ABC AUSTRALIA, 26/09/2002 07:52:52
Aust's defence strategy to include South-East Asia
Defence Minister Robert Hill has given a strong warning that militant Islamic terrorist
networks pose a serious threat to South-East Asia. He says Australia's defence
strategy will be shifting to include more than just this region.
Transcript:
As we mentioned earlier, Robert Hill has given a speech which included his strongest
warning yet that militant Islamic terrorist networks pose a serious threat to
South-East Asia.
Senator Hill also made it clear that Australia's defence strategy will be shifting to
include more than just this region and as the defence priorities change, so does the
head of the defence department.
Dana Robertson reports.
DANA ROBERTSON: Robert Hill says the threat from militant Islam stretches across
the region –
SENATOR ROBERT HILL, DEFENCE MINISTER: It has become clear there's an arc
of Islamic influence, albeit on the margins of society, stretches across the region,
from Malaysia, and Singapore, across into the southern Philippines and Indonesia.
DANA ROBERTSON: ..and the threat's not unknown.
SENATOR ROBERT HILL: It's also clear that Jemaah Islamiah is central to this
threat, this organisation has links to Al Qaeda. It seeks to create a new Islamic State
in South-East Asia.
DANA ROBERTSON: But the Defence Minister says the upside, if there is one, of
increased terrorist risk is improved cooperation between South-East Asian nations.
SENATOR ROBERT HILL: The increased focus on terrorism has strengthened our
regional relationships and contributed to a stronger regional security community.
DANA ROBERTSON: The Minister belongs to the school of thought that the world
was forever changed by September 11, and that means a change in Australia's
defence focus.
Since the end of the Vietnam War domestic defence and South-East Asia have been
the priority, but no longer.
SENATOR ROBERT HILL: Defending Australia and its interests doesn't just mean
defending its coastline.
I suspect that in the years to come the ADF and war correspondents will continue to
find themselves turning up in unexpected places far from our shores.
DANA ROBERTSON: There's already been one casualty from the change in focus.
The head of the Defence Department, Allan Hawke, has been dumped, after just three
years in the job.
A scapegoat, some have claimed, for presiding over the children overboard affair. An
episode Dr Hawke suspected could be his undoing.
ALLAN HAWKE, FORMER HEAD OF THE DEFENCE DEPARTMENT: I offered my
resignation.
SENATOR: And the fact that you're still sitting here with the glorious title of secretary
suggests he declined. Is that right?
ALLAN HAWKE: That may be the case, it may be that he's still considering the
matter.
DANA ROBERTSON: Labor says yet another Defence boss has fallen victim to the
Government's failings and even some within the Coalition are asking questions.
ALBY SCHULTZ, LIBERAL BACKBENCHER: It does seem unusual to me. A fellow
that's been there for some time and been performing reasonably well.
DANA ROBERTSON: Dr Hawke will be replaced by Australia's current ambassador in
Indonesia, Ric Smith, who's talents, says the Minister, are better suited to the
changing Defence environment.
Dana Robertson, Lateline.
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26/09/2002 07:52:52 | ABC Radio Australia News
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