China

[ElwoodBlues1]

Wouldn't it be good if previous federal governments had clearly identified what our defence needs are, the equipment needed to fulfil those needs, the time frames for its supply, the expenditure needed and how it will be paid for.

Instead, senior Defence personnel cannot agree on whether we need to prepare for a long-range war, such as supporting the USA in defending Taiwan if it is attacked by China, or prepare for our own defence and that of  nearby neighbours.

I watched an interview a few days ago where one of our most senior navy commanders would not have a bar of ordering an interim sub before the delivery of the first nuclear sub somewhere in the 2040s.  Given the rapidly changing global situation I thought he was delusional.

Despite numerous White Papers over several decades identifying what Australia should do for its own protection, we have managed to waste billions of dollars on equipment not fit for purpose.

With no clear path forward we are virtually defenceless.  China could collapse our economy within a matter of a few weeks without firing a shot in anger.  We are supposed to have a minimum 90 day oil reserve but only a few days of that reserve is in Australia at any time: the rest is held in the USA because it is cheaper to store there!

Just the threat of sinking oil tankers crossing the Pacific to Australia would cause them to be uninsurable and there goes our oil reserve.

I just see more years ahead where the powers that be will continue to dither and leave us completely unprepared to defend ourselves.

Dont disagree, I dont rate the Morrison years as great for defense planning and my expectations of Labor are similar so I expect the same reliance on the USA and as a standalone nation we are as you say defenceless.
Also agree we have wasted money on poor choice equipment, the Fench sub deal as Mav suggests and its been a balls up because most including the public think it doesnt matter because our friends in the USA will come to our rescue anyway.

re: Mavs question on blowouts, no I dont expect Labor to increase defense spending and my budget blowout issues are with the Victorian State Government. I didnt vote for either major party so I'm not sitting in judgement on Albo and crew yet  who have only been in Government 5 minutes and who probably dont see it as a priority and will pursue the diplomatic route as their form of defense. Australia has a massive national debt due to Covid and will also have issues retaining its AAA credit rating so I dont think anyone expects money to be plucked out of thin air for extra defense spending.