$700m Garden Island upgrade to keep the cruise ships out

Major naval battle brewing over the continued use of Garden Island.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and partner Clarke Gayford at the Commonwealth Games. Picture: Getty Images

Sydneysiders love a good boat and they’re about to see one hell of a sea battle in their own harbour. The Australian Navy doesn’t want any prissy cruise ships at their big scary base at Garden Island visiting often. And Strewth can now reveal how much they’re willing to pay to keep it that way: $700 million. That’s how much they will spend on updating the facilities at Garden Island, which could stop any plans for cruises to dock there. A 2012 report had suggested any upgrades to the base would not allow space for a $100m terminal for travelling cruise ships. A terminal that cruise companies really, really, really want. The Defence Department’s $700m admission comes after reports last week that our boys (and girls) on the high seas were to spend a mere $500m ($200m less, folks) to dig their frigates in at the island they’ve held in one way or another since 1788. “The naval base ... has an essential role in supporting the fleet now and into the future, ” a Defence Department spokesman said. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has promised a public consultation on Garden Island’s future later this year. We expect captains of both sides of this watery war will be nattering to her and Garden Island’s local MP Malcolm Turnbull.

Trust no one

The World Economic Forum put out their list of countries that trust politicians the most yesterday. Australia comes in at No 22. We have less faith in pollies than Singapore, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the US. Yes, the same US currently run by ex-reality television host Donald Trump.

Jacindamania

A certain prime minister got a lot of attention this weekend at the Commonwealth Games but it wasn’t Malcolm Turnbull. Jacinda Ardern and her partner Clarke Gayford were spotted at various events in all-black attire over the weekend. The Kiwi Prime Minister had breakfast with the entire New Zealand team on Saturday and took happy snaps with some of her nation’s sporting stars. “Such a pleasure to have breakfast with our Prime Minister ... I’m sure we will have another NZ gold medallist on its way. Thank you for all your support!” para-swimming gold-medallist Sophie Pascoe tweeted (the gold medallist on the way being Ardern’s forthcoming wee bairn). Ardern also met Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. It wasn’t all fun for the Prime Minister though — she had to watch the Silver Ferns get their arse handed to them by the Aussie Diamonds in the netball semi-finals.

Bridget and Bolt

Sports Minister Bridget McKenzie meets a lot of stars but even she must have been a bit excited at rubbing shoulders with Usain Bolt. Here’s the Nationals deputy leader with the fastest man on Earth at the England v Jamaica netball semi-final. Sources tell us Bolt seemed new to netball but was on the edge of the seat throughout the game. “Oh man, this is so intense,” the Olympian said to McKenzie and her posse. Jamaica’s favourite son was in town as a Games Ambassador (though we’re sure the minister didn’t join him on his widely reported jaunt to Sin City Nightclub during the week). McKenzie also met Prince Edward this weekend. Not as cool, is it?

Spike at 100

Today would have been Spike Milligan’s 100th birthday. The writer and comedian was the longest-living of the groundbreaking Goons (outlasting Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe) He titled his memoir Adolf Hitler: My Role in His Downfall. If that’s not genius, what is? His tombstone can be found at St Thomas’s Church in East Sussex. The Irish words “Dúirt mé leat go raibh mé breoite” are inscribed on it. The translation of that epitaph into English? “I told you I was ill.”