Scott Morrison backs war call as Malcolm Turnbull lashes out

Scott Morrison has backed a claim Australia should be prepared for war despite calls from Malcolm Turnbull for the government to tone down the rhetoric.

An extraordinary claim Australia should be prepared for war has been backed by Scott Morrison.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton marked Anzac Day by again comparing China and Russia to Nazi Germany before World War II.

“The only way you can preserve peace is to prepare for war and to be strong as a country,” Mr Dutton said.

“Not to cower or be on bended knee or be weak. That’s the reality.”

Speaking on Sydney radio, Mr Morrison said the comments were “important” but downplayed the risk of an imminent conflict.

Mr Morrison defended Mr Dutton’s comments. Picture: Jason Edwards

“What Peter was saying yesterday, I think, was important. Of course no one wants to see a war and no one believes that is about to happen,” Mr Morrison told 2GB on Tuesday.

“I want to reassure Australians about that. We prepare for these things to ensure stability and peace within our region.”

When pressed, Mr Morrison linked Australia’s preparedness for war with the government’s defence spend.

On Sunday, Mr Morrison declared he had drawn a “red line” in the Pacific amid concerns China could establish a base in Solomon Islands as part of a controversial security pact.

When asked how Australia would defend itself, Mr Morrison pointed to the AUKUS alliance with the US and UK.

But Mr Morrison’s predecessor Malcolm Turnbull didn’t hold back in his assessment of the government’s dialled up rhetoric.

“Peter Dutton’s rhetoric is becoming more and more bombastic and belligerent,” he told ABC’s RN.

“It’s just a pity that he doesn’t match it with actual preparation and work.

“It’s as though he wants to have a sensation – he thinks the object to him being the defence minister is having a sensational headline in a tabloid newspaper.”

Mr Turnbull, who was ousted by the Coalition in 2018, invoked Mr Morrison’s now infamous response to the black summer bushfire crisis in his criticism of the government’s handling of the issue.

Malcolm Turnbull lashed Peter Dutton’s comments. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

“I mean, the Pacific is not our backyard — it’s where we live, it’s our neighbourhood,” Mr Turnbull said.

“And so you have to use engagement, you have to use diplomacy, you have to be persuasive, you have to go and visit these countries, get to know these leaders, spend time with them.

“This is a hose you have to hold, to put it bluntly.”

Labor leader Anthony Albanese agreed, telling Perth’s 6PR radio the government’s chest beating meant nothing if Australia continued to ignore the Pacific on climate change.

“I think Malcolm Turnbull put it pretty well this morning,” he said.

“The truth is what’s happened in the Solomons is an absolute failure of foreign policy and that’s been recognised by Julie Bishop, by Malcolm Turnbull, and by other commentators and experts.”