US and Australia maintain security cooperation despite war crime allegations, says embassy review
The United States has ended a bilateral training review with Australia and found no need to suspend security cooperation despite allegations of war crimes by Australian special forces. The review was triggered by the Brereton inquiry report, which found “credible” evidence of 25 current or former Australian special forces personnel’s involvement in the unlawful killing of 39 individuals and the cruel treatment of two others in Afghanistan. The Leahy laws banned the US from training foreign security forces “where there is credible information implicating that unit in the commission of gross violations of human rights”.
The US embassy in Canberra stated that the Australian government’s actions to address the allegations, including Gen Angus Campbell’s revelation of the Brereton inquiry report triggering discussions between the two countries, had allayed any concerns. The embassy spokesperson insisted that defence and security ties between the two countries were “exceptionally close” and that “our defence and security cooperation is essential for security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”
One army member’s employment arrangements were “adjusted” to alleviate US concerns, prompting Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie to accuse the US of “dictating” what would happen to Australian personnel. Campbell denied this, emphasizing that changes were made with “due care” to the individual’s “circumstances and opportunities and professional development”.
Despite the allegations, the US embassy pointed to continued cooperation between the two countries, including annual rotations of Marines to Darwin, “enhanced rotations” of US air force aircraft to Australia, and the Aukus partnership that included the UK. The embassy spokesperson confirmed that funding for bilateral security cooperation was never suspended, and training activities were not impacted by the review.
The US embassy review highlights the importance of maintaining defence and security cooperation between allies despite serious allegations. As tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific region, it is crucial for countries to work together towards regional security and stability. The Brereton inquiry report’s revelations of alleged war crimes underscore the importance of accountability and transparency in military operations. The bilateral review underscores the need for continued cooperation and dialogue between allies to address such issues and maintain trust and security in the region.
Former residents of Christian rehabilitation facility accuse former Australian PM Scott Morrison of “silencing” them
Former residents of the Esther Foundation Christian rehabilitation facility in Perth have accused former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison of “silencing” them in their efforts to speak out about allegations of abuse and mistreatment. The claims emerged after the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) found that a $4m grant for the centre was approved with “insufficient due diligence” and was likely given without lawful authority. The facility, which claimed to help women with addictions, mental health and eating disorders, shut down last year following the allegations. Morrison visited the centre in 2019 to announce the grant, three years before the allegations were made public. There is no suggestion he had any prior knowledge of the allegations. Multiple claims of sexual assault, gay conversion therapy, forcible restraint and unqualified pharmaceutical treatment emerged through a Western Australian government inquiry launched after former residents spoke out in the media last year.
Cara Phillips, who spoke publicly last year about how she was treated at the facility, stated that Morrison’s visit had been a deterrent to women who wanted to speak out. “A lot of people have said that they felt further silenced by that, because it's even harder to speak out if something has been endorsed by the prime minister,” she said. Lucy Lorenti, who ran away from the facility in 2018 after being sent there for an eating disorder, said she had been preparing to speak up about her experiences until she saw the 2019 announcement. “Put next to a politician that the entire majority of the country has voted in because they trust that person, why would they believe someone who's been put into an institution?” she asked.
The ANAO's findings on the Esther Foundation were part of a wider investigation into the federal government's Community Health and Hospitals Program (CHHP), which the auditor found was "undermined by deliberate breaches of the Commonwealth Grants and Rules and Guidelines." The report found that 70% of the CHHP funding was directed to projects in electorates that were considered marginal. Centre for Public Integrity research director Catherine Williams said systemic reform was needed. "It's money that belongs to all Australian people, and they are absolute minimum requirements for what should be in place when that money is being spent," she said. She suggested that the criteria for grants programs worth more than $100m should be set out in legislation.
The former residents of the Esther Foundation hope that the ANAO findings will lead to further oversight of the grants approval process. Morrison’s office was contacted for comment. The ANAO’s report provides further evidence of the need for transparency and due diligence in all federal grants and funding programs. The government must act to ensure that taxpayer funds are being used appropriately and effectively to support vulnerable members of the community.
AI could be the solution for Australia's productivity problem
Artificial intelligence (AI) could be the solution to Australia's productivity problem, according to a recent report from ABC News. Investment in AI technologies by companies in the country has helped save thousands of working hours, with many looking to adopt AI in the next six to 12 months. However, there are concerns about the impact of AI on jobs, with research by Statista suggesting it could lead to the loss of 83 million jobs worldwide. While Australia's rate of AI adoption is below the global average, businesses are increasingly looking to the technology for productivity gains rather than reducing headcount. According to Goldman Sachs, AI could improve the world's GDP by 7% over the next decade.
The Mandala firm has modelled the top jobs that are likely to be impacted by AI in Australia, revealing that lawyers, judges, consultants, psychologists, counsellors and telemarketers are among the top ten occupations most affected. While white-collar jobs are expected to be most affected, some jobs will remain unaffected, such as those that require a more generalised understanding of the world, or jobs that involve a lot of interaction between people.
The impact of AI on jobs is not all negative, however. A recent survey by Microsoft revealed that 65% of workers would willingly give AI some of their more menial tasks. Teachers, for instance, could benefit significantly from AI, which could become an individualised tutor for every student, catering to their specific learning needs.
While AI could lead to job losses, it could also lead to the creation of new jobs that don't yet exist. AI is expected to be a game-changer and a major impact on the workforce, but most employers are not looking to reduce headcount. Instead, they are focused on using AI for productivity gains. Australia's rate of productivity has fallen by 3.5% in the last 12 months, resulting in a rise in unit labour costs with a direct impact on the country's economic wellbeing. The adoption of AI could lead to a significant improvement in productivity and help Australia remain competitive in the global marketplace.