Should Australia have an independent space capability?

Labor’s suggestion at the recent election that Australia should own merchant ships has sparked discussion among experts about what other areas of critical infrastructure should be brought within Australia’s control. While the opposition’s idea that Australia needed domestically-owned ships that could be requisitioned during times of emergency failed to move the electorate, some think the…

Defence marks progress with $535 million shipyard investment

Australia’s defence ministers have confirmed construction is on schedule at the Osborne Naval Precinct in Adelaide for a 2020 completion of the government’s major shipbuilding infrastructure investments. Canberra is spending $535 million at Osborne preparing the site, which built the Collins Class submarines, to construct Australia’s new Hunter class frigates. Defence minister Linda Reynolds and…