Your morning Briefing: SAS fighting funds get $3bn boost

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Hello readers. SAS fighting funds have received a $3bn boost, and Josh Frydenberg backs US values in the Pacific.

Australian Army soldiers from 2nd Commando Regiment conduct a clearance during counter-terrorism training at the Special Forces Training Facility at Holsworthy Barracks, New South Wales. *** Local Caption *** Australian Army soldiers from 2nd Commando Regiment conducted counter-terrorism training in Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart in May 2019. The training was part of the Mars series of exercises used by the 2nd Commando Regiment’s online hostage recovery/counter-terrorism company to build capacity in its role as Tactical Assault Group—East (TAG–E). TAG–E is the Australian Defence Force’s ‘in extremis’ online counter-terrorist force, which is designed to respond to a terrorist incident or to support state/territory police. The commandos successfully assaulted a Sydney ferry in Middle Harbour during one of the counter-terrorism training scenarios. Other training activities involved conducting clearances on high-rise buildings, sporting arenas, ships, aircraft and other types of transport. TAG–E is drawn from 2nd Commando Regiment and supplemented with Royal Australian Navy clearance divers and Special Operations Engineer Regiment combat engineers. 2nd Commando Regiment is part of the Australian Army’s Special Operations Command, which provides the Australian Government and Army with special forces capabilities in support of the national interest.

SAS fighting funds get $3bn boost

The ability of Australia’s special forces to deal with security threats in the Indo-Pacific will be boosted under a $3 billion, 20-year program.

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Treasurer backs US in dispute

Josh Frydenberg has ­endorsed the projection of American values in the Pacific, declaring “it’s our duty to be strong”, amid US-China tension.

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Cowra Dairy Farmer Ian Hindmarsh on his dairy farm in Cowra. The business has been affected by drought. 06/08/19 Picture Renee Nowytarger / The Australian

Dam tough and getting harder

Ian Hindmarsh says the past decade of dairy farming has been harder than anything he faced during his 189-game rugby league career.

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Rex Features Ltd. do not claim any Copyright or License of this image. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Shutterstock (4381006a) Prince Andrew and Virginia Roberts, aged 17 at Ghislaine Maxwell's townhouse in London, Britain on March 13 2001 Prince Andrew and Virginia Roberts - 2001 Virginia Roberts aged 17 at Ghislaine Maxwell's townhouse in London. The photo was developed on March 13, 2001 when she was 17. Miss Roberts has filed a legal case against Prince Andrew, Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein. Miss Roberts now 31, has filed a criminal lawsuit in Florida claiming that she had under-aged sex with Prince Andrew and Billionaire Jeffrey EpsteinPicture: US District Court Southern District of Florida

Aussie ‘sex slave’ feels cheated

A woman who accused Jeffrey Epstein of using her as a “sex slave” says she’s relieved he can’t hurt anyone else but angry he won’t face justice.

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New bidder for Liddell

Power baron Trevor St Baker has emerged as a second potential buyer of AGL Energy’s Liddell coal plant in NSW.

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WORCESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: Tim Paine of Australia talks to media after the final day of the Tour match between Worcester and Australia at Blackfinch New Road on August 09, 2019 in Worcester, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Edgbaston win changes Ashes narrative

Within the space of a single Test match the narrative of the entire Ashes has dramatically changed writes Peter Lalor. But Australia’s unexpected momentum can be lost as quickly as it was gained.

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Zanetti’s view

Paul Zanetti Leaders cartoon for 12-08-2019Version: Leaders (1280x720 - Aspect ratio preserved, Canvas added)COPYRIGHT: The Australian's artists each have different copyright agreements in place regarding re-use of their work in other publications.Please seek advice from the artists themselves or the Managing Editor of The Australian regarding re-use.