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I do not like to just repost news on this blog without much analysis, but an article printed in today’s Age was too ridiculous to pass up. It described how the Rudd Government is set to build a US-style ’situation room’ – a central command centre from which parliment can direct national emergencies. I am dubious regarding the neccessity for this in a small country like Australia, but whatever, great. The only problem is that this thing is gonna cost $14 mil. This is pretty unneccessary spending considering the world financial situation (though technically Australia is not in a ‘recession’ because the Rudd stimulus package bailed out Australian consumers – a short term solution that involved the government giving approximately $900 to everyone in the country to go spend overseas or on foreign businesses. Because of the timing, my stimulus money ended up going to communist China during my holiday there. Thanks Rudd)
Now read the article.
Phillip Hudson
The Age
October 1st, 2009
PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd is building a $14 million White House-style ‘’situation room” next to the cabinet room in the heart of Parliament House.
The high-tech crisis centre has been approved by ASIO and will have secure videoconferencing facilities to allow direct communication across the nation and with diplomatic posts and foreign leaders.
The Howard government considered building such a room and the Rudd Government was urged to do so in a security review last year by senior public servant Ric Smith. It is expected to be operational by the middle of next year.
The room will be used for fighting terrorist and national security threats, and also to respond to natural disasters and other crises, which could include events such as the global financial crisis. [ed note: The first two, responding to terrorism or national security threats I could imagine, but realisticly, the extent to which the government would micromanage ASIO or other agencies during the heat of such emergencies would probably be limited. As for the third point, how can you, and why would you, respond to the global financial crisis from a command centre next to Parliament??]
The room may also be used for Mr Rudd to make secure video calls to world leaders such as US President Barack Obama. [note: The author already stated that it could be used to communicate with foreign leaders, why specifically mention Lord Obama here?? it's completely unneccessary. "Help me Obama! we are being terrorized and our economy has tanked!"]
It is understood Mr Rudd stepped up plans to build the room after feeling that more ”real-time information” was needed during the Victorian bushfires. [note: Great, so Rudd gets a live feed of bushfires. But what's he going to do with this information, do the firefighter's job for them and direct the firefight from his command room?? Ridiculous, not going to happen.]
At present, the cabinet room is used, but a report found it had ”limited capacity for ministers to communicate in real time with other decision makers” and lacked technological support.
The Government had considered building the crisis centre in a bunker cut deep into the rock under Parliament House, but decided to place it next to the cabinet room so ministers could simply walk through a secure door.
It will be just metres from the Prime Minister’s office.
The Government would not discuss who would be granted access, and whether handprints or security passes would be required.
ASIO has advised the Government that the room will not increase the threat profile of Parliament House.
In America, the White House Situation Room was established by president John Kennedy after the Bay of Pigs crisis in 1961. It is in the basement of the White House, and five watch teams constantly monitor international events. The soundproof conference room is packed with computers and communications equipment.
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