With his focus firmly on his own re-election and retaining his Australian prime ministership, Liberal MP for Cook Scott John Morrison continues to lay waste to established relationships with a number of other nations having trade or sovereign territorial interests in the region

 

On Thursday 16 September 2021 a forgetful geriatric US president, an English buffoon of a UK prime minister and, a somewhat desperate, 'trumpian' braggart Australian prime minister suddenly robbed of an active war zone to use in his upcoming election campaign photo ops, came together in a digital space to make an announcement - with as yet no substance behind it - which disturbed, upset, irritated or angered at least five other nations and possibly a well-established common market.

Our largest two-way trading partner in goods & services China accounting for est. one-third of our trade with the world; our oldest regional ally New Zealand; our most populous close neighbour Indonesia; another of our defence & regional security partners with which we a long-term, strong trading relationship Malaysia, a country known to use violent force in the Pacific against those it feels threatens its interests France; and, the European Union our third largest two-way trading partner in goods & services.

ABC News, 18 September 2021:

Senior French officials have accused Australia of deliberately keeping the country in the dark before announcing it would procure nuclear-powered submarines from the US and the UK, criticising a "breach of confidence".

The diplomatic spat is now threatening to spill over into Australia's trade relationship with Paris. Australia is currently negotiating a free trade agreement with the European Union.

When referencing the negotiations France's European Affairs Minister, Clément Beaune, told broadcaster France 24: "I don't see how we can trust our Australian partners."……

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the Australian and US ambassadors were recalled on request from President Emmanuel Macron, adding the decision was "justified by the exceptional seriousness of the announcements" made by the new AUKUS alliance between the US, Australia and the UK.

Mr Le Drian said the cancellation of the deal constituted "unacceptable behaviour between allies and partners, whose consequences directly affect the vision we have of our alliances, of our partnerships and of the importance of the Indo-Pacific for Europe".

France has also called off a gala at its ambassador’s house in Washington scheduled for Friday. The event was supposed to celebrate the anniversary of a decisive naval battle in the American Revolution, in which France played a key role.

BBC News, 18 September 2021:

How do you even pronounce Aukus? Something along the lines of "awkward" came the wry suggestion from one Brussels diplomat this week.

And while France has condemned the Australia-UK-US security pact as a "stab in the back", it is certainly awkward for the European Union too.

Firstly, because not only were they not in the room for discussions, they barely seemed to know the room existed…...

“We regret not having being informed, not having been part of these talks. I understand how disappointed the French government will be” Josep Borrell,EU foreign policy chief ….

The Sydney Morning Herald, September 2021:

Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob fears the new three-way defence alliance between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom will trigger a nuclear arms race in the contested Indo-Pacific.

On Saturday, Malaysia joined Indonesia in raising alarm bells about the military build-up in the region and the impact that the AUKUS pact, which includes Australia acquiring nuclear-propelled submarines, could have on regional stability……

“At the same time, it will provoke other powers to act more aggressively in the region, especially in the South China Sea,” his statement said. “As a country within ASEAN, Malaysia holds the principle of maintaining ASEAN as a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality.”…..

Aaron Connelly, an analyst at Singapore’s International Institute for Strategic Studies…..As Australia moves ever closer to the US under the AUKUS deal, Connelly thinks other nations in the region “will be less likely to side with Australia on specific issues because Australia has done this”…..

The Washington Post, 17 September 2021:

China on Thursday slammed a decision by the United States and Britain to share sensitive nuclear submarine technology with Australia….

At a regular news briefing in Beijing, Zhao said the alliance “seriously undermined regional peace and stability, aggravated the arms race and hurt international nonproliferation efforts.”…..

On Thursday, the state-run Global Times described the United States as “losing its mind trying to rally its allies against China” and accused Australia of becoming a “running dog” of Washington…..

The Sydney Morning Herald, 17 April 2021:

Australia’s plan to arm itself with a fleet of nuclear-propelled submarines to combat the rising threat of China has been met with alarm by near neighbour Indonesia.

South-east Asia’s largest country has expressed unease about Australia’s dramatic enhancing of its military, notably its intention to use US technology to build eight nuclear-powered submarines as part of the new three-way defence alliance with Washington DC and London.

In a statement issued on Friday, Indonesia foreign affairs spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said Jakarta had taken note of Australia’s decision to acquire nuclear-powered submarines and stressed “Indonesia is deeply concerned over the continuing arms race and power projection in the region”….

Naval News, 16 September 2021:

Following yesterday’s announcement that the Australian Government will no longer be proceeding with the Attack Class Submarine Program, France’s Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Defense issued the following statement:

France takes note of the decision just announced by the Australian government to stop the “Future Submarine Program” ocean-class submarine program and to launch cooperation with the United States on nuclear powered submarines.

It is a decision contrary to the letter and the spirit of the cooperation which prevailed between France and Australia, based on a relationship of political trust as on the development of an industrial and technological base of defense of very high level in Australia.

The American choice which leads to the removal of an ally and a European partner such as France from a structuring partnership with Australia, at a time when we are facing unprecedented challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, whether on our values or on respect for multilateralism based on the rule of law marks an absence of coherence that France can only observe and regret.

While the joint communication on the European strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region is being published today, France confirms its desire for very ambitious action in this region aimed at preserving the “freedom of sovereignty” of everyone. . The only European nation present in the Indo-Pacific with nearly two million of its nationals and more than 7,000 soldiers, France is a reliable partner which will continue to keep its commitments there, as it has always done.

The regrettable decision just announced on the FSP program only reinforces the need to raise the issue of European strategic autonomy loud and clear. There is no other credible way to defend our interests and values in the world, including the Indo-Pacific.

Newshub.com.nz, 16 September 2021:

New Zealand's Prime Minister has now responded, saying she discussed the arrangement with Australia's Scott Morrison on Wednesday night [15 September 2021].

"New Zealand is first and foremost a nation of the Pacific and we view foreign policy developments through the lens of what is in the best interest of the region," Ardern said.

"We welcome the increased engagement of the UK and US in the region and reiterate our collective objective needs to be the delivery of peace and stability and the preservation of the international rules based system.

"New Zealand’s position in relation to the prohibition of nuclear powered vessels in our waters remains unchanged."

UPDATE:

Reuters, 20 September 2021:

PARIS, Sept 19 (Reuters) - France has cancelled a meeting between Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly and her British counterpart planned for this week after Australia scrapped a submarine order with Paris in favour of a deal with Washington and London, two sources familiar with the matter said.

Parly personally took the decision to drop the bilateral meeting with British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, the sources said.

The French defence ministry could not be immediately reached. The British defence ministry declined comment.

The sources confirmed an earlier report in the Guardian newspaper that the meeting had been cancelled…...

Tweet of the Week - with video

 

Back to the Future.......

Everything you need to know about Australia's defence policy... #UtopiaABC pic.twitter.com/nadv8IVVBV

— Working Dog (@workingdogprod) August 30, 2017

COVID-19 Pandemic in 2021: comparing Australia to four other OECD countries as at Sunday 12, Monday 13 & Tuesday 14 September 2021

Click on images to enlarge

DAILY NEW COVID-19 CASES

7 DAY ROLLING AVERAGE OF DAILY CASES

WEEKLY DEATHS

ESTIMATED INFECTION RATE

PERCENTAGE OF DELTA VARIANT IN INFECTION POOL

 

FATALITY RATE

DAILY COVID-19 TESTS

PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION FULLY VACCINATED

PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER RANKING

 

For updates see:

https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus

Lismore City local government area goes back into regional lockdown from 6pm today, Thursday 16 September 2021

 

Lismore City residents were out of regional lockdown for barely 6 days and then this.....

The Goonellabah Public School remains closed for deep cleaning after a person who attended the school on Monday, September 13, tested positive to COVID-19. 

This individual was infectious in the community from last Sunday, 12 September 2021, and had recently returned from Sydney where they had become infected.

It is believed this person while infectious visited;

Muzza's Milk Bar, 1/5 Oak Street Evans Head on Sunday, September 12, 1:15pm-1:45pm

Silly Solly's, 185 Keen Street Lismore on Tuesday, September 14, 8:55am-9:00am

Lifeline Shop, 71 Magellan Street Lismore on Tuesday, September 14, 9:05am-9:20am

NSW Health, media release, 16 September 2021:

Stay-at-home orders will be introduced for the Albury and Lismore Local Government Areas (LGAs) from 6pm today (Thursday) for one week due to an increased COVID-19 public health risk.

These stay-at-home orders also apply to anyone who has been in Albury since 10 September and Lismore since 7 September due to recent COVID-19 exposures.

Everyone in Albury and Lismore LGAs must stay at home unless it is for an essential reason, which includes shopping for food, medical care, getting vaccinated, compassionate needs, exercise and work or tertiary education if you can’t work or study at home. [my yellow highlighting]

Albury and Lismore residents who are fully vaccinated can attend an outdoor gathering of up to five people for exercise or outdoor recreation as long as all of those aged 16 or older are fully vaccinated.

To determine the extent of the risk and detect any further potential COVID-19 cases in these areas we are calling on the communities to come forward for testing in large numbers.

A strong response to testing will be a key factor in determining if these stay-at-home orders are extended beyond one week. High vaccination rates are also essential to reduce the risk of transmission and protect the health and safety of the community.

There are more than 500 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week. Testing clinics in Albury and Lismore areas include:

• Albury – Albury Dorevitch Pathology Walk-in Clinic, Lavington Hall, 488 Urana Road Lavington

• Albury - Albury Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology Drive-through Clinic, Demountable Building, Albury Showground

• Wodonga - Albury Wodonga Health COVID Clinic, 79 Vermont, Street

• Wodonga - Wodonga Respiratory Clinic, 224-226 Beechworth Road

• Lismore - Lismore Base Hospital, Uralba Street

• Lismore - Lismore 4Cyte Pathology Drive-through Clinic, 47-49 Dawson Street

• Lismore - Lismore Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology Walk-in Clinic, Shop 12, Wyrallah Road Shopping Centre, 62 Wyrallah Road

• Lismore - Southern Cross University Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology Drive-through Clinic, Southern Cross University, Military Rd, East Lismore

• COVID-19 vaccination is available through NSW Health clinics, GPs, pharmacies and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS).

Use the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker to find the nearest vaccination clinic, or visit Get your COVID-19 vaccination.

A list of regional and rural NSW Health vaccination clinics is available on the NSW Government website.

A number of regional LGAs have been deemed low risk and have not recorded any COVID-19 cases for the past 14 days.

Stay-at-home orders will be lifted for Bega Valley, Blayney, Bogan, Cabonne, Dungog, Forbes, Muswellbrook, Narrabri, Parkes, Singleton, Snowy Monaro and Upper Hunter Shire LGAs from 1pm today (Thursday 16 September).

However, these LGAs will continue to operate under some restrictions to ensure community safety.

The following freedoms are now available to all people in regional LGAs where stay-at-home orders have been lifted:

Gatherings in the home and public spaces:

• Up to five visitors will be allowed in a home (not including children 12 and under).

• Up to 20 people can gather in outdoor settings.

Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms:

• Hospitality venues can reopen subject to one person per 4sqm inside and one person per 2sqm outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.

• Retail stores can reopen under the one person per 4sqm rule.

• Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with one person per 4sqm, capped at five clients per premises.

• Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the one person per 4sqm rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.

• Sporting facilities including swimming pools can reopen.

Schools:

• Schools will re-open with Level 3 COVIDSafe measures in place.

Stadiums, theatres and major outdoor recreation facilities:

• Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with one person per 4sqm, capped at 5,000 people.

• Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.

• Indoor entertainment and information facilities including cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries can reopen with one person per 4sqm or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.

Weddings, funerals and places of worship:

• Up to 50 guests can attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking only while seated.

• Up to 50 guests can attend funerals, with eating and drinking while seated.

• Churches and places of worship to open subject to one person per 4sqm rule, with no singing.

Travel:

• Caravan parks and camping grounds can open.

• Carpooling will be permitted.

Masks:

• Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports.

• Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask when outdoors.

• Children aged under 12 will not need to wear a mask indoors.

For more information, please visit the NSW Government website.

Clarence Valley Council opened the door wide and invited a ravenous wolf inside

Clarence Valley Council has agreed to allow another local government outside the Clarence River catchment area to purchase a 50 per cent interest in vital water supply licenses on the Nymboida River sub-catchment.

This effort to save money on the final purchase price agreed with state-owned Essential Energy will cost Clarence Valley communities dearly in the future, as Coffs Harbour City Council continues expanding its rate base through unsustainable urban and industry development to the detriment of the aesthetic, cultural, environmental, economic values of the Clarence River system.

Clarence Valley Independent, 15 September 2021:

After many years of secret negotiations between Clarence Valley Council (CVC) and Essential Energy (EE), Coffs Harbour City Council (CHCC) and CVC will each hold a 50 per cent share of “the disused Nymboida Hydro Power Scheme and associated water licences” once the deal is settled……

Mr Lindsay clarified the ownership breakdown, given that CHCC was not party to the confidential agreement between CVC and EE.

“The actual land and infrastructure are purchased by the CVC, in name, but Coffs Harbour, by their regional water supply agreement [with CVC], will contribute 50 per cent,” he said.

Mr Lindsay said CVC met with EE yesterday (after the paper’s editorial deadline) to discuss a minor subdivision, to accommodate EE’s existing substation, and whatever else needs to be done to “achieve settlement”, including the lodgement of a development application (DA) for the substation subdivision.

Mr Lindsay said the settlement period was “lengthy” and that the “water licences haven’t been transferred yet”, so he was unable to provide an estimated finalisation date.

“Just so we are clear on the value of the purchase,” he said, “the whole process has been reviewed by NSW Treasury and they’ve given their okay.”……

Meanwhile, all references to the Nymboida power and water decisions made by councillors over past years were removed from CVC’s ‘Council Meeting Checklist – Update on Actions Taken’, following the July 2021 CVC meeting, including the investigation of recommissioning the hydro station.

When asked why the items were removed, Mr Lindsay said, “It’ll become clear when the confidential resolution form the July extraordinary meeting is made [public]; it’ll become clear then.”…..

Coffs Harbour City Council’s general manager, Steve McGrath, said the deal was an “essential step in concluding security for the Coffs Harbour City and CVC water supplies”.

“CHCC look forward to working with CVC to formalise the governance arrangements around the regional water supply scheme, through the appropriate treatment and recognition of the applicable water supply assets involved in the Nymboida power station and licences,” he said in the media release…...

COVID-19 regional lockdown has been removed from the seven local government areas in northeast NSW but lessons learnt need to be included in planning for any future lockdowns

Echo NetDaily, 14 September 2020:

Around 8,000 free meals were given to a dramatically increased number of people needing them in Ballina over the lockdown period starting 9 August.

Organisers at the Rotary branch in Ballina, as well as volunteers for the Ballina Hot Meals service at Ballina’s Masonic Lodge and workers at the Cherry Street Sports Club have all described a rapid spike in people needing help to get by when work and revenue stopped for many in response to the lockdown.

Greens Member for Ballina Tamara Smith raised the alarm early in the lockdown on Bay FM after receiving a letter from the Rotary Club referring to single parents struggling to feed their families, women sleeping in their cars and elderly people needing help.

Many people reportedly lost work in Ballina when retail and hospitality outlets were forced to close or significantly reduce their productivity.

Ballina Hot Meals was offered twice per week, was overwhelmed with demand and in need of extra volunteers.

Ban on church gatherings impacts local homeless service

Ballina Hot Meals has served dinner to the homeless and others in need for more than twenty years but was threatened shortly after the pandemic declaration last year.

A local church had funded the service through money collected during services but ran out of money when in-person events were outlawed under public health orders.

A desperate call for help was issued and that’s where the Cherry Street Sports Club [CSSC] entered the scene.....

Mr Sheehan said the CSSC board last year ‘graciously committed to $25,000 per year for three years’ to get Ballina Hot Meals ‘back up and running and fully funded’.

More recently, Mr Sheehan said the board ‘graciously approved’ to pay club staff through this lockdown.

‘So we ramped up the kitchen again, and started preparing meals,’ he said.

Speaking last week, Mr Sheehan said club workers were ‘just about to hit the 6,000 meal mark’ since the ninth of August, and volunteers still serving dinner twice per week had given away around 2,000, with the food all funded by the club and in-kind donations.

‘So it’s definitely been needed, that’s for sure,’ Mr Sheehan said…..

Read the full story here.

Another win for local community in the Battle for the Bylong Valley, NSW

 

Locals opposed the development of a the mine.(ABC News: Liv Casben)

The fight to stop a multinational mining company from devouring the Bylong Valley in New South Wales began way back in 2010.

By 2015 Korean energy giant KEPCO held 7,385 hectares of freehold land in the valley for its proposed thermal coal mine.

In 2017 that landholding had grown to more than 13,000 hectares of Bylong Valley land. At that time the entire mining project was expected by KEPCO to directly impact/”disturb” est. 2,874.7 hectares within the 700 sq. km Bylong River catchment area.

IMAGE: The Land, 1 August 2017

Good agricultural land was being subsumed by this proposed mine and vital water resources threatened.

The Bylong Valley community and its supporters have fought on through a number of jurisdictions for the last ten years.

This is the latest legal success farmers & other residents from the area have achieved…….

On 14 September 2021 the NSW Supreme Court, Court of Appeal dismissed the KEPCO Bylong Australia Pty Ltd appeal of a Land and Environment Court of NSW judgment.

KEPCO was unsuccessful with respect to each of the five ground of appeal against the primary judge’s dismissal of its challenge to the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) decision and was ordered to pay the costs of the active respondent, Bylong Valley Protection Alliance Inc.

KEPCO can of course seek special permission to appeal to the High Court of Australia and, it seems likely that mindlessly pro-mining NSW Deputy Premier & Nationals MLA for Monaro John Barilaro will encourage such an action.

However, this 14 September Court of Appeal judgment was unanimous and that gives cause for comfort.

ABC News, 14 September 2021, excerpt:

Bylong Valley Protection Alliance (BVPA) president Phillip Kennedy hopes the decision will allow the community to rebuild itself.

"I'd really like to see this valley that's been purchased by Kepco under the pretense of a proposed coal mine 10 years ago when they started [to be given back]," he said.

"We would like to ask the South Korean government to release that land back, to allow the mums and dads and the farmers of Australia to come here and to bring it back to what it once was."

The appeal zeroed in on the interpretation of parts of environmental policy and whether or not the IPC's refusal was legally sound.

But today's verdict backed the IPC's judgement that the project would cause "long lasting environmental, agricultural and heritage impacts"….

Bylong Valley, NSW
IMAGE: ABC News, 17 April 2019