash as well as trafficking animals and humans.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
China slams Aus over military exercises
China has criticised Australia for participating in joint military exercises with the United States and the Philippines in the South China Sea. Last week, The Royal Australian Navy's destroyer HMAS Sydney participated in a guided missile frigate with the Philippine navy, involving aircrafts from both the US and the Philippines. While China's coast guard continues to clash with vessels from the Philippines over the past 18 months, several countries, including Australia have joined military exercises with the Philippines in the waters. However, China has accused Australia, the United States and the Philippines of 'creating trouble.' China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said the US was using the Philippines as a 'pawn' against China, and accusing Manila of 'flexing' military muscles which will 'only backfire'. 'The US and other countries outside the region have patched up small groupings in the South China Sea to stoke confrontation in the name of co-operation, flex military muscles in the name of freedom, and create trouble in the name of upholding order,' he told reporters in Beijing. 'They are the biggest source of risks undermining the peace and stability in the South China Sea.' While Australia hasn't responded to China's stance, the Department of Defence said the drills are a chance to enhance mutual understanding and interoperability between the countries' armed forces. 'Australia and our partners share a commitment to upholding the right to freedom of navigation and overflight, other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, and other maritime rights under international law, particularly in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,' it said. 'By training and operating together, forces can build upon shared tactics, techniques, and procedures to enhance interoperability and readiness to respond to shared security challenges. 'This is the second MCA involving the Australian Defence Force this year, following HMAS Hobart's participation in a multilateral MCA on 6 February with Japan, the Philippines and the United States.'
