🧵 They went into a war zone to report what was going on to the outside world.
An invasion force had formed and what was to be a brutal occupying power wanted no news to get out …
Five Australian newsmen were murdered doing there job.
Within weeks a sixth was murdered …
Brian Raymond Peters, Gary James Cunningham, Malcolm Harvie Rennie, Gregory John Shackleton and Anthony John Stewart, collectively now known as “the Balibó Five” A sixth Australian journalist who was trying to locate them Roger East was also murdered by the Indonesians.
In attempting to gain some limited protection Shackleton painted an Australian flag on a small building. Not unlike a blue flak jacket or helmet of today ordained with the word press. They were murdered in cold blood in this building.
Months after the Brisbane Floods in '74 that overwhelmed the State response Whitlam set up National Disasters Organisation - NDO (Foresight)
When Tracey hit Darwin on Christmas Eve 74 he appointed the NDO head ... #auspol 1-
MAJGEN Stretton to lead the response. (Direction )
A civil response with ADF and others in support, Retired MAJGEN Stretton (in civvies) reported directly to the PM (Clear Chain of Command)
Stretton arrived in Darwin next day (Urgency) 2-
As Darwin could not support itself after the devastation of the Cyclone, the huge call was made to evacuate the City (Decisiveness)
The ADF was recalled from Christmas leave and effectively the entire RAAF transport fleet deployed. (Clear Priorities) 3-
In 40 yrs in the ADF as a military officer, commander & strategic planner I had the duty of briefing a wide range of politicians across the political divide. Mostly those to the Govt of the day. And at the direction of the Govt:the Opposition
Those duties also included at times accompanying politicians (with a Service Chief) to overseas operations, writing briefs for #qt accompanying the Chief to Senate Estimates, preparing cabinet submissions and taking the calls of ‘staffers’
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The ADF is by convention absolutely apolitical. It serves the nation via the Government. (My simplified definition)
The ADF (&Defence) prepare ‘options’ for the Government and remain prepared for a wide range of contingencies
We knew it would be bad. It’s been a body blow that has literally floored some of us. Some have admitted themselves to care. Partners don’t know what to say to their loved ones. We are as family, close. It’s as if a family member has committed a murder.
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Many will give opinions of how we got to here. Of how the process now plays out. How reforms will be made. And ask how and why. The experts and others will write articles and papers. Will the shame a nation feels fall at the feet of diggers alone? So many questions. 2
Here is what I know about veterans & soldiers, sailors and airmen and women. And their families. Based on 40 years in service and 7 years out. They are our sons and daughters. Our Mums and Dads. Nieces and nephews and grandparents. Brothers and sisters. Friends & neighbours. 3