Thanks to our mate Tim Andrews for this letter.

You can read more about the Royal Navy's West Africa Squadron here -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Africa_Squadron

Mr Masked Gunman could do with a bit more time at the range.

EXCLUSIVE: Security vision has emerged of the moment a man was shot in broad daylight in a suburban street in Turella, in southern Sydney. @laurakatebanks #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/XQtLCkUMMN

— 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) August 27, 2020

From The Australian today:

After taxpayers forked out $10m for a design project overseen by a prestigious board of Australians, including mining magnate Andrew Forrest, Atlassian tech entrepreneur Mike ­Cannon-Brookes and Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, The Australian can reveal it is being “reworked” although it will continue to use the Golden Wattle theme.

The Nation Brand Advisory Council, established by former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, made the decision to rethink the national brand after a 2017 foreign policy white paper recommended greater “consistency” for Australian businesses presenting themselves on the international stage.

ENDS

Part of our report on Turnbull's legacy.

Turnbull legacy - Australian Made kangaroo logo dumped for new 'Coronavirus vomit' trademark

Wednesday, 01 July 2020

The Morrison Government will introduce new legislation to ensure the arrangements states, territories, councils and universities have with foreign governments are consistent with Australian foreign policy.

The Commonwealth Government has exclusive responsibility for conducting Australia’s foreign affairs. However, state and territory governments and their entities currently also enter into arrangements with foreign governments in a range of areas – from trade and economic cooperation to cultural collaboration and university research partnerships – without having to inform the Commonwealth.

Under the reforms, the Foreign Minister will have the power to review any existing and prospective arrangements between state and territory governments and all foreign governments.

Arrangements that adversely affect Australia’s foreign relations or are inconsistent with our foreign policy could be prevented from proceeding or terminated.

The laws will cover state or territory entities, including departments, agencies, local governments and universities established under state or territory law.

The Commonwealth Government has the policy expertise and comprehensive understanding of the risks and opportunities associated with any arrangements with foreign governments.

This legislation will support state and territory governments to ensure they are acting in a way that serves Australia’s national interests, is consistent with our values and aligned with our foreign policy objectives. This will give states and territories the confidence necessary to enter into arrangements with foreign government entities.

The Morrison Government looks forward to working closely with state and territory governments, councils and universities and providing all Australians with the certainty that all levels of government are aligned to ensure a consistent approach to managing Australia’s foreign relations.

ENDS

To understand why the PM's acting - albeit belatedly - you only need to read our report from almost two years ago, reprinted here.

The frightening extent of Victorian Labor's treachery couldn't be clearer.

Victorian Labor's "relentless efforts to cooperate with China"

Monday, 12 November 2018

An official statement from the Chinese Communist government - never repudiated or questioned by the Andrews/CFMEU/Labor government.

How should a civilised society respond when rioters tool up with weapons, shields and infantry-minor-tactics?

Like this.

From our mate Andrew Cooper.

From George Christensen.

In an unprecedented move against Chinese interference and the protection of state secrets, the use of external powers under the Constitution to direct state, territory and local governments on ­national security issues will effectively kill dozens of agreements with foreign governments and ­institutions.

The Foreign Relations Bill, which will be introduced to parliament next week, also extends to universities and captures any questionable agreements between Australian public institutions and foreign governments.

In a major flexing of its constitutional powers, the Morrison government will cast its net over all foreign relations agreements struck by lower tiers of government, amid fears that national security has been compromised by often secret deals between state governments and foreign powers.