Welcome to the column where you provide the content. News broke today of China’s plans for “New Daru City”, a $39bn city with a major seaport, industrial area and free-trade zone on Papua New Guinea’s south coast, just kilometres from Australian territory. Jerome saw the future:
“Papua and New Guinea have very large areas of sparsely populated land, great forests, huge mineral and ocean resources and much more. The CCP have devised a long-term strategy that will achieve by commercial and industrial settlement what previous empires achieved by conquest.
“Over time, the indigenous peoples of these regions will be minorities in what was once their country, and Chinese settlement will continue over the decades to come. A large and powerful merchant and military navy will ensure that the new settlements will be protected and supplied. There is no-one in our region with the will, the power, the money, the long term planning and organisation, plus an unparalleled success rate that could match the Chinese.
“And that includes us, especially us. Any promises given about the retention of sovereignty will be swept away and ignored by the CCP, possibly in the nicest possible way. Thirty nine or so billion will make the Alaska purchase or the Louisiana Purchase look second rate deals. It might take two hundred years, but that sure looks like the plan.”
Anothernick added:
“I’d give it 50 years or less but I still won’t be around — sorry for the kids who are worried about their gender and equality, BLM and all that while the real issue is Chinese hegemony!”
Cameron considered:
“The Indonesians in West Papua have shown what can and, predictably, what will happen. The Chinese will simply splash some cash around the PNG politicians to get whatever they want.”
Stephanie was scared:
“They want Australia, full stop the end.”
Comrade Ogilvy’s call to arms:
“Why wouldn’t they? An entire continent with a population smaller than their biggest cities and full of resources that we’re too dumb to exploit. It’s a no-brainer really.”
Robert reckoned:
“The surest and cheapest path to our own security is for us to invest in and provide aid to our Indo Pacific neighbours such as PNG, Indonesia and small Pacific nations to displace the Chinese influence. Robert Gottlibsen’s recent articles on our multitude of horrifically expensive failed and failing defence projects proves this.”
Malcolm’s ultimatum:
“The Port of Darwin must be returned to Australian ownership ASAP!”
Stuart surmised:
“Why is everyone fixated on Darwin and forgetting the potential of Townsville to be a major naval and air force base as it was during the Battle of the Coral Sea?”
David H did the math:
“Actually, when you think about, Darwin will now be a very convenient Chinese port to bring in the major vessels with the building materials for the City of Daru. And after Daru is up and running they can establish a very handy ferry service for the citizens of Daru City to visit and establish businesses in Darwin. Buy up the local Northern Territory tourism, restaurants, transport and construction. And then of course once they are well established they can run for local politics, being good local business people.”
Rebecca said:
“Anyone or any government of any civilised and especially Western country (which are the ones which CCP China targets primarily, it seems!) which does not take China’s end game plan seriously is completely foolish. And they are most definitely not for turning by any means or on any level. They might look or act diplomatic but that is the end of it. They have no respect as we see them demonstrate towards their own and other people’s; think: Taiwan, Hong Kong, Muslims and Christians in their own country.”
Andrew argued:
“Makes me wonder about the recent trade deal done by NZ and China. Could there have been a Belt and Road Initiative or BOT there? This is feeling like a pincer move by the CCP on Australia.’
Swinging_Voter said:
“The next decade is possibly going to be terrifying for Australia’s next generation. The Chinese have already put us on a short list of ‘hostile’ trading partners. We’ve been emboldened by our isolation from them. We’ve thumped our chest, and although morally right, have put a big target on us. A major ‘fishing facility already in train in PNG. The lure of rich fishing waters, oil and strategic access to Australia, Indonesia and Antarctica will be mouth watering for an expansionist China with a 50 year plan. It’s lucky we have not allowed the Chinese to gain control of ports, energy, agricultural and other strategic assets in Australia … Oh wait. Oh dear.”
Peter postulated:
“I guess we don’t get to choose the date for Invasion Day after all.”
Grim, said Graham:
“If anything like their developments in Africa, it will firstly build a port capable of supporting its Navel ships. It will also, for the most part employ Chinese nationals not the local population. It will create a bus and transport system that caters only for the transporting of the Chinese workers and finally will impose such a debt payment system that PNG will default on the payments and China will get control over the entire area. For the most part development will all but cease after they develop the port’s infrastructure.”
Joy added:
“Yes. That would be the plan, like in Sri Lanka’s Humbantota port. Inability to repay the debt, they take over. I hope PNG does not fall into the trap. Australia must help PNG to stop this project. PNG will not be able to repay the debt.”
Pamela’s insights:
“I taught on Daru Island in the 1970s at Daru High School. It is a mud and mangrove island. In the rainy season we had tank water and in the other season we had to use bore water which was alright for flushing toilets and not much else There were only septic tanks. The island has no elevation. You don’t need brakes on your car, simply use gears.
“It is a small island and unless the Chinese have an intention to extend the island by artificial means similar to what they have done elsewhere, they must have other designs for the island. TB is rife, malaria needs managing, locals simply live in poorly constructed shacks. It is the gateway to the most magnificent Torres Strait Islands. Chalmers, a missionary, has his remains buried there or at least a memorial to him.
“The people are wonderful, but have been totally neglected by the PNG government. The adjacent mainland has some interesting landscape including wild deer towards the West Irian border. and of course a huge mine up near Kiunga. I guess the ambition of the Chinese is to get a foothold on the mainland. Wonder what Indonesia thinks about that? I would think some Port Moresby politicians see some more personal benefit for them. Western District won’t benefit. Perhaps Daru and its environs will become another Chinese outpost with control of the Torres Strait as a key intention.”
Fishy, said Lyn:
“What are they going to process? Fish, fish & more fish. China needs to feed its massive population. Our oceans have the resources and China wants them, all of them.”
Stu H said:
“I have spent much time in PNG and have flown over Daru many times on my way to Tubabil in the north of Western Province. If you would ask me if I would build a city on an island that is barely a metre above sea level, receives over two metres of rain (2000 millimeters) of rain per year, suffers from endemic malaria and tuberculosis. An island that has no resources except the copper concentrate that comes down the Fly River from the OKTEDI mine. I would say no. It makes no sense. Unless you were really interested in Australia.”
Jon’s warning:
“The CCP want the Top End. They want Northern Australia for agriculture to feed their people. It’s vast, underpopulated and under-developed. Either we develop it properly, or it’ll be taken off us.”
–
Scott Morrison gave Liberal MP Craig Kelly the mother of all slap-downs after he got too cosy with infamous anti-vaxxer and Covid sceptic ‘Paleo’ Pete Evans then had the ‘Brawl in the Hall’ with Tanya Plibersek. Ian opined:
“Craig, I’m a normally strong supporter of yours, particularly your stance on the world’s greatest hoax: man-made global warming, but endorsing Pete Evans is kicking a massive own goal. Get out of that quick-sand as soon as you can!”
Adam averred:
“Craig Kelly has been fact checked and fact checked again by other news outlets looking to nail him for something, and time and time again they have been forced to admit, he is correct.
They are after him because he is a conservative voice who stands up for what he believes in, and he always has a source he bases his statements on.”
Mark. 1 muttered:
“The dreadful thing about all this, is Kelly’s information actually came from medical people, not just out the back of his hat. Morrison should actually listen to what he is saying.”
Lindsay lashed out:
“There are many eminent medicos at the worlds top medical establishments and universities who also disagree with the government’s approach to covid. For example, hydroxychloroquine, although derided by government experts, has multiple studies showing that used with zinc in the early stages of covid can reduce the symptoms.
“There are also many articles that have appeared in the Lancet and other prestigious journals showing that lockdowns have little effect on the progress of Covid. The worst effected states in the US like New Jersey, New York and Massachussetts also had the strictest lockdowns.
What’s so frustrating about this article is that it doesn’t give any examples of what Kelly is being chastised for, so it is impossible to form an opinion on whether he had valid beliefs.”
Paul posited:
“Kelly is not providing facts, he’s stirring by deliberately undermining the Government’s message. Whether he is simply a buffoon or doing it cynically to play to an idiot fringe audience is unclear to me.”
Bruce went deep:
“I am a cautious supporter of ScoMo and lifetime Liberal voter. However there are 4 elements which sit uncomfortably with me which indicate (to me) a propensity to shoot from the hip without aiming or even checking whether there is a round in the chamber;
1. The treatment of our ADF members and veterans under the Brereton inquiry. This smacks of woke posturing at the expense of our military and a denial of justice to those yet to be charged. It is similar to the campaign against George Pell in Victoria;
2. Christine Holgate affair. If the Postal Service is run by predominantly Liberal Party Board members, who gave her the authority to do what she did, Scomo is trying to make himself look tough by shoving her under the bus and she has not been treated fairly. (or legally)
3. Craig Kelly. Kelly articulates what many think about, i.e. climate change nonsense and now the potential misleading story around vaccines and the treatments apparently widespread in the world, which are not part of the big Pharma story. Scomo is compromised by his deals with them and therefore unable or unwilling to have Kelly’s information properly and objectively examined. I concede that Kelly did himself no favours by appearing with that anti-vax idiot, however, ScoMo is the leader and sometimes leaders have to act in the best interests of the people who elected them, looking past idiocy to ascertain the real truth. If Kelly is right, there is substantial good to be had in his information.
4. Submarines. The decision to go French was the result of vitriolic hatred of Abbott by Turnbull and determination to overturn every decision made by Abbott. Recent events would appear to indicate that this decision, like every other dud decision made by Turnbull is a stinker. Scomo needs to pull the pin on this deal asap. If Chairman Dan can pay $1bn to escape from a contract, Scomo can do the same and cancel the sub contract.”
Fear and loathing from Winsome Losesome:
“Kelly is an antagonist and flat-earther. When the government is desperately trying to bring in a vaccine to help the nation get back to normal this clown is shooting off his mouth and making it more difficult for them. If people have a problem with the vaccine it’s their GPs they need to talk to — not an erstwhile furniture salesman who thinks he is on top of complex scientific arguments.”
Quoth John:
“Well he’s got bugger all of a majority and some very labile seats in Sydney and Melbourne’s elitist urban heartland (wokeland). If he tries to appeal to everyone, he’ll go the same way as Shorten and appeal to no one. Work out what your values are and stand by them.”
–
The inimitable Jacinta Nampijinpa Price bemoaned how the loudest voices pushing to change the date of Australia Day — or for a voice to parliament — don’t live in the bush, they live in the cities, along with the “progressive” media and universities indoctrinating the young with
politically correct ideological teachings “delivered by academics who’ve never lived in remote Indigenous communities yet who bombard parliamentary inquiries and grant application channels with recommendations that fail to even grasp Indigenous disadvantage.” Edi agreed:
“What Jacinta sagely points out time and again, is not just to do with Aboriginal disadvantage, it’s to do with governance generally. Aboriginal leadership doesn’t really want change, it is the status quo which maintains its relevance.
“Our political leaders don’t really want change, all they want is power, and care little about what means they employ to achieve it. Jacinta’s case is a classic example of the voice of wisdom needing to be drowned, lest it be heard. Shame on the system that is allowing that to happen. Solutions are there, giant egos are standing in their way.”
Greg’s wife lamented:
“The irony is Jacinta is speaking to the converted. The ignorant media won’t open the door to her.”
John approved:
“Brilliant analysis Jacinta. City protests and change the date activists do nothing to assist those in disadvantaged remote communities.”
Robert raged:
“I have always considered it’s the city people that make the noise, and some I have doubts about their true connection, and these city people get the scholarships and grants, when it should be going to their bush relatives.”
Rod remembered:
“We had a prime minister once who lived with remote indigenous people for a week each year. Perhaps the policy-makers and activists should spend a week each year living in remote indigenous communities and simply observing and listening. Back in their city offices they might reflect on how utterly unhelpful are their protests and PC policies.”
Lily liked:
“Certainly each and every one of the public servants who work for the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt, should get out of their Canberra offices and live in a remote indigenous community for a week. It wouldn’t hurt a lot of public servants to get out of their offices now and again, talk to the people on the ground and have a good look at the consequences, good and bad, of the policies they are administering.”
Suvane too:
“Every person who receives public funding for indigenous projects (whatever their nature) should be required to spend a minimum of two weeks — one in summer and one in winter in a remote indigenous area.”
Bruce was impressed:
“Astounding clarity and reason. This young lady would be the most important weapon in the fight to lift indigenous Australians out of the trap they are caught in.”
Peter was pleased:
“I’ve not read a better summation of the problem. It’s a tragedy that a lot of the so called indigenous activists and their feel good inner city supporters will either not read this article or will simply choose to ignore it. No, they prefer to bang on about ‘change the date’ or BLM protests, neither of which is at all relevant. It’s also tragedy that too many politicians and overpaid bureaucrats think that by allocating billions in funding they are doing a marvellous job. Put Price and Mundine in charge and sack the rest, get these two to put together a team who understand what are the real problems and keep State and Territory governments as far away from the funding as possible.”
Last word to Chris:
“At last someone telling it as it is. My wife and I spent 10 years as doctors in remote communities in the 90s, living with all the problems Jacinta is now, thankfully, making public. One of of the biggest stumbling blocks to any sort of progress for Aboriginal Australia is the fantasies in the minds of city dwellers — supported by a willing media — about what remote living is like. This leads to knee-jerk ‘solutions’ which have no hope of working because they attempt to solve a problem without knowing the context.”
–
Each Friday the cream of your views on the news rises and we honour the voices that made the debate great. To boost your chances of being featured, please be pertinent, pithy and preferably make a point. Solid arguments, original ideas, sparkling prose, rapier wit and rhetorical flourishes may count in your favour. Civility is essential. Comments may be edited for length.
AFP bungle puts PM in clear, but comms trip him up
Anthony Albanese can still decide to call an inquiry – indeed some are expecting it – into why he was not told straight away by security agencies about the alleged Dural caravan plot.
Having nothing to say on idea doesn’t cut the mustard, PM
Anthony Albanese’s refusal to talk about Trump’s Gaza plan begs the question as to what is the new criteria for prime ministerial comment.