Michael Pezzullo, the former secretary of the Department of Home Affairs who was sacked last year in controversial circumstances, has become a self-styled strategic man of action waiting in the wings.

In articles recently published by the government-funded Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Pezzullo presents a national security manifesto. He wants the US-Australia alliance to go on a war footing now, since conflict with China may be only 33 months away. He says Canberra needs a “war book” directing all national efforts to this martial endeavour.