MEMO: Foreign Minister Marise Payne, cc Defence Minister Linda Reynolds.

Ministers, in a long life not always perfectly, although generally, well-lived, it’s been my observation those experiencing personal difficulties will often attempt to divert attention onto others.

Poet Rudyard Kipling nailed it when he wrote: “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you.”

Having dealt with soldiers since before you were born, I’ll be bold enough to venture some opinions which may conflict with what you have been fed.