Australia news live: Vice Admiral David Johnston appointed new defence force chief in major command shake-up
Conroy shares images from United States visit
As we flagged earlier, the defence industry minister, Pat Conroy, is currently in the United States to meet with key officials and defence industry leaders.
He has just shared some images from the Sea-Air-Space exposition. In a statement yesterday, Conroy said he would be participating in an Australian industry roundtable “focused on doing business in the US”, plus a panel discussion to provide an update on Aukus[1].
I’ve hit the ground running @SeaAirSpace[2], joining an @Austrade[3] Australian Industry Roundtable on exporter lessons learnt from successful industry. As part of Team Defence ?? more than 60 companies will exhibit on the Australian Pavilion at Sea-Air-Space. pic.twitter.com/3kJ8vLGBVc[4]
— Pat Conroy MP (@PatConroy1) April 8, 2024[5]
The companies will have the opportunity to meet officials from the US Department of Defense and industry from across the ??#SAS2024 #MartimePower pic.twitter.com/Int1Ci0oWb[6][7][8]
— Pat Conroy MP (@PatConroy1) April 8, 2024[9]
Penny Wong on Australian assistance with humanitarian efforts in Gaza
The foreign minister, Penny Wong, says she has spoken with both her Egyptian and Jordanian counterparts to coordinate humanitarian responses in Gaza.
Wong wrote on X:
Australia is working with countries that have influence in the Middle East to help protect and support civilians, advocate for a humanitarian ceasefire, to prevent conflict from spreading, and to reinforce the need for a just and enduring peace.
Australia is working with countries that have influence in the Middle East to help protect and support civilians, advocate for a humanitarian ceasefire, to prevent conflict from spreading, and to reinforce the need for a just and enduring peace.
— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) April 8, 2024[10]
Wong said she spoke to Egypt’s foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry, last night to express support for the country’s “efforts to broker a ceasefire that enables the flow of aid at scale and the release of hostages.”
This week, Wong also spoke with Jordan’s foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, to coordinate humanitarian assistance in Gaza “including through the provision of parachutes for air drops”.
We agreed that a pathway out of this conflict was urgently needed and reaffirmed our commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Wong also spoke with the UN special humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, Sigrid Kaag. She wrote on X:
Australia has committed £2m to support Ms Kaag’s work to facilitate safe, unimpeded and expanded humanitarian access into Gaza. Israel must do more to ensure aid gets into Gaza, including immediate action to protect and support humanitarian actors.
We will continue to use Australia’s voice to advocate for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the protection of civilians.
Opposition weighs in on Aukus[12] announcement
The opposition foreign spokesman, Simon Birmingham, has responded to news that Japan may work with Aukus nations on pillar 2 of the defence deal.
He told Sky News that Japan was the perfect partner, but stressed the importance of Aukus in ensuring nuclear submarines were delivered to Australia, following reports of delays to the vessels:
It’s important to make sure there is 110% commitment across three Aukus partners for the delivery of [nuclear submarines] along the timelines that are outlined.
It’s important that everybody keeps the foot down on the pedal to keep things going there.
– from AAP
Albanese on Aukus[14] deal and Japan: ‘not proposing to expand membership’
Taking questions from reporters, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, commented on the potential for Japan to collaborate on projects through Aukus pillar 2:
What is proposed is to look at pillar 2 of Aukus and look, project by project, whether there would be engagement. Japan is a natural candidate for that to occur. We’ve already stepped up our defence relationship with Japan in agreements I’ve signed with prime minister [Fumio] Kishida, including access by Japan for Australian bases and Australia to have access in Japan as well.
We have had recently joint naval operations with Japan, including here in Australia, but when we look at pillar 2, that project-by-project approach is there.
What is not proposed is to expand the membership of Aukus.
Earlier this morning Australia and its Aukus partners, the US and the UK, announced they are considering working with Japan on pillar 2 of the defence deal. You can read all the details earlier in the blog here[15].
Marles announces further promotions in defence
Richard Marles also announced a number of other changes to the defence force as part of this round of promotions:
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Steve Chappell will become the new chief of the air force.
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Justin Jones will become the chief of joint operations.
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Susan Coyle will become the next head of joint capability.
Because of the announcements, the following people will be stepping down: Greg Bilton, John Frewen, Gavin Reynolds – and as the prime minister flagged before – General Angus Campbell.
Marles said:
Just under two years ago, when I came to this role, I sought an extension in Angus’s term of two years. I know that in asking Angus to serve those additional two years, that was a burden more than it was a joy, but he has taken that on, because it became really clear to me that in all that we needed to do, having continuity in command was going to be critically important.
I have benefited enormously from Angus’s wisdom, from his guidance and from his counsel. I am personally deeply grateful to you, Angus, for all the service that you’ve provided to me over the last two years but the nation is grateful to you in terms of the service that you’ve provided over a colossal career …
Marles says David Johnston ‘at very heart’ of reshaping culture and capabilities of ADF
The defence minister and deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, was next to speak and congratulate both Vice Admiral David Johnston and Air Marshal Robert Chipman for their promotions.
Speaking of Johnson, Marles said there is “no more experienced officer in the Australian Defence Force today” than him. As the vice chief of the defence force, David has been at the very heart of reshaping the Australian Defence Force both in terms of culture and also … in terms of the platforms and capabilities that we are seeking to acquire.
He has been in the engine room of all the work that we have done over the last two years and this is a moment where we need a safe pair of hands and deep experience to take our defence force forward and there is no person who meets those qualities better than David Johnston.
It is worth noting that, with this appointment, David will ultimately be the person who has served longest as a rank of three-star or above in the Australian defence force.
Angus Campbell to step down as defence chief
Anthony Albanese recognised the “extraordinary service” General Angus Campbell has provided as chief of the defence force:
Indeed, when he steps down, General Angus Campbell will have been the longest ever serving chief of the defence force. He has earned the respect and deep gratitude of Australia and we wish him all the very best for his future.
Government to recommend Robert Chipman as vice chief of defence force
The government is recommending Air Marshal Robert Chipman serve as new vice chief of the defence force.
Speaking in Canberra, Albanese said:
Air Marshal Chipman has provided outstanding leadership of the Royal Australian Air Force for the past two years and has an exceptional record of service and common.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is speaking to the media about a number of senior command changes within the Australian Defence Force. Subject to the governor-general’s consideration and approval, the changes will take effect in July this year, Albanese said.
The first recommended change is for Vice Admiral David Johnston to serve as the new chief of the defence force.
Albanese said:
Vice Admiral Johnston is a proven leader, with the experience, intellect and resolve to lead the ADF in a complex and rapidly changing global strategic environment …
In the Indo-Pacific, Iraq and Afghanistan, Vice Admiral Johnson has consistently distinguished himself with his capacity to ensure that different elements of defence work together.
His understanding of integrated defence will be critical to delivering on the priorities and recommendations of the defence strategic review, ensuring our defence force has the right capabilities and the right leadership to meet the challenges ahead.
There has been a 21% rise in the use of household batteries – that is, large-scale batteries that can power the home, usually charged by solar – according to Australia’s annual battery market report.
A record 57,000 battery systems were installed in Australian homes in 2023, while a record 656 megawatt/hours of residential battery capacity came online – along with a record-breaking level of installations in businesses of 402MW/h.
Big batteries totalled a record 1,410MW/h of capacity installed as more states turn to energy storage to better manage the evolving electricity grid.
SunWiz’s managing director, Warwick Johnston, released the report today and said:
The economic value of batteries is also increasing as the gap widens between what power companies charge for electricity and what they pay for Australian home owners’ excess solar energy.
Home batteries, or home energy storage systems, soak up excess solar energy during the day to be used in the evening and overnight, particularly for charging electric cars.
The cumulative number of home energy storage systems installed in Australia has topped 250,000, totalling 2,770MW/h, SunWiz said.
At grid-scale and with homes and businesses combined, almost 6,000MW/h of battery storage has been installed since 2015, the report found.
– from AAP
References
- ^ Aukus (www.theguardian.com)
- ^ @SeaAirSpace (twitter.com)
- ^ @Austrade (twitter.com)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/3kJ8vLGBVc (t.co)
- ^ April 8, 2024 (twitter.com)
- ^ #SAS2024 (twitter.com)
- ^ #MartimePower (twitter.com)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/Int1Ci0oWb (t.co)
- ^ April 8, 2024 (twitter.com)
- ^ April 8, 2024 (twitter.com)
- ^ (www.theguardian.com)
- ^ Aukus (www.theguardian.com)
- ^ (www.theguardian.com)
- ^ Aukus (www.theguardian.com)
- ^ here (www.theguardian.com)
- ^ (www.theguardian.com)
- ^ (www.theguardian.com)