Australia had a few aircraft carriers back in WWII. There was a HMAS Melbourne, not sure if it is still commissioned or not. the Melbourne did carry the A-4 skyhawk and seaking helos. If Australia is planning to purchase the JSF, it would be a great idea to have an aircraft carrier. It can support the US Navy, British Navy, or other allies in any sea control missions or the littoral missions
HMAS Melbourne was decommissioned in the early 80's (82 or 93 I think). I would like to have a carrier capability for RAN, but I really don't think our budget or ability to man such a vessel, short of introducing national service (ie: conscription) is up to the task.
An F-35B capability aboard the planned LHD's might be a possibility, but it will need to be closely looked at.
We already have a MASSIVE re-equipment program underway at present (in excess of $50 billion worth of projects) and I don't see extra money coming for such a "nice to have" capability...
RAN's at sea air defence capability will be greatly enhanced with the arrival of the AWD Destroyers, and it's OTH targetting capability will be enhanced with new generation Naval Helo's (likely to be NH-90 based) and probably UAV capabilities carried aboard major surface combatants.
These will provide quantum leaps in capability over the extant level of capability operated by RAN. It will probably have to suffice anyway...
