This week in Australian foreign affairs: Wong condemns Israeli strikes on Qatar as a sovereignty violation amid ceasefire mediation efforts; Defence announces significant investments, including $1.7 billion Ghost Shark autonomous vehicle program, new facilities at Anglesea Barracks, and more.
On 9 September, Assistant Minister for Defence Peter Khalil unveiled the new McGee Building at Anglesea Barracks in Hobart, which will accommodate Defence’s customer service hotline. The $20.8 million facility offers contemporary facilities with flexible office spaces for approximately 50 Defence personnel. Assistant Minister Khalil emphasized the Government’s continued investment in Australia’s Defence estate and infrastructure, stating “we’re continuing to invest in Australia’s Defence estate and infrastructure so sites like Anglesea Barracks meet the operational and capability requirements we need now and in the future.” The McGee Building represents part of the Albanese Government’s broader commitment to upgrading Defence facilities across the nation.
On 10 September, Foreign Minister Penny Wong appeared on the Today Show to address the escalating Middle East conflict following Israeli strikes on senior Hamas leaders in Qatar. Minister Wong strongly condemned the action, stating it was “the wrong thing to do” as it violated Qatar’s sovereignty while the nation was actively mediating ceasefire negotiations and hostage release efforts. “Qatar has also been the country that has been so involved in the negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of hostages, which is what we all want,” Minister Wong emphasized. She noted that Qatar, as a US ally, had been working closely with the United States to broker peace. When questioned about the broader implications, Minister Wong highlighted the ongoing risk of regional escalation in the Middle East and reiterated Australia’s position that Hamas is a listed terrorist organisation, while maintaining that sovereignty violations imperil ceasefire efforts and risk further escalation.
On 10 September, the Albanese Government launched the Partying Safely Hub as part of efforts to protect young Australians travelling overseas. Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Matt Thistlethwaite announced the new online safety resource, which is hosted on the Smartraveller website. The Hub provides practical information for parents, universities and schools on key safety topics including alcohol safety, methanol poisoning, drink spiking, drug safety and travel insurance. The resource is designed to support conversations between parents, educators and young people about how to party safely while away from home and what to do if something goes wrong during overseas travel.
On 10 September, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy announced a landmark $1.7 billion investment to acquire a new fleet of Australian-designed and built extra-large autonomous undersea vehicles for the Royal Australian Navy. Defence has signed a contract with Anduril Australia for the delivery, maintenance and continued development of the Ghost Shark platform over the next five years. The cutting-edge autonomous vehicles are designed to conduct intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike operations stealthily and at long range, delivering a significant boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capabilities. Deputy Prime Minister Marles stated that “over the next five years and beyond the Ghost Shark will equip Navy with the intelligence, surveillance and strike capabilities it needs in an increasingly complex strategic environment.” This announcement builds on approximately $140 million the Australian Government has already invested in the Ghost Shark platform development since entering into a collaborative contract with Anduril in 2022.
Emily Mosley is the Projects and Publications Manager for the AIIA National Office.
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