Andrew Bolt praises Richard Marles for ‘scarily honest’ assessment of Australia’s Defence Force

[@mrawesome5975]

In addition to Australia’s defence, let’s start with self sustainability,eg bring back our refineries, manufacturing and use our abundant coal and gas resources for reliable power to sustain manufacturing industries etc etc

[@rosriggs9728]

It just makes sense to do so... but it doesn't make sense to carry on about ruining the country for less than one percent of global warming as reported, because personally I do not believe a word of it... so yes, lets get rid of worrying about voices, treaties, wokism, constant country divisions, worrying about the palestine lot, and all the things that people make into a huge importance, but what really is important is that Aus. gets back to manufacturing, and mining. This country use to go forward in leaps and bounds, but it isn't now. It is such a shame.

[@AnthonyTolhurst-dw1nc]

Too late. That world is long gone.

[@seanlander9321]

Fuel is certainly our greatest worry.

[@axle.australian.patriot]

Don't stress we will have abundant green rainbow unicorn farts to power the nation by the time the hammer drops lol

[@franktully3065]

I wrote to former Defence Minister "Rainbow smokos" Payne several years ago, complaining about our fuel vulnerability. She eventually responded to inform me that Defence department can requisition fuel from everyone else in the event of a conflict. The Coalition is as responsible for our vulnerability as the current bunch of cowardly self serving idiots. Jim Molan warned us long ago, but his Party ignored him.

[@450tank]

Ditch renewables and build our defenses.

[@AndrewinAus]

And schools and employ teachers, specifically English teachers.

[@honestaussie5064]

They don't want defenses, they just want people who they can deploy overseas to fight in their never ending globalist western hegemony political wars.

[@rodsloane706]

Exactly. And get rid of that shitheaded ideologue Bowen!

[@homchahom4159]

Just vote One Nation

[@dmarshall8366]

One Nation has been around for years, tell us what it has ever done or changed for the better.

[@Christoph1888]

​@@dmarshall8366 because unless your in government or hold the balance of power in the Senate you can't do a thing. One Nation has never had any more than a few mp's. Do people not know this?

[@AndrewinAus]

Do they even have a Defence Policy? Scratch that does One Nation have any credible policies on anything?

[@dmarshall8366]

@@Christoph1888 Thank goodness, imagine the vile homophobic Mark Latham or Bigoted, racist Hansen having any real influence.

[@BretLoydREAL]

Will do.

[@8101nevermind]

No wonder the rest of the world thinks we're so slow.

[@AnthonyTolhurst-dw1nc]

Duh-uh

[@malkobitches]

I’ll quote Thatcher: “who says that”?

[@paythepiper6283]

Has the penny finally dropped for Labor? We need cheap power for manufacturing, and that's not renewables. We need to drill oil from Bass Straight and we need refineries reopened. We need to keep what steel and aluminium smelters we still have, and we need to increase our own domestic production of weapons.

[@IMGTOW-rk2ii]

TRUMP+HANSEN....lets go!!

[@Peter-ge9oi]

About time . All the people require is transparent honesty. If we are informed we can go forward from there.

[@jkgoogle5185]

Looks like It's 'Each Way' Marles now.. Don't upset your Commie mates Marles..

[@Nathan-ry3yu]

His commy mates have probably already been drill Sargent on it by America.

[@jackfrost2146]

Forget saving Australia from being decimated by war, we're going to save the WORLD by being a renewables SUPER POWER. No laughing allowed....

[@ivansultanoff6719]

We are totally opened to any outside force with no prospect of anyone to help us-not a comfortable state of this country

[@rustle2]

Lack of government scrutiny of immigration applicants over the past decade continues to be a major national security risk.

[@Nathan-ry3yu]

What they need is lie detection test for migrants applying for visa with real Aussies asking the questions.

[@Maj-zb9bg]

Spot on this country is full of foreign criminals which the authorities try too hide. Australia the sucker country because of the likes of I stand with Dan low IQ morons in the unions and community.

[@trg9765]

@@Nathan-ry3yu Ummm a truth detection test for pollies should be mandatory. Nothing but lying GRUBS

[@alexlanning712]

Look at all the Lebo's Hawkey let in, in the eighties

[@peterbarnhoorn7879]

However if the button needs to be pushed, Marles will run, Albo will cry...Wong will put out welcoming carpet ..😮

[@thepetridish9380]

Time to reassess the Gun Laws!!

[@DJ99777]

May as well piss in the wind.

[@Xx-Teza-xX]

yep open cary

[@wyattfamily8997]

Just as China becomes increasingly agressive Western Australia tightens gun laws so that law abiding citizens have more rights removed. Meanwhile criminals continue with their weapons, and China continues to build its military. We have IDIOTS for "leaders". Pauline Hansen has been WARNING about this for 2 decades and the left AND right derided her.

[@Nathan-ry3yu]

Aslong we get a cowboy hat to go with it

[@trg9765]

They are currently doing a 5 year review of the firearms legislation Australia wide & GUEST WHAT IT IS GOING TO GET HARDER & HARDER FOR THE PUBLIC TO LEGALLY OWN FIREARM. JUST LOOK AT WHAT'S CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN WA.

[@raymondphillips3102]

Shit they have finally woken up to the damage that the Paris and Lima accords have done to this country

[@KT-bb1tb]

Trouble is, Labor thinks that our Defence Force is for disaster Relief !

[@AnthonyTolhurst-dw1nc]

And their disaster too! Green Slime

[@Parawingdelta2]

There seems to be a contradiction here insofar as the concern about China. On one hand we're saying there a threat and yet we hand over shipping ports, mining operations and water distribution to them in addition to the millions of manufactured goods we rely on for everyday living. I'd say, they're basically already taken over.

[@trg9765]

ALL PART OF THEIR PLAN

[@patriot388]

Handsome Boy won't upset his China mates! 😂

[@rosriggs9728]

It would be funny except it isn't because elbow has not the strength of character to say to ccp... sorry, the port of darwin was a contract in error. It needs to be dissolved. That is all elbow has to say...!!!!

[@dantheman5222]

are we not spending 40 billion on first-nation people a year? so spending 1 billion a year on defence seems peanuts since 40 billion cant help 3% of the population What is 1 billion going to do to defend 100% of the population in a year.

[@KT-bb1tb]

Over $42 Billion !

[@Nathan-ry3yu]

Australia spends 50 billion a year on defence. Well now it will from previous 45 billion a year it was spending

[@trg9765]

And we have NOTHING to show from either budget expenditures. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Ahhhh we're "f%%ked"

[@dantheman5222]

@@trg9765 may as well turn our defence force into a peacekeeping force and nothing more

[@waynedavis9397]

Just put the First Nation first line of defence lol

[@bluemm2852]

Good that he's identified the problems. I wonder if he realizes that it's actually his job to fix it!

[@trg9765]

NOPE 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@sergiozammel8261]

Better call the Paramedics for me, he is telling me things I knew 20 years ago..> Prophecy..We will be eating steamed buns and rice by 2035.

[@yetanotherspuart3993]

Nah, looks like we will be under sharia law and eating cockroaches by 2027.

[@pandamagichero]

Steamed dim sims and beef and black bean with special fried rice would'nt be too bad.

[@emmakelly9694]

Too late now for defence spending, we are sitting ducks. Thanks politicians of Australia from the last 20 years

[@NateMcCarthy-d4b]

Well I wouldn’t fight for this country like my great grandfather, grandfather, great uncles, and their friends did in the past. Labor made it this way in the 1980’s when they basically signed our manufacturing industry’s death warrant under the Hawke Government.

[@Nathan-ry3yu]

Lama agreement was signed back in 1975 under Whitlam government. That was when Australia industry went down the tube.

[@RogerWilson-u4i]

​@@Nathan-ry3yu "LIMA" agreement, please, not lama

[@PhillipMikeHunt]

No millennials will fight. 50% identify as lgbtqorwhatevas. The other half have granddads money and live on easy street down by the beach.

[@NateMcCarthy-d4b]

@@Nathan-ry3yu but the manufacturing industry was completely killed off in the 1980’s mate companies like Holden and stuff were killed off in the mid 80’s and at the time nobody cared because they thought 2017 was going to take forever lol but we’re now in 2024 and we are rely on China for basically everything

[@rattleyourdags]

Surprise, surprise - the political class has let us all down.

[@dmarshall8366]

Bolt saying something good about a Labor Minister? 😮😮😮 The world gasps.

[@Barney_Rubble247]

You wouldn't see the left, do that.

[@alexfagyas9342]

Yes you are right. Left wing parties and government never would applase to liberal parties.

[@dmarshall8366]

@@Barney_Rubble247 Ha ha ha are you crazy, have you watched Credlin, Murray, Dean, Price etc? It's like a mouthpiece for the Liberal party every night. The irony of Bolt giving one compliment is worth a mention when 99.9 Percent of his content is far right wing, bigoted and often racist. And no, not an advocate for the ABC so no need for that pitiful argument. Like saying you are anti semetic when you don't support the genocide in Gaza.

[@jkgoogle5185]

Here's another good word about Marles... Marles sounds and looks like he should be in charge of the Mardi Gras..

[@BretLoydREAL]

😎

[@steverogers9507]

Geez. Just send the "Welcome card " Marles.

[@altaylor3988]

All very well talking about BILLIONS of DOLLARS for DEFENSE but this Labour Government apparently keeps pinching from the DEFENSE BUDGET

[@KT-bb1tb]

They Always Have !

[@cr3128]

Does Richard mean an invasion like buying real estate and Australian companies??

[@nipplegripple8581]

Yes...and also know Blackrock are getting ready to for big spend here... We dont win either way.

[@yetanotherspuart3993]

And farm land being rezoned for housing like the acres upon acres of farms closed down to make room for the migrants coming into NSW east of the Blue Mountains the last 5 years??????

[@nipplegripple8581]

@@yetanotherspuart3993 immigrants are labor voters...

[@cr3128]

Blackrock are major shareholders in the big 4 banks and own Woolworths and Ampol

[@rickzw67]

Chinas behavior has similar behavior patterns to how our governments treated the un vaccinated during the covid mania.

[@erin8709]

I could see this coming back in the 90's when I was a teen. How did the government's of Australia between the 1990s and now not prep for this over 30 YEARS. Completely incompetent....👉💨😵

[@TheChivasRegal]

We don’t even make cars anymore 😢

[@KT-bb1tb]

Promises, Promises......Labor (Marles) won't be There in 12 Months or Less !

[@Maj-zb9bg]

Is that why you and the opposition have let open slather buy up of Australian asetts which includes water power ports infrastructure land and commercial and domestic real estate ?

[@PippaGlynn-g3k]

National service is coming The supply change was shown during covid and yet the tree huggers and climate change . We have to be able to make and manufacture in this country like we did

[@gavinelliot3564]

Morrison/Albanese.have ruined Aust/time to emigrate

[@GoodMrDawes]

Bravo

[@DJ99777]

I’d like to see us procure intercontinental ballistic missiles, bombers and aircraft carriers.

[@johnsteere1768]

Was Tony Abbott on the money when he suggested buying sups from Japan?

[@advanceaustralia3321]

No, they are short range diesel powered submarines.

[@warrensaillard7022]

Hes pushing for the top job

[@VK6AB-]

The sad part of this is, its a consequence of 20+ years of poor government of both stripes combined with poor quality General Staff officers in the ADF. No question this is a significant failure and one that needs to be fixed quickly. The reality is, many very good, capable and well intentioned people have been pointing this out for many, many years and it has fallen on deaf ears.

[@Ernst12]

While the Labor government is admonishing us on climate change daily, scaremongering on climate change, our adversaries are now taking advantage of this and Labor is just waking up from its slumber.

[@domenica5714]

What? Did Albanese approve of Marles' speech?

[@Nathan-ry3yu]

Probably had no choice. America was on the phone giving him a drill Sargent in his ear.

[@yowten8994]

Our defence budget should be at least 10% of GDP.

[@stanyeaman4824]

No. We are not at war,- yet. 2.4% is a lot for peacetime. Not as high as Poland and Greece, but higher than UK and France. We have to make up for all the time and cost wasted by Malcolm Turnbull and his crazy French submarine converted from nuclear to useless diesel. We owe Morrison everything for cancelling that stupid deal and replacing it with AUKUS with direct access to top secret US-UK technology.

[@yowten8994]

@@stanyeaman4824 how much is the CCP spending GDP on their military. We need a minimum of 10%.

[@peterjames174]

Australia is screwed because of this government,

[@trg9765]

BOTH LNP & LY BORE.

[@peterjames174]

no this Labor government is out control everything is a stuff up.

[@blaizebonniemaizey3305]

Stop donateing and spend on defence !

[@trg9765]

Yep much money & defence equipment have they given to a war that has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with. Where Phuked while the UNI PARTIES are in power

[@Nathan-ry3yu]

All good to increase defence budget. Although nothing been delivered. Richard Marles should harry up and get some new ships built for RAN. Time is ticking

[@MrMikeV00]

I literally need to make 2 phone calls and the team will be here within a month.

[@johngodden4363]

As for our critical dilemma over fuel reserves and lack of refinery facilities, the undeniable fact is that Australia possesses massive oil reserves under the Arkaringa Basin in South Australia. More specifically shale oil which this woke government will not even contemplate to touch. Those reserves are calculated to be similar to those of Saudi Arabia. Already the USA has chosen to access their shale oil deposits and has in the space of ten years not only become self sufficient in fuel but also has become one of the leading exporters. Given the fact that China is also heavily dependent on the passage of Middle East oil, I ask everyone reading this - do you think they would have any qualms in accessing our shale oil if the USA suddenly fell under Donald Trump’s spell and withdrew from the region??

[@dmachin]

Labor catching up on underspending from the previous LNP/NP Governments

[@vallangley5901]

This has happened through both parties but labour where in power for a lot of the Afganistan war and troops where short of equipment then. !!!!!

[@glennhumphries9444]

China's fifth column is here and waiting.

[@CC-uq4hu]

We have almost zero defence😂😂😂😂

[@thesheepstationcook8266]

Rearm Australian Citizens

[@davewhite4206]

This minister even though he is Labor…I like! He is passionate and right!

[@trg9765]

WHAT DO GRUB 0 TITIONS DO BEST "LIE"

[@patrickwakefield2297]

finally some truth from a labor minister, we are totally vulnerable, close up the sea routes and we are done, all governments are guilty, we are living in a fools paradise. she'll be right mate is over, rip the money out of the many wasteful programs and start buying serious military gear, start with the aboriginal industry.

[@BretLoydREAL]

Australia has the biggest Sperging - Greaseball in the world... He's called *Dominic Pelle* and, even though he hates it here, he's one of Sky's most dedicated! 🤣🤣🤣

[@rogueelement8831]

If you're trying to make friends with him, you're going about it the wrong way.

[@_._._._._._._._]

Dominic Pelle doesn't use the 'he' pronoun

[@zlt2450]

and your boss is tapping on Xi's shoulder like his concubine?

[@axle.australian.patriot]

Bit of a Xi Keating Alblonese love triangle lol

[@S.Carrick]

Pity his boss is helping them along the way! 🇭🇲🇭🇲

[@snellavision]

It was more of what this government is good at: buzz words

[@heatherstewart8452]

He told them what to do😅,of course we wont be invaded, because that has already happened

[@clintonweier3264]

Yeah look how quick the US fobbed off Israel if they were going in on Iran which they should, you go in you are on your own a western democracy!! Australia we could be in exactly the same situation if china or anyone else wants what we have, the minerals!! Australia would have to be in its weakest position ever due to exceptional piss poor leadership from our piss weak politicians

[@stanyeaman4824]

We cannot afford both a $39bn pa Aboriginal industry AND a viable defence policy. One or the other must go.

[@cozofcat9170]

Time to bring back national service,that is a no1 priority.

[@danielmarsiglia4966]

Now... for a moment, also imagine that we'd be depending on that same China for 60% of our energy needs through Green Tech hardware. Do these ppl know whether they're coming or going? 🤷

[@iainscott2748]

All politicians of both parties need to be held to account for their inaction on the ADF over the last 20 years

[@edmurks236]

Put all these thousands of inew mmigrants in our defense forces bet they wouldn't even sign up to that!!!

[@rl7586]

Thanks God, I already thought you never put blame on the Liberals Good on you!

[@RobertLewis-el9ub]

We lost the ten year warning time trying to appease China.

[@Gregory-i4r]

Its great that any one think of attacking us has agreed to wait till were ready. Very gentlemany. 1.5 bill a year and upgrade of the long spear. No problems.

[@martyk7914]

I foolishly thought that the covid pandemic would have woken the Australian Government up to once again become self-sufficient in critical industries.

[@patricksharp1063]

Mr Marles, China has been preparing for Tawianese War for years, and now you are worried?

[@axle.australian.patriot]

Give Marles credit where it due on this one, but remember he has to appease the PM Paul Keating as well lol

[@whynotcreatelove]

they just gave 5 billion to UK Rolls Royce, and there will be another 5 billion to the US SUB manufacture, to build up their manufacturing base. Really, no jobs in Australia, just greasing our mates palms. Will it be a worthwhile investment, probably not.

[@Akenfelds1]

Australia is an incredibly rich country. Australia should do what Sweden is doing. Sweden has a military/industrial complex that makes it self-sufficient in everything: firearms, grenades, mortar shells, artillery shells, strike jets, tactical air superiority fighters, tanks, armoured vehicles, ... you name it. Sweden can supply themselves. Australia should have done that years ago. The army should be three times larger than it is and heavily trained for amphibious warfare. The nuclear submarines should already be part of the navy. Australia should have aimed to be the second largest aircraft carrier force in the world. Nero has been fiddling while Rome has been burning.

[@kingsleysmith7893]

Given the ships and subs are so far away should we be buying a lot more F35s? They can protect the air sea gap just as well if not even better than a ship.

[@axle.australian.patriot]

Drones :)

[@mclanaford2957]

So here we are ….5 Billion to Ukraine. But no money for our defence .

[@edmurks236]

Wong and Albo to busy worrying about supporting Hamas terrorists and Gaza with money not for the thousands of homeless in this country.

[@MrMikeV00]

What you do is you put IMPART on the ships. Let us teach.

[@antirnator8194]

Apart from keeping military spending in the negative Australia needs to destroy its energy security, this is the plan.

[@petersato-vo9jl]

Invasion from within

[@kathpagel1697]

Stop flying around what has your flying around everywhere cost us ?

[@TerryGaskett]

Andrew we've had the ability to know what was coming, but no-one admitted it or put anything forward to counter it, for the last 20 years. Putting mass money into military equipment for immediate receipt would only result in more land based vehicles, that we haven't got soldiers for. No our fight will be on the sea & as actions as are in process to strengthen our Navy/Airforce. Orders have already been placed, with a couple of naval procurements to come. These Orders have only eventuated under our current government. Yes they should have happened previously, but they didn't. Building ships, planes,subs takes time, we can only hope that our current actions will suffice.

[@advanceaustralia3321]

How many Chinese live in Australia?

[@PhillipMikeHunt]

My great great grandfather came from China in 1850. My mother's side came here in 1810. I'm probably more Australian than you. Chinese Australians served in the world wars. Billy Sing is one australias greatest soldiers that you never heard of.

[@advanceaustralia3321]

@@PhillipMikeHunt Is that your answer? Try using a number not unverifiable personal anecdotes.

[@PhillipMikeHunt]

@@advanceaustralia3321 you can't handle the fact that some Chinese are more aussie than you

[@PhillipMikeHunt]

@advanceaustralia3321 2021 census says 1.4 million. But most of us are more aussie than you.. We've been here since the gold rush.

[@advanceaustralia3321]

@@PhillipMikeHunt R U OK?

[@pkwong1940]

China did not ask Australia to stop its refininaries. China do not dictate the policies of other nations.

[@loscocolisos]

What IQ is average amongst politicians? Do they have to take a test?

[@eb2505]

These days I am concerned over whatever Bolt endorses.

[@trg9765]

AHHHH YES THE TYPICAL POLATITIONS MARKETING SPEECH PROMISE THE WORLD & DELIVER NOTHING.

[@MrMikeV00]

You think I'm joking.

[@paulreid2223]

😂😂😂 While Bent Penny and Airbrushed Ar*ehole are busily bending over for Chy.na !!!

[@harryevans5577]

Marles lol lol lol just the same sh,t , but a different day, nothings changed the Chinese are still in charge, it’s a smock screen,

[@Christoph1888]

How about we scrap the NDIS. That'll pay for it

[@AndrewinAus]

Yeah that'll work those with disabilities etc back to the 3rd class and steerage where you belong.

[@Nathan-ry3yu]

It's needed. Theirs a lot young kids who relying on NDIS to support their special needs. Australia government make enough money to support all. Even if they jack up defence spending to 6% GDP Australia could afford it. If a major war broke out it will cost Australia a lot more than that. It be more likely to hit 12% to15% GDP

[@bacillus5]

build more houses not bombs

[@Nathan-ry3yu]

Unfortunately we need both. And affordability

[@rogueelement8831]

​@@Nathan-ry3yuNo, we need houses. Anything else you think we need has been an invention of paranoia, and hysteria by the media.

[@Westyrulz]

Welcome to the Multicult.

[@Peter_Thorpe]

He should be PM,AnAl is hopeless

[@juliedobson3039]

China doesn’t have to attack us……..they have cherry picked all the land, and industry, have a port in Darwin and a few off shore islands….all with our blessings 😂😂….

[@garthbutterworth2836]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to be friends, set an example that wars are not an answer, don't go down the path of fascism, make money with good trade with a huge buyer. Why do you hate, is it because America runs your business and dictates your narrative?

[@axle.australian.patriot]

If you prefer to live under the CCP sociopolitical system no one will stop you from living in Chyna.

[@dominicpelle7841]

Australia has the largest SOLAR PANEL in the world, it's the size of Europe 😊 It's called the Simpson Desert. *Wouldn't it be safe..**to be energy self-sufficient.

[@BretLoydREAL]

Sad that you put your SNA addiction before your family, Pelle. Truly, some Labor voters are so disturbed that they are simply beyond help. Sad that they're so gullible (a characteristic of ASD) that they think Labor can provide that help.

[@TurnerFamilyInOz]

Very childish comment, Pelle 😊

[@jonathanparle8429]

Get back to us when you find a way to stop the earth rotating without the side effects of it not doing so.

[@axle.australian.patriot]

Why would you want to destroy an ecosystem and make the planet hotter :/

[@Nathan-ry3yu]

Do you know how hot it gets out there? Solar panels would melt. Are you going to pay for all the replacements?

[@gregbuckenara8063]

18

[@ricky6864]

Bolt a liar who cannot research a topic. A puppet

[@Peter_Thorpe]

If Dutton doesn’t become PM in next election we are finished

[@markfrost7460]

And where did it start Andrew, many , many years ago our defence budget was shambolic, and let down by liberals many years ago, you can't just turn around and fix it in the term of Labor, like everything, like every issue , our defence is in a problem because of one thing and one thing only.liberal and Labor decided many years ago to shut it down because they cowered in making the big decisions that may upset their political future