Next Federal Election

Supafreak wrote:

Yes this 1.5 billion could be better spent elsewhere, like giving a bigger subsidy to the mining & gas sectors . Or perhaps private schools . https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIaKtViySrx/?igsh=MTljd2w1OWZtdDJ5MQ==

Good idea?
With this massive tradie shortage driving up the labor costs of construction in a cooked housing market.
Bugger the less well off getting some sort of higher education in other sectors?
Don’t these rich fajitas realise this is also nation building. Skilled qualified people that help all sectors deliver for Australia.
1.5 billion it’s cost us?
How many billions are the top end screwing Australia out of?

No more free TAFE if the glans with glasses gets in. They really want to increase the divide between the haves and the have nots in Australia.
https://www.news.com.au/national/federal-election/peter-dutton-to-axe-fr...

sypkan wrote:

"There is probably a good argument that green hydrogen can replace gas (at least in time), but there must be a good reason for now why it currently isn't in the equation?"

green hydrogen is a pipedream...

just ask twiggy, who just spent several years and billions of dollars of shareholders money chasing it...

what did twiggy find?

you cannot break the laws of thermodynamics

laws exist in physics for a reason

and, twiggy is not god

Yeah i think it was a bit oversold for a while there, making us think it was like a straight swap for gas.

But has quite a few problems.

Mainly

-Needs lots of energy to produce.
-Not very energy dense.
-Hard to store, the atoms are so small it actually is absorbed by most metals making them brittle

Maybe will happen but in time

seeds wrote:

No more free TAFE if the glans with glasses gets in. They really want to increase the divide between the haves and the have nots in Australia.
https://www.news.com.au/national/federal-election/peter-dutton-to-axe-fr...

It’s something we learnt from the Joe Hockey/Matthias Cormann cigar smoking budget. They had the brilliant idea of getting big easy savings from cutting the education and health budgets. Unfortunately for them, the people seemed to think they are the two things we really don’t want you to cut.

I know Wally, the sure fire way to get elected is to dump money into these areas. Not these nasty entitled dopes.

Yep

Optimist wrote:

Albo shouldn’t be pledging troops to the Russian front should he.
Even spud isn’t that dumb…..or downright thoughtless….albo needs to stay out of euro wars…….or does he want another Vietnam.

I know you’re a Putin / Trump fanboy. Let’s just say, clearly leans ‘autocrat’.

But

Are you linking these two things?
Serious question.

One would hope our allies came to our need when required. That’s what allies do. You reckon we could go it alone?

“America has no permanent friends or enemies, only interests”.

Henry Kissinger.

An excerpt from an article written two years ago, by Alan Kohler no less.
Point is, the U.S. doesn't care who it shits on, never has.
Apart from maybe Israel these days.

"Investigative journalist Seymour Hersh’s story that the United States blew up the Nord Stream pipelines between Russia and Germany didn’t get much coverage in Australia, beyond the Biden administration’s strenuous denials.

It should have, and Henry Kissinger’s aphorism that “America has no permanent friends or enemies, only interests” should be pinned to Anthony Albanese’s wall.

We may never know for sure whether the US did destroy that pipeline, which hurt its allies in Europe as much as it hurt Russia, but it would confirm that America is pursuing the geopolitical contest with China and Russia with a ferocity that includes sabotaging the economies of its friends."

https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/finance/2023/04/20/america-china-currency...

Australian Review of Indonesian-Russian Rocket Base / Defence / Exercises
(NFE exclusive)

2006 Biak Island Russian Rocket Launch
Sept 2009 Indonesia / Russia Sign Preliminary Agreement / Formal Agreement June 2010
https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-indonesia-and-russia-to-build-space-launc...
Whatever deal was signed it openly allows Russia to continued access Air/Spaceport for Deliveries.

During this period Indonesia Defence Annex Joint Airbases for Military Exercises / Troop Access

2019 Indonesia finally approved Spaceport ( see 2017 Large Russian Aircraft "International access")
It seems Indonesia may allow Russia or any nation to Lease / land at International Space Port.

2014 Indonesia operate a Fleet of Russian Su-27 / Su-30 Jets
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia%E2%80%93Russia_relations

Dec 2017 Long Range in Flight Refuelling / Strictly accords with International Air Law
Indonesia invites 2x Russian Bombers to Frans Kaisiepo Airport, Biak Nth Coast of Indo Papua
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2017/12/06/indonesia-calls-russian-bombe...

14 April 2025 Exact same Russian Long Range Air Craft request for Manuhua / FK Twin Air Base.
Why would this repeat exercise of Russian access concern Oz / US 8 years on...
Sure...Sanctions but that ship has long sailed when Indo joined [BRICS] in Jan 2025
Yanks sat and watched news reports of Russia building Indo's Jets!
https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/air/indonesia-mulls-op...

Dec 2020 Biak Island Space port (Russians (vs) Musk (vs) Papuans)
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/10/anger-after-indonesia-offe...
..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Feb 2018 Indo Defence Minister ordered 11 Sukoi Su -35 Russian Fighter Jets = $1.1bn
Aug 2018 US Prez Trump tried to scupper the deal > giving Indo superior Air Power over ADF Jets
https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/indonesian-officials-report-u-...

Dec 2020 Russia / Indo Naval Exercise in Java Sea
Dec 2021 Russia joins Indo 7/10 ASEAN Navies in Aceh Province (Anti Aukus Exercise)
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/indonesian/russia-asean-naval-dri...

Nov 2022 Russia attend Indo G20
https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-g20-lavrov-putin/32123802.html

March 2024 Defense Minister Subianto becomes Indo Prez
July Indo Defence Minister / Prez salutes Mother Russia in Kremlin...Putiin is Stunned! Wow!
#1 Fan of Russia > Dreams to serve Putin...(A must see!)
[7:00] Defence Exercises + Also confirms his Jet deal is on in Print Media.

9th May 2024 Indo Ambassador awaits for (CAATSA) situation to be more accommodating
https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/a-new-phase-in-indonesia-s-lon...

2025-2037 Russia Maritime Indonesia (Recall Indo Leader begged Putin for this)
https://valdaiclub.com/a/highlights/indonesia-russia-2025-2037-maritime-...

Oct 2024 : Russia Confirms Us-35 Jets or (Less Tech > Mig 29s?)
Russian Ambassador insists deal will be revived and deal will come to fruition in future Political Climate.
https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2024/10/20/russia-is-awaiting-possible-del...

5th Nov US Political Climate changed...Russia pushed on with Indo Jet Export orders

Nov 2004 : ORRUDA Joint 5 day/vessels Russia / Indo Naval Drill in Java Sea (Confirm Jet deal)

7th Jan 2025 (See Map) Indonesia join [BRICS] 10 (vs) G7
Russia/China/SA/Brazil/ Egypt/Iran/Ethiopia/UAE/Indonesia + (Pending) Thailand / Malaysia / Vietnam
https://www.dw.com/en/what-will-change-with-indonesia-entering-brics/a-7...
https://frankmedia.ru/191987

23rd Jan : Russian Ambassador Visits Indo > Confirms Us-35s

25th Feb : Russia Security visits Indo on 5 day Asean tour to expand [BRICS]
https://apnews.com/article/indonesia-russia-sergei-shoigu-sjafrie-sjamso...

28th Feb 2025 ASEAN Australia Acknowledges Indo / Russia Jet deal is still very much Alive
Important to share this > That both leaders fully expect 11 Superior Russian Jets to arrive in 2025
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/russia-s-asean-embrace

30th March Komsomolsk >Russia confirms New batch of Su 35's Ready to fill Indo Export Orders
https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russian-air-force-receives-new...

Whole world can read Indo / Russian Jet Deal was constantly prioritized & now they are ready.
Alltogether! Indonesia will move fast to provide far reaching Hangers for 11x Russian Jets...well durr!

Indo Prez has been open to World Media & never once kept this secret from US / Oz Govt / Opposition.
Crew can read the whole timeline was always ever prioritized by Indo Prez.

This Oz report is correct in that both Indo / Russian Prez are very close....
Indo prez vowed to sign any Russian Defence Contract sight unseen!
https://www.politico.eu/article/australia-balks-as-russia-eyes-indonesia...

Indo / Russia / Biak Papua Rocket Launch Defence Base started under Howard Era
Russian Jet deals / Military AirForce / Naval Exercises played out during Turnbull > Scomo > Albo
Most likely that Russians will deliver Indo's 2018 ordered 11 Russian Jets here at Biak Airbase.
tbb means that Indo have excess of French Jets > New Russian Jets may be hidden at secret location.
Don't discount these Massive Russian Planes importing Jets one by one to this said Air Base
Indo have flown Russian Jets for decades...why only now does that surprise Oz + US defence.
Well Oz / US don't want Indo sporting shit hot Tariff Free [BRICS] Toys while Trump is scalding Putin!

Reply

Russia rejects US report...but there's more...it's not as simple as that!
https://in.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/russia-dimisses-indonesi...

Coz Russian Deputy PM / Indo Head is right now in Indonesia Hosting 75th Anniversary
Now it could be that the Yanks saw....
A Massive Russian Plane land at Defence Base to deliver a timely big shiny precious Gift...Us-35 Jet.

Russian's Invited Indo Prez to Meet with Putin!
So it's fair to assume some Gift was given + important Defence Ties / leases were signed.
https://en.tempo.co/read/1997084/highlights-of-prabowos-talks-with-russi...

* More Flight Routes (Ease of Transit!)
* Eurasia Free Trade
* EAEU
* IEF June 2025 St Petersburg Visit

http://government.ru/en/news/
https://tass.com/economy/1943967

We neutral non voters are Happy to share this Guide on yet another Invasion distraction
Better that the crew are armed with the facts...than have Oz media lead ya astray!
Don't ask why we step in to correct the record...just be assured that we declare 100% neutrality!
Crew can read tbb found no reason to pick sides & that in this case Indo are inviting Russia.
Unless Oz Govt are secreting New Reports of Russia Invading Indonesia...

Bonus

*Russian Spies under Southern Skies

2 March 2023 Russian Space Spy Marina Sologub forced to leave Oz

20 Dec 2024 Russian Spies face 15 years behind bars
* Russian Spies Igor & Kira Korolev did not appear in court or by Video Link!
* Spies have yet to enter pleas!
* Case was only briefly mentioned!
* Prosecutor asked for Adjournment until 7th March 2025.
* Korolev's barrister indicated the significant delay warranted a bail application > Magistrate agreed!
https://www.9news.com.au/national/accused-russian-spy-case-delayed-for-m...

31st Jan 2025 Calls for a Brizzo Spies Prisoner Swap with Ukraine Brizzo Freedom Fighter!
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-31/russian-group-pushes-for-jenkins-...

26th March 2025 (UK) Kill List : Hunted by Putin's Spies in Australia
(Not accessible in Australia) Wow! These Russians Spies are going undercover!
https://www.purevpn.com/au/blog/watch-kill-list-hunted-by-putins-spies-i...

1st April 2025 All Russian Kasperersky Lab secrets are forbidden
https://securityaffairs.com/174586/intelligence/australia-bans-kaspersky...

5th April Russian Ambassador since 2019 packs up & goes missing?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-14/russian-ambassador-alexey-pavlosk...

Are the greens still going for the inheritance tax?……or “ dynastic wealth transfer”.
It seems that they are once again and if so are the young people aware that a chunk of their inheritance from mum and dad will be going to the Govt to spend instead of them..
That tax is a shocker. Our family estates are our own business and should be left alone…..Australian govts already reap plenty …..they just need to spend it wisely.

Ah, Opti. You’re online.

You intimated that the recently reported Russian desire to base planes in Indonesia was somehow linked to the PM’s statement that Australia might contribute troops to an international peacekeeping force following a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Do you think the two issues are linked? If so, how?

Optimist wrote:

Are the greens still going for the inheritance tax?……or “ dynastic wealth transfer”.
It seems that they are once again and if so are the young people aware that a chunk of their inheritance from mum and dad will be going to the Govt to spend instead of them..
That tax is a shocker. Our family estates are our own business and should be left alone…..Australian govts already reap plenty …..they just need to spend it wisely.

They are just pure evil, to make up for the times i voted for them when young i put them last.

Whimpering about the greens is all the resident RWNJs have left such is their despair about three more years of Labor, hilarious lads!

^dont let the truth get in the way of a good story fellas. Right wing media trot the inheritance tax one out every election against some party.
They used it against Shorten and Labor back when.

etarip wrote:

Ah, Opti. You’re online.

You intimated that the recently reported Russian desire to base planes in Indonesia was somehow linked to the PM’s statement that Australia might contribute troops to an international peacekeeping force following a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Do you think the two issues are linked? If so, how?

Isn’t it because Putin has repeatedly said he won’t tolerate foreign troops in Ukraine? So he’s preparing to go to war with any country that does this, including Australia, and most likely with China's backing? Australia needs to stay the fuck out of Ukraine.

Yep…there are enough soldiers in Europe to play that useless game
But Albos probably signed up to the new world order….he sends people to WEF meetings ….EU. Meetings….etc…..wants to be a big buddy to Europe.
I wish everyone would stay home and look after the locals with all their borrowed cash.
PS on a lighter note the new seat of Bullwinkle is looking Rocky.

God, still having a whinge about if Australia MIGHT send Peacekeepers to Ukraine. First and foremost it is not going to happen unless there IS a ceasefire, so untwist ya nickers, have a bex and a lay down, and be happy to be alive right now...or not.

Westofthelake wrote:

God, still having a whinge about if Australia MIGHT send Peacekeepers to Ukraine. First and foremost it is not going to happen unless there IS a ceasefire, so untwist ya nickers, have a bex and a lay down, and be happy to be alive right now...or not.

True, and I would say that there will never be a cease fire agreement where Russia agrees to have foreign troops based anywhere near their border. They are in drivers seat so to speak.

It's a non starter.

From my understanding Russia are now increasing their attacks due to Trump govt still providing military and intelligence assistance.

Prick of a war, but yes Australia should stay well out of it.

gs-co: you reckon the Indons are interested in that?
Their territory being used to ‘go to war’ with a country that is contributing troops to a hypothetical ceasefire that has been internationally agreed - including by Russia.

Read your comment back to yourself and tell me it makes sense.

Russia is not interested in a ceasefire. Its aims are still maximalist, and being encouraged by US negotiators openness to things like territorial concessions by Ukraine.

The reason for this maximalist position is simply, Russia does not want to negotiate.

Recent reporting on Russian - Indonesian defence ties is just a blip that is being pumped to generate hand-wringing.

As far as I’m aware, Indonesia has not even hosted a ‘visit’ by Russian forces of late. The establishment of a Russian base just seems so far off from a conceptual or even practical standpoint.

Furthermore, I’m not sure what kind of advantage that such a facility would offer Russia. Without Indonesian protection (which implies concurrence to its use as a base for attacks on Australia and probably the US forces in the region) it would be entirely isolated, and more of a burden than an asset. For all the limitations on ADF capability, I’d be confident that this wouldn’t be something that would be particularly worrying for planners.

But, the point remains. Indonesia should freely engage as an independent and sovereign nation on the world stage. We should be concerned about an enduring Russian military presence in Indonesia, but be grounded about its likelihood, timeliness or its impact.
And we should also refrain from linking hypothetical scenario A with scenario B.

etarip wrote:

Russia is not interested in a ceasefire. Its aims are still maximalist, and being encouraged by US negotiators openness to things like territorial concessions by Ukraine.

The reason for this maximalist position is simply, Russia does not want to negotiate.

Recent reporting on Russian - Indonesian defence ties is just a blip that is being pumped to generate hand-wringing.

As far as I’m aware, Indonesia has not even hosted a ‘visit’ by Russian forces of late. The establishment of a Russian base just seems so far off from a conceptual or even practical standpoint.

Furthermore, I’m not sure what kind of advantage that such a facility would offer Russia. Without Indonesian protection (which implies concurrence to its use as a base for attacks on Australia and probably the US forces in the region) it would be entirely isolated, and more of a burden than an asset. For all the limitations on ADF capability, I’d be confident that this wouldn’t be something that would be particularly worrying for planners.

But, the point remains. Indonesia should freely engage as an independent and sovereign nation on the world stage. We should be concerned about an enduring Russian military presence in Indonesia, but be grounded about its likelihood, timeliness or its impact.
And we should also refrain from linking hypothetical scenario A with scenario B.

Dutton n Co trying to act the tough guy is really quite pathetic.

Agree with your points eta.

And if Indonesia did decide to have Russian military aircraft using their bases, I think they would give the same reply to us as we would to them if they said we couldn't have US military aircraft, nevermind bases on our soil.

Geez we will be in the shit if lnp win as far as international relations go.

^^ vocal about the possibility of UN sanctioned peacekeeping in Ukraine currently silent yet previously vocal about the west’s support for the war (genocide) against the Palestinians in Gaza.

As an aside I wonder whether @opti held the same position on Australia’s illegal involvement in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

@opti?

etarip wrote:

gs-co: you reckon the Indons are interested in that?
Their territory being used to ‘go to war’ with a country that is contributing troops to a hypothetical ceasefire that has been internationally agreed - including by Russia.

Read your comment back to yourself and tell me it makes sense.

a better question is...

do you think Indonesia would have a choice if push comes to shove?

prabowo very pro russia

and, the pushing and shoving would come from china anyway...

this whole russia base thing is quite pathetic really

apparently there was talk... a meeting...

in 2019!

if the US is drip feeding that info to create wedges they are really dumb

either way, both sides are now bullshitting to the extreme for domestic political purposes

it's dumb and reckless

there must be people that know the truth...

but domestic political points more important

sypkan wrote:

etarip wrote:

gs-co: you reckon the Indons are interested in that?
Their territory being used to ‘go to war’ with a country that is contributing troops to a hypothetical ceasefire that has been internationally agreed - including by Russia.

Read your comment back to yourself and tell me it makes sense.

a better question is...

do you think Indonesia would have a choice if push comes to shove?

prabowo very pro russia

and, the pushing and shoving would come from china anyway...

What makes everyone think that Russia and China are and will stay big friends?

also, the problem with the talk of 'peacekeepers', is it wasn't exclusively around an internationally 'agreed' ceasefire...

when albo blurted out his misplaced bravado bullshit they were talking about using an international 'coalition' to defend significant infrastructure in ukraine - when euros were contemplating the thought of having to go it alone...

ie. no ceasefire....

NATO > sign Ai Genocidal Deal with Palantir

https://www.cryptopolitan.com/nato-ai-military-system-deal-palantir/
Oz coalition of the willing makes a killing

Oz Future Fund has just begun
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-06/future-fund-weapons-manufacturers...
https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/PLTR/palantir-technologies/sto...

UK PM's Coalition of his willing Palantirs demand a 5 year US guarantee
Oz Ai Jewish Lobby Pollies are licking their lips! KILL KILL KILL

"What makes everyone think that Russia and China are and will stay big friends?"

chinese troops in ukraine perhaps?

(which may also be bullshit...)

bullshit or not... seems china still in the shadows...

anything to say they're not?

common interest...

enemy of my enemy...

all that stuff

flollo wrote:

sypkan wrote:

etarip wrote:

gs-co: you reckon the Indons are interested in that?
Their territory being used to ‘go to war’ with a country that is contributing troops to a hypothetical ceasefire that has been internationally agreed - including by Russia.

Read your comment back to yourself and tell me it makes sense.

a better question is...

do you think Indonesia would have a choice if push comes to shove?

prabowo very pro russia

and, the pushing and shoving would come from china anyway...

What makes everyone think that Russia and China are and will stay big friends?

The enemy of my enemy is my friend???

sypkan wrote:

etarip wrote:

gs-co: you reckon the Indons are interested in that?
Their territory being used to ‘go to war’ with a country that is contributing troops to a hypothetical ceasefire that has been internationally agreed - including by Russia.

Read your comment back to yourself and tell me it makes sense.

a better question is...

do you think Indonesia would have a choice if push comes to shove?

prabowo very pro russia

and, the pushing and shoving would come from china anyway...

It goes both ways. Indonesia, from what I understand through reading and podcasts, is unequivocal about its neutrality.

The scenario we’re talking about is termed, in defence, security and foreign affairs discussions, as Access, Basing and Overflight (ABO). Given our geography, Indonesias location has some profound implications for us in this regard.

Where countries host a base, they usually expect a degree of awareness and say about what happens at and from that base - in Australia’s case it is known as Full Knowledge and Concurrence (you can find a description of Australia’s policy here - https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/statements/2023-02-09/securing-austr... )

In conflict you would expect a neutral party to ban, restrict or limit ABO to all combatants and / or parties aligned to the conflict. And to defend their territory against violations of those. If they were to limit ABO to one side but provide it to another it would essentially align them with one of the parties / sides I conflict, removing its neutrality.

I don’t think Indonesia wants any part of a regional conflict. But China has done plenty to piss them off.

Geostrategically, China and Russia's interests align on a number of core dimensions.

They are also working together, particularly through BRICS, to upend and replace the current US dominated global order with a new one with China at the centre. It's interesting to look up the various interpretations of China's traditional name 中国 to see how China views itself among all other nations and civilisations.

A lot of the anti-West and anti-US etc views we see within Western countries nowadays are due to Chinese and Russian foreign interference and social media bots.

China and Russia are close to home and hosed on most of the drivers of geopolitical power as per Ray Dalio's conceptualisation of the rise and fall of global powers, the final one being usurping the US dollar as the global reserve currency.

There is currently a civilisational battle for the ages taking place on planet earth, which is also manifest in the hot wars of the Middle East and Ukraine. Russia and China are at the centre of it together. In many ways the US is going it alone, with its traditional allies either on the sidelines or at times even undermining it.