[War] Australia: Busy Day

[Daniel Sanderson]

“Busy Day”
Prime Minister Jack Decker
June 25 2014
Australia

The government fleet sedan pulled up, and Decker climbed out. His Chief of Staff, Lucas McAvoy, was waiting.

“Morning boss.”

“Lucas.” Decker said, rubbing his eyes and following Lucas into Parliament House.

“You look a little tired.”

Decker just shrugged it off. “I’m fine. What’s on for today?”

“You’ve got a meeting with Peter King.”

“On what?”

“Delays to our delivery of the F-35.”

“Again? We were meant to have those last year.” He sighed.

“They were experimental when we purchased them, there’s a few kinks. Our pilots are over there now learning them, so it’ll be within the next month or two. Hell, we’re not the only ones waiting, the Yanks, Brits, Italians, Turks…the list goes on.”

“Ok, after that?”

“Admiral Flynn is coming in to talk about Azerbaijan, where are forces will be, who is in charge, who they answer to, how they take part in the task force…”

“What is this, military day?” Decker asked with a chuckle.

“You then have to approve your next electorate newsletter.”

“Pictures of me with my arm around a sheep?”

“That was your electoral predecessor.” Lucas said with a grin.

“Following that?”

“You have an early lunch with some people planning the US-Canada trip, a few last minute details.”

“Last minute is right, it’s two weeks away.”

“After Question Time I think you should see some people from your old stomping ground.” Lucas said as they reached the Prime Minister’s office.

“Morning Carol.” Decker said with a smile, and then turned back to Lucas as they entered his inner office. “Why’s that?”

“Some Chinese-Canadian correspondence.” Lucas said neutrally. Decker turned.

“What the hell does that mean?”

Lucas waved his hands. “Woooooo.”

“Spooks?”

“Yeah, Defence Signals plucked something out of the air.”

“What did they say?”

“It appears that Canada has some issues with NAFTA. China is taking advantage of that.”

“Ok. Get a few bodies from DFAT, and Steve Costakis.” He said, referring to the Trade Minister. “And see if there’s someone at the Office of National Assessments who has some clue about this stuff.”

“You got it.”

“And I want to see Mary-Anne Finnigan after Question Time as well, she’s got an early draft on some legislation for the whole Centrelink mess.”

“Ok…”

“And you owe me twenty-four stubbies of Coopers Pale.”

Lucas let his notepad fall by his side. “Come on, are you serious?”

“A bet’s a bet, Lucas. Your mighty Pies were taken to town by the Catters.” For those who wouldn’t have known what they were talking about, it was Australian Rules football.

“Your Cats are starting to come back.” Lucas added. The Cats had struggled. After winning back to back Premierships in 2007 and 2008, they had had to go through a rebuilding phase, as their dual-premiership players retired.

“Damn right, go to love the father-son rule.”

“Something to be mindful of when you’re in the States, sir. The last time a PM visited he was a Queenslander, who thoughts rugby was football. Now they’re going to be more confused because you know which football is the REAL football.”

“Even then, they’ll just think I’m talking about soccer.” Decker said, clicking his tongue and shaking his head.

“So, next time we make it a longer trip, you sit down at Camp David and lay it out.”

“Always tell them it’s a lot like basketball but you use your feet?” Decker offered unhelpfully.

“Yeah, because that’s not confusing at all!” Lucas said sarcastically.

There was a knock on the door, and Carol entered. “Defence Minister King his here.”

“Thanks Carol. Could you track me down a cup of coffee, and something to nibble on? I only had toast for breakfast.”

Carol nodded, and walked out, as Peter King walked in. King was a fellow Victorian, from the Gellibrand electorate that included Williamstown, home to a significant component of the defence contractor Tenix, who were building the Canberra-class amphibious assault ships.

“And you, Minister King, owe me twenty bucks.”

“Should call the Tax Office on you.” Lucas muttered as he left the Prime Minister and Defence Minister alone.

“So, another delay on the JSF?” The PM asked as he waved King to a spare seat…


ACTIONS
1. Business as usual
2. Awareness raised about the Sino-Canadian correspondence
3. A further delay on the delivery of F-35 Lightning IIs to the Royal Australian Air Force
4. Reference to the PM’s trip to DC and Canada, taking place early July
5. Further references to projects and goals of the PM.
6. Further introduction to the PM, and his staff/ministers.




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