There was a report prepared for the Pentagon a while back that said that climate change could be a bigger threat to security than terrorism - so why should Keetly disagree?

And there we were being told that freedom of speech is under threat.

Keelty is not the first person in the intell-international relations-defence-national security community to place climate change within the national security context. Dr Alan DuPont wrote a paper for the Lowy Insitute and Dr Anthony Bergin wrote a paper for the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Both academics are well-regarded among their peers. Both argued that climate change is a matter that ought to be considered in long-term strategic planning and they are concerned that the intelligence community are currently ill-equipped to make such assessements.

Climate change will have some considerable ramifications for all kinds of planning. Infrastructure in particular is one that comes to mind and changes in urban settlement, agriculture and industry are going to impact on defence/AFP planning such as recruitment and procurement. Any strategic analyst in any sphere should be anxious about the risks and opportunities that will come with climate change.

What is disturbing about Keelty's speech was the subtext.

"In their millions, people could begin to look for new land and they will cross oceans and borders to do it," he said.

"Existing cultural tensions may be exacerbated as large numbers of people undertake forced migration.

"The potential security issues are enormous and should not be underestimated." (Source ABC News Online)

Rather than presenting this as Australia's call to humanitarian interventions and assistance in the region for dislocated "eco-refugees" there is an implication that we are once again, the frightened country about to besieged by envious brown hordes. This is the kind of rhetoric that will only provide affirmation to those that are unsecure and fearful around persons with funny names and funny foods that look upon our blonde women with uncontrolled lust.

Climate change is *the* issue of the century but it may not be security issue of the century

Commissioner Keelty is probably right with his vision. It lines up very much like John's Revelation at the end of the Holy Bible. Everything points to mankind, in the massed hundreds of millions, turning back to Jesus Christ in the endtimes.

Interesting that Keelty has decided to introduce such a contentious subject into policing discussions just before an election.

If this causes problems for the Law and Order delivery of the present Government and plays into the hands of the LABOR climate change staffers then this may be Keelty's intention.

A cynic may say Keelty is working to keep his job if/when the Government changes to Labor or perhaps, as Nick says, Keelty is doing a good job looking out for future threats.

Probably a bit of both.

Pete

Navel Grazers, Keelty's statement have NOTHING to DO with ELECTIONS.

The elections make it difficult for everyone for their waste of money - properganda and dirty spin.

APATHY vs the people in status.

I have had problems with the General Peter Cosgrove's camp. There is a real need for leadership and sometimes the need to stay safe or not offend our AUSSIE PRIDE or ID (politcs) as a nation means we go overboard with the glorification of a few. Thats to get something out of the noise and spin.

I respect ALL who are working for the world to take "RESPONSIBLITY" right now.

Australians are "fair-go" bloody honest people and it is now that we must cut through to those leaders who attempt to speak out for us on the need to be mindful as individuals everywhere.

Politcs is about everyday life... our childrens and their childrens.

What do we say to those caught between war - conflict and poverty.

The inprint of our mental capacity impacts this moment and the next. I ask for once... Can We Make Ourselves each Count as Australians.

http://www.miacat.com/
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