Jonathan Lea

1 week ago | skynews.com.au | Jonathan Lea

A former Chief of Australia’s Army has questioned whether the US has, or is planning to store nuclear weapons in Australia – while also questioning how long it would be until American “places” become official US “bases” around the country.   Retired Lieutenant General Peter Leahy – who joined the service in 1971 and rose to become Chief between 2002 until 2008 - has told Sky News that he foresees Australia becoming an “operational base” for the US under AUKUS.

2 weeks ago | skynews.com.au | Jonathan Lea

Australia’s defence force is weaker than it was before East Timor, is under armoured and short of firepower according to stinging analysis by two of the nation’s leading defence experts. With the Prime Minister heading to the G7 in Canada, defence analyst Peter Jennings and Retired Chief of Army, Peter Leahy have both given their thoughts on the AFD and how it stacks up.

1 month ago | skynews.com.au | Jonathan Lea

The election may have been lost but the energy wars are far from over, with key members of the Coalition steeling themselves for a fight over nuclear power, insisting its credentials will become “even more compelling” by 2028.  Despite calls for the Coalition to dump the policy, Nationals leader David Littleproud has made clear to Sky News that his party won’t accept widespread renewables in the bush in order to achieve net-zero.

2 months ago | skynews.com.au | Jonathan Lea

Experts are warning Australians not to blindly trust political ads on their social media feeds, explaining that lying – while unethical - isn’t technically illegal when it comes to political campaigning.  “The reality is that it’s perfectly legal to lie in a political ad in Australia,” said Bill Browne from the Australia Institute which advocates more be done to hold parties to account for their attack campaigns.

Mar 18, 2025 | skynews.com.au | Jonathan Lea

‘Valhalla Café’ reads the bold blue and white sign above the kitchen serving area on the USS Minnesota. The adjacent walls and tables in the crew’s mess area are decorated with framed, high-resolution pictures of longships, Norse Gods and Vikings striding powerfully with weapons at the ready.  In the commanding officer’s state room an ornate axe is fixed to the wall. The emotive imagery is a reminder I’m told of how Vikings prioritised defence, land and their families.