'In six years, we’ve suffered three major trade and supply chain interruptions – the COVID cut-off, Chinese government trade coercion and irrational US tariff attacks – and learnt nothing. [Prof] Rory Medcalf ... calls it “preparedness amnesia”.

'People’s definition of successful national security? “The continuity of normal life,” says Medcalf.

'Australia sailed gormlessly into today’s global crisis with fewer days’ fuel supply than any of the 32 member countries of the International Energy Agency. Australian oil stocks at the end of last year were enough for 49 days, according to IEA statistics. Second least prepared was New Zealand with 88. More realistic island nations’ reserves range from Britain’s 124 days to Japan’s 208.

'If Australians have to stay home and go hungry, will the government really tell us to be thankful for the $20 billion [it would cost to grow liquid fuel reserves to 3 months but which] we’ve saved from a federal budget of $800 billion, even if it inflicts major damage to our $2 trillion economic output? This is the definition of penny wise, pound foolish.

'Given that we are a country of fewer than 30 million people occupying a whole continent, far from our sources of prosperity and security, there is no alternative to the US alliance that wouldn’t be prohibitively expensive and highly risky.

'We can be completely subjugated through naval and economic means, with no agency for our country. I’m pushing for industrialisation to give us agency and freedom of action'.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/australia-is-vulnerable-that-s-not-in-doubt-can-our-leaders-keep-us-secure-we-re-about-to-find-out-20260403-p5zl5b.html