US troops in Iraq, at risk of being killed or maimed by roadside bombs, will soon travel safely in an Australian-designed armoured vehicle. The Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle has impressed commanders in Iraq where the US-built Humvee has provided little or no protection for their troops. The Bushmaster, with its blast-resistant V-shaped reinforced steel hull [...]

I watched Noel Pearson on Lateline the other night and was so impressed with his compassion for his own people and his straight talking that I’ve include the transcript on the left with a view to leaving it there for some time. Do yourself a favour and read it.

The Howard/Brough plan to actually do something about the abysmal Indigenous problems has certainly taken Rudd’s union problems off the front page and the blog world is awash with opinions and attacks. The Left are screaming and as usual are very strong on criticism but offer no answers of their own. PATERNAL…A WEDGE…TAMPA 2007…BANDAIDS…TOP-DOWN IMPOSED [...]

Iranian naval forces in the Gulf tried to capture an Australian Navy boarding team but were vigorously repelled, the BBC has learned. The incident took place before Iran successfully seized 15 British sailors and Marines in March. The Australians, though, to quote one military source, “were having none of it”. The BBC has been told [...]

ALCOHOL and pornography will be banned in indigenous communities in the Northern Territory as part of a dramatic response to widespread child abuse, which was today labelled a “national emergency”. My first response – good! Second response – my, aren’t the lefties going to scream – good! They’ve had their go, now some hard work [...]

Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd set the ball rolling yesterday after the WA Supreme Court released footage a tape showing the unionist abusing a company representative who tells him he can’t enter a building site. Rudd lays down the law; “Under my leadership, I have made it clear that it is completely unacceptable for any member [...]

THE jury hearing the trial of police officer Chris Hurley – charged over a death in custody on Palm island have found him not guilty. No witnesses to the event and no apparent or obvious dereliction…..what else could they do? A political event that raised false hopes among the uneducated at Palm Island and has [...]

BRISBANE could be facing its coldest June day for more 90 years today as winter winds continue to lash Queensland. Winds of 75 km/hr on Moreton Bay and as I went for a drive to the shops the car dash says 10 deg outside. The winds are filling up the pool with leaves and other [...]

KEITH Payne didn’t have much time to think before taking the action which earned him the Victoria Cross in 1969, but he thought long before selling it. On Monday the Vietnam War veteran, one of Australia’s last two surviving VC recipients, sold his cross for an undisclosed amount to Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum. Keith [...]

JOHN Howard has angrily denied running “a rich man’s government” as he fought off Labor claims of a cover-up over using his taxpayer-funded residence Kirribilli to entertain Liberal donors. Personally, I don’t see the problem. Prime Ministers of all persuasions, Hawke included, have held social gatherings at Kirribili with a view to bolster support but [...]