Venue: Mosman Library
Date: 26 October 2005
Purpose: Promotion of the book Plunging Point – Intelligence Failures, Cover-Ups and Consequences

No, no, no, no, this has nothing to do with a low cut dress.

When you pick up the book go straight to the forward by Phillip Knightly. This gives a precis of what is inside. I would describe the book as a sort of history of intelligence, from an Australian perspective.

It comes complete with a ‘health warning’ that the intelligence fraternity is a club like the ‘Hotel California’—once you check in, you can never ever leave!

In the evening’s dialogue, one phrase that I heard far too often was “in the National Interest”.

This can and does mean absolutely anything; typically when used in every other sentence, as spoken by politicians!

To be fair to the authors, intelligence to them means the study of truth and reality which is in all our interest, be you friend or foe.

Question and answer time included the following popular topics and responses:

• Iraq – “An unjust war”
• Indonesia – “Difficult, diverse, ranging from the good to the out and out racketeer”
• Fear and more Fear – “It’s the weapon of choice when it comes to power”
• War on Terror – “Proposed Draconian New Powers are not at the instigation of our Intelligence Agencies”!

Conclusion: Lance Collins & Warren Reed are true blue.

Plunging Point – Intelligence Failures, Cover-Ups and Consequences is a worthwhile book that should be devoured by all concerned.

Mosman Library has a webcast of the event.