"The question therefore needs to be asked: how will Jakarta respond to a Cosgrove appointment? In an article on the ABC website, John Menadue argues that Cosgrove could indeed be a further provocation. “Discretion suggests that the Abbott Government should not worsen the situation by appointing a former military opponent of Indonesia as our next governor general"
Personally I believe that we have allowed Indonesia to bully us or try to for too long and it is time to hit back.
Abbott is doing that in more ways than one.
General Cosgrove is good for the job.
Indonesia is threatening our shores and our navel presence.
Now is the time for confrontation.
A war with Indonesia would last about three days with Australia coming out on top with no or very little causalities.
I say "BRING IT ON"

>>A war with Indonesia would last about three days with Australia coming out on top with no or very little causalities.
I say "BRING IT ON">>

Really?

Well for now that's probably true.

By 2020?

See:

How Indonesia will control Australian migration

http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2014/1/24/politics/how-indonesia-will-control-australian-migration

Indonesia is buying 180 Sukhoi's including the Su 35S. I think they'll outclass the F35 lightening II and give Indonesia air dominance in the north.

The Indonesians are also purchasing a dozen missile firing submarines. That should ensure sea dominance.

In fact Indonesia seems intent on a rapid arms buildup.

Indonesia has 11 times our population. It's economy is still a smaller but has been growing rapidly of late.

The era of Australia calling the shots in this region may be drawing to a close.

>A war with Indonesia would last about three days with Australia coming out on top with no or very little causalities.
Something tells me this is a highly unlikely outcome. their army has 20 million soldiers for a start. Australia would lose this conflict before WPH&S has added its two cents worth. PC too would take too much time. I think it would all be over for Australia before they got the first safety check out of the way.

Hehehe! Indy.
Have you got a signed JSA and Hot Work Certificate to use that Rocket Launcher ;~)

They said the Iraqi war was going to be over in a week?

Maybe we could shock and awe them with paper work, they'd run a mile :~)

As a nearly 80 year old former soldier of more than one army and with bags of experience, I give gratis the following advice;
either arm and train the citizeny on the Swiss model or learn Indonesian and make it a compulsory subject in schools.

It might also help to convert to Islam, but, at the very least, get a good edition of the Qur'an.

I agree.
I too think we would not beat Indonesia in a war, mainly due to their huge population.

Cosgrove will have no power as a Governor General though and I'm sure the Indonesians know that.

Of far more provocation is this Government sending its navy to turn back the refugee boats. Surely they could have found others to do the job?

We will annoy our nearest neighbours at our own peril...