NAOMI WOODLEY: The Opposition is feeling its way in the new political paradigm as much as the new members of the Federal Government. 

Much of the recent attention has focused on Australia's first woman Defence Minister Marise Payne. 

MARISE PAYNE: All I ask is that I'm judged on my performance, not on my gender. 

NAOMI WOODLEY: In her first media appearance in the new job, Senator Payne wouldn't be drawn on policy detail or potential changes in strategic priorities. 

But she did outline in her words her 'absolute passion' for defence. 

MARISE PAYNE: I am the daughter of a World War II veteran, an enlisted soldier from Burrawang in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. I could not be prouder to stand here today in that capacity if no other. 

My father was my inspiration, he fought for this nation in New Guinea, in Noumea and he came back to Australia after World War II, so proud of what this nation could achieve on the international stage. 

NAOMI WOODLEY: Senator Payne says visiting Indonesia will be a priority for her, and while there has been something of a revolving door at Defence in recent years, she says she's in it for the long haul.

PETER LLOYD: Naomi Woodley reporting.

read more: http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2015/s4317534.htm

Yes Gus,

Notwithstanding the cheap shots from Kevin Andrews this past week, during his surprise visit to Iraq, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull flagged the possibility of further Australian involvement in the campaign to defeat ISIS.

What better opportunity for Tony Abbott, Kevin Andrews & the rest of the flag waving, knuckle-dragging armchair generals from Team Australia to “step up” & demonstrate the real genius of their military prowess?

Australia might be enamoured with Malcolm Turnbull's charm but his indecisive stance on war does nothing to assuage his nation's insecurity and may awaken the "Monkey Pod" stirring within his own party,​ writes David Tyler.

A MAN IN LOVE with himself may have no rival, but it doesn't stop him seeking approval.

Our emotionally needy, political parvenu PM's own self-promotion and arrogance has cost him undying enmity in his own party. Yet he's conned the public.

Revered simply for not being Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull is a people's messiah. So far. Perhaps that's why he is such a wanton in Washington. It's his endless quest for love. He cannot trust the public crush on him.

A stage-struck Turnbull is so taken with his U.S. reception that he goes "Monkey Pod" himself — insanely reckless in praise of brute force and ignorance. His U.S. foreign policy salute is so embarrassingly overboard that listeners wonder what's next. A rap for Vlad Putin's gift to world peace?

To be fair, someone important is listening to Mal, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a leading think tank whose Facebook page asks:'This Sunday marks 25 years of America bombing Iraq. What has it achieved?'

Has Turnbull researched his audience? A CSIS do is no ordinary wank fest. He appears unsure. Like Jay Gatsby, he has to flash a pedigree to win acceptance. He reaches for the classics, like every futurologist.

Our love-hungry stray from Down Under is desperate to impress overseas. He hefts his Thucydides. He shares a bit about how when nations see a new head, they rush to kick it. He winces. Abbott 's "Monkey Pod" does him over regularly.

MT's message is "lay off China". For Thucydides, self-control is key to self-respect; self-respect is vital to courage. Our PM may struggle with some of this but too much of the little Aussie China plate, will upset Washington. Turners quickly goes red, white and blue in the face in rapturous praise of U.S. "boots on the ground". Who needs Bolivian marching powder?

read more: https://independentaustralia.net/article-display/boots-on-the-ground,8608