WHATEVER the Chinese government might feel about the new Defence white paper, Canberrans should be dancing in the streets.

The new spending over an extended period will provide a major contribution to our economic future. Extensions to Harman and the 1200 new jobs in areas from cyber warfare to engineering and diplomacy are just the tip of the submarine conning tower. Military recruitment and training, for example, will give a strong boost to our service and educational facilities.

WHILE the paper has been two years in the making – and has been rewritten a dozen times – it represents a big win for the little-known, semi-government think tank, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) whose director Peter Jennings worked very closely with the Defence Department in its development.

And while Beijing said it was “dissatisfied” with suggestions that Australia opposed its actions in the South China Sea, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and our top brass briefed the Chinese leadership and kept the protests decidedly low key.

PM Malcolm Turnbull’s announcement – with the impressively articulate Defence Minister Marise Payne – had the political virtue of cutting through the seemingly endless tax debate. Perhaps Turnbull has learned the lesson that before you start a “conversation” it’s a good idea to have something to say.

CLOSER to home the defence announcement will have gladdened the hearts of the Barr Government’s light rail proponents. The planned extension to Russell Hill will eventually make the tram a more viable economic proposition and will encourage the Feds to make an even bigger contribution to our public transport infrastructure.

REGULAR readers will recall that last week we reported Opposition Leader Bill Shorten was undecided whether to oppose sensible government proposals to end the “gaming” of the Senate voting system by the micro-parties.

“Let’s hope [they] have the integrity to resist,” we said. Alas, despite strong pressure in the party he ran true to form. Labor will oppose the measures, which will pass the Senate anyway.

THE proposed $800 million redevelopment of the Manuka Oval and village came under fire this week from the usual suspects – Emeritus Professor Ken Taylor who seems to believe that almost any new development is a blot on the pristine landscape of yesteryear; and “The Canberra Times” oracle-at-large Jack Waterford who not only divined murky financial undertones – without producing a tittle of evidence – but scorned the conscientious public servants who will oversee the development. Sad.

ANOTHER positive suggestion from outgoing ABC managing director Mark Scott for a “friendly merger” with SBS. “By coming together, SBS and the ABC could still offer distinct brands under separate charters,” he told the Press Club.

“But it could be done without an entire separate back office, stand-alone buildings, studios and technology, legal, finance, HR and corporate divisions – or separate boards. We could spend more of the funding serving audiences.”

MORE happy news – Alan Alda, the much beloved Hawkeye Pierce of “M.A.S.H.”, who has become a leader in science communication, has joined with the ANU and will give a series of public lectures in Canberra next month. Unfortunately, they’re already sold out. Surely we should be able to find a bigger venue… the Convention Centre… Manuka Oval?

robert@robertmacklin.com