Micro-aggressions bigger threat than war to Labor
Australia is confronting a national security crisis. It is a monumental scandal that few are prepared to talk about, least of all defence chiefs. Professing no imminent threat, they conspicuously hide the state of readiness, because it could “damage national security”.
Indeed, national security has become a convenient camouflage for deception and incompetence. Like not telling government about a “classified” program, estimated at $50m, found by the National Audit Office to have cost $150m. Like the $423m Hunter Class frigate cost overrun, which the ANAO found was due to lack of focus during the tender process. Cumulative delays for major defence projects have blown out to more than 37 years.
In reality, Australia has become ever reliant on stretched and distracted allies. Its lack of readiness was exposed when Washington asked for a warship to be sent to the Red Sea. Canberra was forced to decline. Washington was unimpressed and Canberra may one day learn alliances impose mutual obligations.
Securing the nation from outside threats is one of the most solemn duties of government. But what Australian taxpayers get for $52bn looks more like a peacenik corps than a lethal military establishment.
In a recent announcement intended to convey substantially increased commitments to defence, the responsible minister, Richard Marles, announced a $330bn capital expenditure program for the next decade. It sounds impressive, but the majority of the increase comes at the end of the decade. In the meantime, the legacy of Australia’s reckless complacency stands exposed. At a time of heightened threats, Australian defence remains underequipped, under strength and poorly led.
Meanwhile training concentrates on everything but combat readiness. Better to have Defence Force Academy cadets wearing purple in support of “Wear it Purple Day”, an annual event to celebrate the LGBTIQA+ community.
Military dog handlers are now being retrained to limit “cultural sensitivity risks” when confronting enemy fighters or terrorists.
Trainees who believe they are experiencing bullying (like being shouted at by instructors) may seek confidential advice through the “Workplace Behaviour Adviser Network”. This hotline is yet to be tested during combat.
Defence is also enforcing diversity, equity and inclusion targets, favouring females in recruitment. Physical strength requirements have been lowered.
Leaders are chosen who support this gentler culture.
They in turn promote like-minded personnel.
Of course pursuing gender equity calls into question merit based promotion. It also influences readiness and emphasises differences along sexuality, gender and racial lines – the antithesis of cohesive fighting units.
It’s why Defence struggles to retain its warrior class. And it may explain why last year, the uniformed workforce contracted by 1161, leaving the ADF 4300 below its average funded strength. Defence is now looking to recruit non-citizens (otherwise known as mercenaries) to plug personnel shortages.
For presiding over this shambles, Defence Department secretary Greg Moriarty, formerly prime minister Malcolm Turnbull’s chief of staff, annually receives $1,006,474 and General Angus Campbell, $1,062,700. But who holds them to account? Even the ANAO can’t get dates for final operational capability of eight projects.
Soldier/statesman, Major General and Senator, the late Jim Molan, disagreed with Defence complacency. He believed “War is now more likely than at any point in the past 80 years”.
Perhaps Defence Minister Marles is beginning to share the late general’s view? If not he should.
News of the revised defence budget saw Beijing demand Australia “abandon the Cold War mentality”.
Meanwhile, there’s Taiwan. Beijing’s claims to Taiwan were dealt a blow in the January presidential election when, despite military threats intended to bully the Taiwanese into voting for a sympathetic candidate, the island elected a president who Beijing regards as a “dangerous separatist”.
Canberra, on the other hand, talks big, but like vassal states of old, tugs at the Chinese Emperor’s clothes in gratitude for trade beads while heeding Beijing’s demand, channelled through former prime minister Paul Keating, to sack ASIO boss Mike Burgess, for alleging China is spying on Australia. Burgess was immediately dumped from the National Security Committee of cabinet.
Perhaps the Albanese cabinet has decided when you have no means of defending yourself, becoming a Chinese colony is the next best option?