China's influence
I watched the Pacific forum recently.
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Scott Morrison was supposed to get condemnation from the Pacific Island nations, even coping a serve from the New Zealand PM. Yet, I wonder how many of us saw through the emotive stance some media in the south took against our country?
When China is pressuring these nations with loans and gifts that can out match Australian contributions, we need to look past the jargon and see it for what it is.
China was hardly mentioned by the Island Nations, yet Australia gives Millions of dollars to these people every year.
Yet this was forgotten with the Island leaders demanding we open no more coal mines. They do not want to contend with the so called rising of the oceans.
The blatant threat of this misrepresentation of the truth needs to be at the very least expounded, enabling us mere mortals to fully understand why our southern media used this forum to lambast of our own country. Even Labor Penny Wong, said that we need coal.
After the last election, I guess Labor has had to look at itself, however if they ever get the finger on the drag line, I wonder what they will do? China has increased coal consumption for 13 years in a row.
China alone, has accounted for 69% of the increase in coal production over the last 10 years while accounting for 47% of the global coal consumption.
China is New Zealand's biggest trading partner, yet the over exposed PM of NZ never mentioned China.
The brave Hong Kong protestors, face a world where the leaders of other countries are too frightened to move on Communist China, all because of money, profit, export dollars and loans.
Surely the rest of the world will act on China when the army moves into Hong Kong.
Trading off the backs of nearly every country on earth, China has control over so much of the Pacific Nations, that we will see a changing of the guard.
No longer will these Island nations look to Australia, they are being feted and wooed by money from China. The Pacific Ocean cannot rise unless all of the oceans do, it is ludicrous to even consider that the water will only rise in the Pacific and not in the oceans on the planet. The coastlines of all countries are changing, that is a fact.
Yet we see these Island leaders grand standing on the world stage, while sitting in the wings watching and smiling is China.
Knowing that no country on earth can stand against her, except maybe America.
I noticed that the protestors in Hong Kong carried American flags begging Donald Trump to help them.
While Australia sells ports and air fields to China, ignoring the human rights abuses and massive military build-up.
What will be next, the banning of American bases in Australia, crack down on free speech, or what we have left of it?
Debra Gibson, Pinnacles
Legacy Week
The beginning of September this year marks Legacy Week, the annual national appeal to support the families of veterans who have given their life or health for this country.
The Australian Defence Force provides a sense of community, with strong bonds, shared values and belonging for serving personnel and their families, which often extends to the ex-serving community.
Families are a big part of this community, often the first to notice when challenges are being faced and act as a source of strength.
However, they face their own unique challenges and it is important we all do our bit to help organisations like Legacy who are committed to looking after these families.
This year, Legacy Week runs from 1-7 September and will fundraise to support around 60,000 beneficiaries with essential services such as, counselling, special housing, medical, advocacy and social support.
Darren Chester MP
Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel