The Abbott government is building ties with countries and creating jobs for Australia. The Rudd/Gillard/Rudd government did nothing but build debt - massive debt - through reckless spending and promise what it could never deliver. If Billy Short-Term and his mob get back in we will see that debt build further and more promises that Labor will never deliver - dont let it happen! #Auspol #BSWNBPM #LaborLies -A HISTORIC deal for unprecedented defence co-operation between Australia and Japan to be signed this week by prime ministers Shinzo Abe and Tony Abbott creates the possibility of the two nations jointly building a fleet of hi-tech submarines. The co-ordinated push for closer defence ties by the two leaders has dramatically increased the likely levels of co-operation on what will be Australia’s biggest ever defence project. Mr Abe flies to Australia today for a visit that will seal a much closer economic and defence relationship between the two nations. The pact could also see a significant increase in joint training between Australian and Japanese forces, much of it on Australian soil. China is watching the Abe visit closely and with some concern. The leaders will sign both an Economic Partnership Agreement and an agreement on closer defence co-operation that will include work on submarine technology. The Australian understands that could quickly evolve into an agreement to set up a joint corporation to carry the submarine project, with some construction likely to be done in each country. The plan to build up to 12 submarines is set to be the biggest defence project Australia has ever confronted and the vessels are considered crucial to the future security and prosperity of a major trading nation. The Japanese Prime Minister will address a joint sitting of parliament tomorrow and has received a rare invitation to attend a meeting of the National Security Committee of Mr Abbott’s cabinet. The Australian has been told that the US has encouraged Australia to work closely with Japan, whose Soryu-class submarine is said to be the world’s best diesel-electric boat. Mr Abbott yesterday stressed the economic benefits of Mr Abe’s visit, noting that the Economic Partnership Agreement would give the farming sector better access to Japan for Australia’s beef, cheese, horticulture and wine. And consumers would benefit from less expensive household appliances and electronics. “Australia is a trading nation,” the Prime Minister said, “and more trade means more jobs.” Japan is Australia’s second-biggest trading partner — with almost $70 billion in two-way trade every year. While there has been speculation for some time that Australia might seek Japan’s help with aspects of its plan to design and build the fleet, negotiations have been kept largely under wraps and the prospect of major co-operation seemed remote. The Australian has been told that has changed dramatically because of the two leaders personal determination to strengthen security ties and the defence relationship is advancing much more quickly than anyone anticipated even weeks ago. Concern has been growing rapidly in Japan about tensions with China in several potential flashpoints including the Senkaku Islands, which are claimed by both nations. China calls the islands the Diaoyus. And the joint Japanese-US air-defence command said in a recent briefing that there had been more than 800 incursions into Japanese airspace in the past 12 months, some accidental but most involving Chinese military aircraft. That has added to longstanding concerns about the possibility of North Korea developing an accurate ballistic missile able to carry a nuclear warhead. A top priority for Mr Abe has been to persuade his nation’s parliament to change the interpretation of its pacifist constitution to allow the principle of “collective self-defence”. That will allow Japan to help its allies in a crisis and, presumably, its allies would be more likely to assist Japan. This change in a domestic policy that is very specific to post-war Japan has had an unforeseen but immediate impact on Australia’s submarine plans. Andrew Davies, of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute think tank, said the growing concerns in Japan had opened up the possibility of Australia making a major change in direction and sharing technology or buying complete submarines from Japan. That seemed to be a remote possibility until very recently, Dr Davies said, but having both prime ministers driving the idea could well make it happen. The Soryu-class submarine has long been considered off-limits to Australia because of Japan’s pacifist constitution. Dr Davies said China saw this as part of a wider plan to change the balance of power in the region. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told The Australian during a recent visit to Japan that the Abe government had indicated it would be willing to give Australia considerable help with the massive job of designing and building its new submarines — and would consider selling complete submarines. The governments are now looking at the submarine project in a whole new way. Ms Bishop told The Australian it was clear Japan wanted to raise co-operation with Australia on defence and security to a new level. “The language being used is unprecedented in terms of speaking of the special relationship, the depth and breadth of the friendship and their preparedness to share sensitive information with us,” she said. Ms Bishop said that while Australia was looking at submarine options from a number of countries, it became apparent during recent talks between Defence Minister David Johnston and his Japanese counterpart, Itsunori Onodera, that Japan was quite prepared to provide detailed information to Australia.- theaustralian.au/national-affairs/policy/defence-pact-to-lead-way-for-joint-submarine-venture/story-e6frg8yo-1226979818220
Posted on: Sun, 06 Jul 2014 21:33:52 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015