‘Australian Values’ is a common phrase in our public lexicon - particularly for politicians of all persuasions, but I am embarrassed to admit that while I intuitively understood what this means I was I did not possess a solid grasp on what underpinned this sweeping reference. I suspect that others may be the same. Having a closer look; I am confident that we are well off the mark in how we approach such a fundamental aspect of Australian culture.  My personal experience in th

Occasional Address for the Australian Defence Force Academy graduation, 2021 Dignitaries, staff, friends and family, graduates; it gives me great pleasure to address you this afternoon.   In obvious but potentially unconventional fashion, I would like to start with three obligatory cliches: Firstly; no doubt a significant reason that I was asked to address you today is that it is indeed 20 years since I stood in your shoes. What you cannot see but can hopefully sense is that