The Australian government’s decision to curtail the Inland Rail Project was politically brave. Governments rarely walk away from troubled megaprojects once billions have been spent and expectations have hardened. Yet the real issue sits well …
Articles by: "John Coyne"
Strategic competition now extends far beyond military capability and economic strength. Liberal democracies therefore have a strategic interest in cultivating a confident civic patriotism that strengthens social cohesion, reinforces institutional legitimacy and supports national resilience. …
The Northern Territory still struggles to convert opportunity into sustained economic growth because workforce shortages, weak enabling infrastructure and slow approvals continue to choke investment. With the May budgets in Darwin and Canberra fast approaching, …
Washington and Manila have moved from intent to design, announcing plans for a 4,000-acre (16 square km) economic security zone to anchor allied supply chains in the Philippines. That move should inspire Australia’s approach to …
Northern Australia will decide whether Australia will sustain combat power where it matters most or fail to do so before tempo can be maintained. Policy has settled on the importance of geography. Execution will determine …
We no longer face a knowledge problem on critical minerals. We face a coordination failure, and the cost of that failure is already visible in delayed investment and persistent dependence. Governments understand the risk. Industry …
Northern Territory growth has stabilised, but its foundations remain weak, and that should concern anyone serious about Australia’s defence posture. The Darwin Major Business Group’s latest Over the Horizon 2026 report shows a territory economy …
Strategic geography creates opportunity. It does not create industry. Northern Australia now faces a simple test: can the Northern Territory turn its position at the edge of the Indo-Pacific into real industrial capability? The Northern …
Commentators often inaccurately describe the frameworks governing US military presence in Australia. Debate frequently centres on sovereignty, with claims that deeper US access or infrastructure investment risks eroding Australian control. That framing overlooks the structured …
Australians are watching fuel prices and wondering how bad this could get. Donald Trump’s comments on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday delivered a blunt message: Don’t assume the United States will carry …
Fuel crises expose a hard truth: systems fail when governments ration for comfort instead of economic capability. Australia faces that test as disruption in the Strait of Hormuz constrains global energy flows and highlights a …
Governments say they want diversified critical minerals supply chains. Yet many regulatory systems still require a decade or more to move new mines from discovery to production. Getting a processing plant going is similarly protracted. …