#ProtectWhatMatters
Making the case for Government action on Australia’s national security in an uncertain world
What is the threat?
For the last 80 years, Australia has been blessed with relative peace. Due to our alliance with the United States, we’ve been able to choose what, how and when our troops fight. This fighting has occurred far away, with relatively little impact on the rest of the nation.
But times have changed.
The US is no longer the superpower it once was. It is likely incapable of defending its own interests – let alone helping its allies. An ascendant, aggressive China is openly threatening violence in the Western Pacific (our backyard).
As an island nation, with a small and under-equipped Defence Force, heavily reliant upon imports via sea for our critical goods such as fuel, pharmaceuticals and fertiliser, Australia is highly vulnerable.
Australia’s next war will not just involve the ADF – it will involve and impact the entire nation. Therefore, the entire nation must prepare.
We must Protect What Matters.
What needs to be done: Prepare the Nation, Protect What Matters
- Create a comprehensive national security strategy
We must consider the preparedness and resilience of the whole country, not just Defence. A strategy will identify threats, confirm actions, and hold every Cabinet Minister responsible. - Address legacy problems with national security
Continue the work of the former Coalition Government in addressing legacy issues, such as specific legislation to empower security bodies and steps to counter foreign intelligence. - Develop plans to fight the China war
How can we prepare if we don’t outline how a likely future war might be fought? I believe this will likely be war between the US and China, with Australia as collateral. Others may disagree. What is important, is that Government develops an informed position on this to enable agencies to prepare.
What can you do?
