Labor leader Wayne Swan has his finger on the pulse of the Australian economy as the nation’s deputy prime minister and treasurer, which means he’s well-equipped to explain factors defining the increasingly robust relationship between China and Australia.The period since diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1972 has been marked by an astonishing
Mike Pezzullo and Giving War a Chance Dr. Binoy Kampmark | May 1, 2021 [addthis tool= addthis inline share toolbox above ]
Those madly titillated by conflict have become bolder of late in the corridors of the isolated Australian capital. In such spaces, insanity can be nurtured with a sickening attention to detail, much of it fictitious. One of the most powerful bureaucrats of the Australian Public Service has made a contribution to a war dance he regards as virtually unavoidable. Mike Pezzullo, Home Affairs Secretary, is keen to shed some blood in combating the China Menace if needed.
The outcome of this wish is always vicarious: others die so that bureaucrats may shuffle papers, consult minutes and scoff the scotch. This is then justified on the basis that sacrifices are necessary to defend that indefinable property called freedom.
Wednesday, 28 April 2021, 3:49 pm
Those madly titillated by conflict have become bolder of
late in the corridors of the isolated Australian capital. In
such spaces, insanity can be nurtured with a sickening
attention to detail, much of it fictitious. One of the most
powerful bureaucrats of the Australian Public Service has
made a contribution to a war dance he regards as virtually
unavoidable. Mike Pezzullo, Home Affairs Secretary, is keen
to shed some blood in combating the China Menace if
needed.
The outcome of this wish is always vicarious:
others die so that bureaucrats may shuffle papers, consult
minutes and scoff the scotch. This is then justified on the
Mike Pezzullo and Giving War a Chance | Dissident Voice dissidentvoice.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dissidentvoice.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A powerful and assertive China poses significant policy challenges for Australia. Many of our most pressing policy issues have crucially important China angles, from freedom of speech on university campuses to scientific research collaboration and supply chain management.
Yet, there is a dire lack of policy expertise on China in the public service and few signs this is improving.
The Australian Public Service (APS) has long recognised the importance of Asia expertise generally. However, an independent review in 2019 noted that while Asia proficiency was a core focus of the 2012 Asian Century White Paper,
coordinated and sustained action to deepen Asia-relevant capabilities was not taken then, and it remains a skills gap across the public service.