Security!

Praise the Lord we don't have squillions worth of oil or the like as security is looking a bit skee-wiff around these parts of late...

A Senate committee has heard the Royal Australian Navy is struggling with staff shortages, contract disputes and malfunctioning equipment.
The Navy is relying on other nations to provide rescue services* should one of its submarines falter.
Rear Admiral Boyd Robinson says safety is not being compromised.
"We've made arrangements for an overseas rescue vehicle under contract - it's in the UK," he said.
Rear Admiral Robinson assured the committee it can be mobilised quickly.
The contractual dispute, which has forced the navy to send some submariners to Canada for training, has also exacerbated a staffing shortage.
The navy needs 662 submariners, but it only has 429.
Liberal Senator David Johnston has criticised the situation.
"So we're at two thirds strength, on an objective assessment," he said.
The Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane, has conceded it is not an ideal situation.

Yeah. Not entirely 'ideal' seeing as all our borders are water.


Additionally, in WA our police minister has thought it a good idea to go without a counter terrorism unit providing security for our North West Shelf.
Hmph I say!
(that'll show 'em)



PS - It might also be noted that our poor WA police are surely feeling less secure as yesterday one was set alight and another knocked on the noggin with a replica pistol. (Plus, it would be nice if we had more of a police presence instead of them having to cut back their budget 3% - especially as people seem to be rather violently dropping off the perch around here lately.)





* Not always a good thing.