Defence: fact, folly and fiction - On Line Opinion - 24/5/2012

Defence: fact, folly and fiction - On Line Opinion - 24/5/2012:

"With an independent and tough minded analysis of Australia's defence requirements, post-Afghanistan, and at some distance from the bullying of the US, we might find that we can do more with less, once we establish what it is we need to do to co-exist, foster and protect our interests within the region."

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Magpie 2.0: Australian SAS in Africa

Magpie 2.0: Australian SAS in Africa:

“A secret squadron of Australian SAS soldiers has been operating at large in Africa, performing work normally done by spies, in an unannounced and possibly dangerous expansion of Australia's foreign military engagement. The deployment of the SAS's 4 Squadron - the existence of which has never been publicly confirmed - has put the special forces unit at the outer reaches of Australian and international law."

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News you may have missed #734 « intelNews.org

News you may have missed #734 « intelNews.org:

"Australian spy agency in rent dispute. The Australian government insists there is no dispute over the lease of the new, state-of-the-art headquarters of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, which cost nearly A$589 to build. But according to a number of government sources, the property has become the subject of a standoff between the ASIO and Australia’s Department of Finance and Deregulation. The Canberra Times reports that the Finance Department has told ASIO it will have to hand over more money than anticipated because of a blowout to building costs and timing. But the ASIO is refusing to pay more than initially agreed."

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Greens challenge indefinite ASIO detention

Greens challenge indefinite ASIO detention:

"A young pregnant woman and her two primary school-age sons are the latest refugees to be detained indefinitely under laws the Australian Greens are seeking to amend."

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Spooked by the expansion of ASIO | canberratimes.com.au

Spooked by the expansion of ASIO | canberratimes.com.au:

"IN THE first five years of this century, terrorism and national security were at the forefront of government thinking."

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Roxon plans one warrant to snoop us all | Green Left Weekly

Roxon plans one warrant to snoop us all | Green Left Weekly:

"Attorney-general Nicola Roxon is planning a raft of new powers for ASIO to intercept and store any individual’s information. The move follows the adoption of new laws that allow Australia’s spy agencies to target individuals and organisations that oppose the government's interests — nicknamed the “WikiLeaks amendment”."

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Vamvakinou denies terrorists ‘hotbed’ claim - Local News - News - General - Hume Weekly

Vamvakinou denies terrorists ‘hotbed’ claim - Local News - News - General - Hume Weekly:

"CALWELL MP Maria Vamvakinou wants to ‘‘set the record straight’’ — she does not believe Melbourne’s north is a ‘‘hotbed’’ for terrorists."

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Sky News: Carr hopeful China accepts Huawei ban

Sky News: Carr hopeful China accepts Huawei ban:

"Foreign Minister Bob Carr is hopeful China will eventually accept Australia's decision to ban Huawei Technologies Ltd from bidding for work on the National Broadband Network."

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Serco blocks Aboriginal passports for detained Tamil refugee, Villawood | Green Left Weekly

Serco blocks Aboriginal passports for detained Tamil refugee, Villawood | Green Left Weekly:

"The statement below was released by Ray Jackson, president of the Indigenous Social Justice Association on May 15. Jackson tried to visit Tamil refugees Villawood detention centre, who have been given adverse security checks by ASIO and cannot be released from detention."

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Spooked by the expansion of ASIO

Spooked by the expansion of ASIO:

"IN THE first five years of this century, terrorism and national security were at the forefront of government thinking."

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ASIO » The Selection Criteria for ASIO job applications

ASIO » The Selection Criteria for ASIO job applications:

"ASIO have two standard selection criteria for all roles and a third that is specific to the role:"

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www.canberratimes.com.au - Spooked by the expansion of ASIO

www.canberratimes.com.au - Spooked by the expansion of ASIO:

"IN THE first five years of this century, terrorism and national security were at the forefront of government thinking."

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Desert Herald » Heralding The Truth » Australian Secret Intelligence Service

Desert Herald » Heralding The Truth » Australian Secret Intelligence Service:

"A secret squadron of Australian SAS soldiers has been operating at large in Africa, performing work normally done by spies, in an unannounced and possibly dangerous expansion of Australia's foreign military engagement. The deployment of the SAS's 4 Squadron – the existence of which has never been publicly confirmed – has put the special forces unit at the outer reaches of Australian and internati..."

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Powers push for intelligence agencies

Powers push for intelligence agencies:

"THE government is pursuing a significant expansion of Australia's intelligence agencies' powers including the creation of ASIO super warrants, extending search warrants to six months and forcing on private industry a powerful data retention scheme."

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Resolution 6: Defend Julian Assange

Resolution 6: Defend Julian Assange:

"This Congress denounces the Labor government’s intimate involvement in the conspiracy by the Obama administration to railroad WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to jail. By refusing to defend the basic legal rights of the Australian citizen, the Gillard government has played a crucial role in the operation against him."

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Biggest hit strips $5.5 billion from military's spending

Biggest hit strips $5.5 billion from military's spending:

"FIVE-AND-A-HALF billion dollars will be ripped from Defence over the next four years by stalling a series of multibillion-dollar projects and slashing its civilian workforce."

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Activist trainer undeterred by ASIO threat - Aidan Ricketts » Aidan Ricketts

Activist trainer undeterred by ASIO threat - Aidan Ricketts » Aidan Ricketts:

"In light of recent threats of ASIO and the Federal police spying on environmental campaigners, a new book by author, university lecturer and activism trainer Aidan Ricketts is likely to cause further “interest.” The Activists Handbook: A Step By Step Guide to Participatory Democracy is being launched tomorrow night, Thursday, May 3, 2012."

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Federal budget | Malcolm Maiden

Federal budget | Malcolm Maiden:

"There's some real stuff in there. Most government agencies have had their budgets trimmed (ASIO is an exception) and we've re-banked $4.6 billion by calling off the corporate tax cuts you on the other side of the House were refusing to pass anyway: explain that to your masters."

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NBN in April: Watching the media watch the NBN – Features – ABC Technology and Games (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

NBN in April: Watching the media watch the NBN – Features – ABC Technology and Games (Australian Broadcasting Corporation):

"Repercussions from the three-year NBN Co rollout plan set the stage in April, with many electorates seething at having been left out of the rollout, even after months of lobbying. Some doctors were upset they were being pressured to embrace e-health while being denied the NBN. There were also the usual recriminations and insinuations of political favouritism, which were quickly denied by Julia Gillard."

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Public hearings for security reforms

Public hearings for security reforms:

"A Parliamentary Committee has been asked to hold public hearings into intelligence and security issues to inform a review of national security legislation."

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