I’m not sure how widely it’s grasped what’s at stake in this confrontation between democracy and autocracy. If Russia seizes Ukraine, a new iron curtain will ring down in Europe.
What’s suddenly become shockingly apparent is that major war may not have been consigned to the dustbin of history.
The Australia-UK FTA isn’t just about old ties but offers instant benefits. And it shows that the other business of government has not been neglected entirely amid the pandemic.
If we could source retiring British and US nuclear submarines, we could have them refitted and operational in months, not years.
We have to assume China is preparing to take Taiwan, as Xi Jinping himself has said, by force if necessary.
If the ‘drums of war’ can be heard in our region, it’s not Australia that’s beating them. The only drums we beat are for justice and freedom.
Not since the convict era would Britons have regarded their lives as freer than life in Australia but that is how this pandemic has diminished us.
There are specific steps we can take to make our country stronger, our citizens freer, and government smaller and more accountable.
The church can contribute to a better world, but Catholic social teaching can’t solve contentious political issues.
Given that China is well into what’s probably the biggest military build-up in history, time is not on our side.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/tony-abbott/page/6