Daily Global Diary — On a cold night in 2010, at a New South Wales military base, a young Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) airwoman found herself cornered by a drunken senior corporal wielding a machete. That woman, now revealed as Julia Delaforce, was sexually harassed at knifepoint. But what followed was perhaps even more harrowing—she was ordered to drive her attacker home.

Fifteen years later, Delaforce is breaking her silence. And the truth she carries is deeply unsettling.

Appearing on 60 Minutes and 9Fairfax this weekend, Delaforce shared the traumatic events that shattered her career and personal life—and the systematic cover-up that allegedly shielded her abuser while silencing her.

“For fifteen years I was silent,” said Delaforce. “I asked for help so many times: from inside the ADF, to multiple Defence Ministers, and even to the Prime Minister. Yet instead of the corporal who sexually harassed me being punished, I was the one punished.”

A Silenced Voice, A Broken System

At just 22 years old, Julia Delaforce experienced what no one in uniform should—violence from within. According to her statement, the attack was not an isolated incident. It was a symptom of a broader cultural rot within the Australian Defence Force (ADF)—an institution often accused of ignoring or burying misconduct, especially against women.

Following her internal complaint and a submission to the Australian Human Rights Commission, Julia’s testimony helped trigger the landmark Inquiry into the Treatment of Women in the ADF. But due to a confidential out-of-court settlement in 2013, she was silenced—legally barred from speaking publicly or testifying at royal commissions and inquiries.

The toll? Her career, her health, and her voice.

“I couldn’t speak about the abuse and cover-up in the ADF which led me to losing my career and suffering complex PTSD,” she said.

A Voice Regained Through Human Rights Law Centre

Now, thanks to support from the Human Rights Law Centre and its Whistleblower Project, Julia has finally reclaimed her narrative. Represented by senior lawyer Regina Featherstone, Delaforce has spoken out not just for herself, but for the many silenced victims within Australia’s armed forces.

Featherstone did not mince words:
“Women who speak up about sexual abuse, harassment and wrongdoing should be supported, and the wrongdoing should be addressed. Instead, they lose their careers and are often silenced.”

Featherstone added that this case underscores the urgent need for reform: “This important public interest journalism shows the systemic abuse and mistreatment of women in the ADF. The Albanese Government must fix Australia’s broken whistleblowing laws and implement a federal Whistleblower Protection Authority to ensure women can speak out against wrongdoing.”

A Call for Justice, and Reform

Australia’s current whistleblower protection laws—some of which date back to 1994—have long been criticized for being vague, under-enforced, and deeply flawed. According to legal experts and human rights groups, there is no independent body dedicated to protecting whistleblowers, unlike in other democratic nations.

Delaforce’s story is not unique. Numerous veterans, including other female service members, have accused the ADF of retaliation, victim-blaming, and procedural cover-ups in cases involving military sexual trauma (MST).

According to internal Defence documents reviewed by independent journalists, fewer than 1 in 10 sexual harassment allegations within the ADF result in disciplinary action against the perpetrator. And even fewer make it to a courtroom.

“She Dared to Speak”

Julia Delaforce is now being hailed as one of the few brave voices willing to defy a legal gag order and speak on behalf of silenced victims.

Her courage is also sparking growing political pressure. Prominent civil rights organisations and advocacy groups are calling on the Anthony Albanese government to create a Federal Whistleblower Protection Authority with real power—one that can support whistleblowers like Julia, and prosecute those who retaliate against them.

Delaforce’s public statement closes with a bittersweet sense of empowerment:
“The Human Rights Law Centre helped me get my voice back.”

Now, the question is whether Australia will listen.

In a moment hailed by supporters and condemned by critics, Donald Trump has signed into law what he called his “big, beautiful bill” — a legislative package that doesn’t just check off his long-standing Make America Great Again (MAGA) pledges, but rewrites America’s future in dramatic and controversial ways.

The legislation touches on nearly every major political flashpoint — from immigration crackdowns to energy reforms and tax policies — sparking fierce debate about who truly benefits from this sweeping overhaul of domestic policy.

As Trump celebrated the bill’s passage at a rally in Iowa, dancing in front of a giant American flag, the symbolism was as loud as the politics: this wasn’t just about passing a law — it was about reshaping a nation.

Here are the three biggest ways Trump’s America 2.0 is already taking shape.

1. A Land of Less Hope: America’s Immigration Overhaul

For decades, the United States was seen as a beacon for migrants seeking better lives. With an estimated 8 million undocumented immigrants in the US workforce — many of them contributing to industries like agriculture and construction — prior administrations had opted for tolerance and sanctuary policies.

But Trump’s legislation changes all of that.

It injects more than $100 billion into enforcement, doubling detention center capacity, reviving construction on the Mexican border wall, and deploying thousands of new border agents. The era of sanctuary cities is effectively over.

In an unprecedented move, the bill introduces steep financial barriers to legal migration. Asylum seekers will now face minimum fees of $100 just to apply, while those seeking humanitarian protection must pay $1,000. Even work permits will cost $550 or more.

These measures reflect a brutal calculation: make migration harder, less appealing, and more expensive. Yet, there’s a twist. Trump has hinted at a potential exception for undocumented farm workers — if their employers vouch for them, some may stay. It’s a nod to practicality in an otherwise hardline policy shift.

Critics argue the bill strips the U.S. of its historic identity as a “land of hope.” Supporters, however, see it as a long-overdue tightening of a broken system.

2. Fossil Fuels Over the Future: Climate Takes a Backseat

Environmentalists may breathe a sigh of relief that the bill didn’t include a new tax on solar and wind projects, but they’re not celebrating.

The bill slashes clean energy tax credits — key incentives for electric vehicles, solar energy, and eco-friendly homes introduced under former President Joe Biden. Instead, Trump is doubling down on his energy mantra: “Drill, baby, drill.”

The new law simplifies leasing public lands for oil and gas drilling, cuts royalty payments for fossil fuel producers, and lifts restrictions on mining operations. In other words, coal is back — and so is the pollution.

According to a Princeton University study, the bill could add 470 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually by 2035 — more than Australia’s entire yearly output.

Donald Trump has long been vocal in his opposition to renewables. He’s called solar farms “ugly as hell” and wind turbines “bird-killers” that “destroy the place.” Now, those sentiments are no longer rhetoric — they’re national policy.

3. Widening the Wealth Gap: Tax Cuts, Medicaid Slashes, and Social Strain

At the heart of Trump’s bill is a tax reform package that he’s calling the “largest tax cut in U.S. history.” But while it keeps his 2017 tax cuts permanent, most of the benefits tilt toward the wealthiest Americans.

The bill is projected to cost $4.5 trillion over ten years. To offset this, Trump’s administration is pulling the plug on parts of the country’s already-thin social safety net.

About 12 million Americans are expected to lose Medicaid coverage, according to the Congressional Budget Office, saving the government $1 trillion. Additionally, funding for food stamp programs — lifelines for low-income families — will be slashed.

In return, there are minor benefits: tip-based workers will no longer be taxed on their tips, certain senior citizens and parents will receive tax credits, and — in a quirky twist — Alaskan whaling captains will get special tax exemptions, thanks to a Republican holdout senator from the state.

Still, the overall impact? Richer Americans gain, and the poor are told to work harder or get less. As one analyst put it, “Trump’s bill cements a future where the rich get richer — and the rest fend for themselves.”

Musk’s Fury and Republican Fallout

Interestingly, Elon Musk, once seen as aligned with Trump’s free-market ideology, took to X (formerly Twitter) to unleash a storm of criticism. “You’ve created a monster,” read one of his cryptic posts, referencing the economic burden on innovation and clean tech.

The tension between Trump and his billionaire backers could grow — but for now, Trump is focused on legacy. With one stroke of a pen, he may have done more to remake America than any president since Ronald Reagan.

But as the dust settles, the question lingers: at what cost?

In a striking moment of political honesty and recalibration, Sussan Ley—newly appointed leader of the Liberal Party of Australia—stood before the National Press Club and didn’t mince words. “We got smashed,” she admitted, referencing the party’s crushing defeat in the federal election.

But Ley isn’t dwelling on the past—she’s signaling a seismic shift in tone, leadership, and direction.

This was no ordinary press club speech. It was the first such address by a Liberal leader in years, following a conspicuous absence under Peter Dutton. Opening with an acknowledgement of country and a vow to honour public service, Ley made clear: “The old way is over.

Let me send the clearest possible message: We need to do better, recruit better, retain better and support better, she declared, referring to the party’s underwhelming representation of women in Parliament—an issue long simmering beneath the surface.

Ley said she is “agnostic” about how the gender balance is achieved—whether through quotas or other measures—but she’s a “zealot” for ensuring it does happen. Her warning to underperforming state divisions was blunt: improve or face consequences.

Energy, Emissions and a New Coalition Compass

One of the most controversial topics now gripping the Coalition is climate policy, and Sussan Ley is not shying away from the storm.

To tackle the party’s fractured approach to net zero emissions, Ley announced the formation of a working group led by Dan Tehan, alongside figures like Ted O’Brien, Susan McDonald, Angie Bell, Alex Hawke, Dean Smith, and Andrew Willcox.

Their mission? To forge a policy that supports a “stable, affordable energy grid” while ensuring Australia contributes to global emission reduction goals.

The group’s findings will report directly to Ley and Nationals leader David Littleproud. The pressure is high—especially given public fractures between the Liberals and Nationals on nuclear power and climate targets.

A New Tone: Modern Australia, Modern Liberalism

Ley’s tone throughout was both personal and political. Drawing from her own past at the Australian Tax Office, she emphasized her respect for the public service—a subtle rejection of the Coalition’s failed promise to slash public sector jobs during the campaign.

That is part of my story too, she said. Economic management must be responsible, practical and always focused on delivering value to the taxpayer.

Another stark contrast with past leadership: Ley’s embrace of inclusivity and modernity. From acknowledging First Nations peoples to directly addressing the failures of past campaigns, she’s signalling a new era.

Policy Priorities: Defence, Safety, and Tech Accountability

While much of the party’s policy platform is under review, Ley made clear some immediate priorities:

• Defence spending must rise—potentially to 3.5% of GDP—aligning with U.S. expectations and tackling rising global instability.
• Family violence and child safety are top-tier concerns. Ley delivered an emotional plea: “I understand the pain that comes with coercion and control because I have felt that pain too.”
  She promised not to let the issue “fall down the list of priorities.”
• On technology, she blasted big tech companies for “peddling addictive technology” to children and warned about the growing threats posed by deepfakes and AI tools.

Looking to 2028: “Judge Me by the Next Election, Not Today’s Headlines”

Perhaps the most telling moment of her address came when Ley asked to be judged not by polls, nor media narratives, but by the outcome of the next federal election in 2028.

With her leadership having only narrowly edged out a challenge from Angus Taylor, Ley’s long-term vision may be the party’s best shot at a full-scale comeback.

As we seek to regain trust with all voters… the task before me is to lead a Liberal Party that respects, reflects and represents modern Australia, she concluded.

Whether her candid tone and structural reforms will resonate across the party—and more importantly, with the Australian electorate—remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the old Liberal script has been tossed. And Sussan Ley is writing a new one.