Both major parties say Australia faces its most demanding and dangerous international environment since World War II. Both want to do nothing about it.
There are glaring failures of policy in almost every area of our national life, none more glaring than the mismanagement of our international relations. One thing our two major parties agree on as they head towards the 2025 election is that one of the most pressing problems we face is the challenge to the established international order posed by China, Russia, and other powers. Both parties tell us that Australia today faces its most demanding and dangerous international environment since World War II. And they are both absolutely right about that.
Another thing the major parties agree on is to say nothing, and do nothing, about it.
Hugh WhiteContributorHugh White is the author of The China Choice and How To Defend Australia, and the Quarterly Essays Power Shift, Without America and Sleepwalk to War. He is emeritus professor of strategic studies at ANU.
