Election 2025: Serious people are not buying ALP’s Loch Ness line on Russia’s Indonesia request
Anthony Albanese has been playing with diplomatic and strategic fire at a time he describes as the most precarious and dangerous since World War II.
For weeks, the Prime Minister has sought to downplay, deride, trivialise and politicise a fundamental threat to Australia’s national security as Russia has sought to take advantage of the United States’ retreat from being an international policeman.
Two weeks ago, the respected Jane’s defence journal reported that Russia had asked for a permanent site in Indonesia from which it could fly long-range Tupolev bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. It sought access to the Biak air base north of Papua – 1300km from Darwin and, probably more importantly, only 1800km from the US territory of Guam.
The Albanese government’s response was that it was Russian “propaganda”, the Russians talking themselves up, it wasn’t true, it was “fabricated”, and Coalition demands for a briefing may have been based on sightings of the “Loch Ness monster” because there was “no proposal”.
Albanese attacked Peter Dutton for a stupid mistake of suggesting the reports were based on a statement from the Indonesian President, questioned the veracity of the reports, said they weren’t true and said it was Russian “propaganda” and spreading the story would only help Russia in the region.
But, all along, Albanese knew – the government knew since March at least – that Russia was again seeking access for its long-range bombers to Indonesian airfields. and the Jane’s suggestion there was a request for a permanent base – which may still be true – and the Opposition Leader’s mistake was a godsend for obfuscation, domestic politicking and deception.
In an interview with The Australian last week, Albanese put the best front on the situation as he could after being asked what his advice was on whether the Russian request to Indonesia was “mischief-making”. The PM said it was the Russian ambassador talking himself up and the Indonesians had acted “quickly” to reject the request.
What made matters worse for the government after the Jane’s report was that it couldn’t be sure there was not indeed a second Russian request beyond the one of which it was aware, and so Defence Minister Richard Marles had to make a call to Jakarta to double check and was reassured Indonesia would not allow a Russian base on its soil.
This has been a debasement of national security and geopolitical relations for the sake of a cheap shot at a silly mistake from Dutton during an election campaign. Albanese could have reacted in so many other ways if he had been across his brief, confident of his position and more assertive towards Russia and China, a partnership in regional dominance.
There are serious people who are seriously concerned about this development – and that doesn’t mean they believe in the Loch Ness monster.
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