Greens’ war on war begins but Australia’s closest allies need help

Richard Di Natale on the government’s new arms export strategy. Melbourne, yesterday:

The Australian government has to stop acting like warlords.

The same strategy is due to produce lots of jobs. Malcolm Turnbull in Rydalmere, yesterday:

We have a very substantial investment in defence capability ... That is going to result in, that is resulting in, the creation of thousands of jobs.

Greens senator Nick McKim on Sky News, yesterday:

(What) the Prime Minister and his colleagues have effectively said is they want Australia to become a mass exporter of violence ...

It’s a tough world. Turnbull, yesterday:

You may not feel that they will be firing a shot in anger today or in the foreseeable future, but things can change.

Some of our closest allies are at risk.

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, speaking in Tokyo, January 4:

It is not an exaggeration to say that the security environment surrounding Japan is at its severest since World War II ... North Korea is trampling the strong desire of Japan ... for peaceful resolutions.

But let’s live in the Greens’ peacenik fantasy. Di Natale continues:

That’s what a smart, clever country does. It acknowledges that the only pathway forward that is going to allow us to live on this earth ... is to do it peacefully

A “smart, clever country” defends itself and its allies. Turnbull, continued:

Every nation, responsible nation, including our own, sets out to have the capabilities to defend itself.

Billionaire Elon Musk has a new product to help defend yourself. Gizmodo Australia, yesterday:

His Boring Company ... has released a flamethrower for some reason ...

Musk promises a super deal on the flamethrowers. Twitter, yesterday:

Works against hordes of the undead or your money back.

Talking of deals, how long till South Australians get their money back on that big battery? Musk on Twitter, March 10 last year:

Tesla will get the system installed and working 100 days from contract signature or it is free.

In other news, The Sydney Morning Herald applauds Roger Federer on his Australian Open win. The SMH’s Facebook page, Sunday night:

It’s his 20th grand slam — the first person ever to win 20 ...

“First person”? Serena Williams speaks after beating her sister, Venus, at last year’s Australian Open, January 28 last year:

There’s no way I would be at 23 (Grand Slam titles) without her.

And Steffi Graf’s 22 Grand Slams? Graf on CNN, August 18, 2016:

Reporter: How would you feel if Serena breaks your record?

Graf: I’m happy for her.

Then there’s our own Margaret Court. The tennis legend speaks to the Herald Sun, January 29 last year:

That one (her 24 Grand Slams record) could be broken, but that 64 (overall major titles) wouldn’t be.

Maybe the ladies called Fairfax up about the incorrect post ... The Sydney Morning Herald’s amended Facebook page, a few hours later:

... the first man ever to win 20 ...