Defence reviews just a smokescreen for neglect and failure

Defence reviews just a smokescreen for neglect and failure

Defence expert Marcus Hellyer provides a comprehensive account of Australia’s deficiencies in national security and a commentary on the hollow arguments trotted out by the current government to justify its inaction and rejection of the call from our closest ally (“No hiding the gap between rhetoric and reality on spending”, 16/6). It is hard to avoid the conclusion that successive reviews of defence and strategic needs have been anything other than smokescreens for this neglect.

It is even feasible to suspect that the leaders of this current government are defaulting to the anti-Americanism of their student days in provoking an end to the US alliance, which could then be blamed on Donald Trump. Hellyer points to the back-ended increases in defence funding and the substitution of quite modest outlays on AUKUS for the acquisition of guided missiles and current outlays on weaponry prescribed in the landmark 2023 Defence Strategic Review. Among the hollow arguments that he exposes is the ludicrous notion of a “focused force”, which presumes that any hostile threat would be an exact fit for whatever this nation had prepared to meet it. His suggestions of reducing energy subsidies and limiting social spending, in order to fund a dramatic increase in defence spending, would be anathema for this government.

John Morrissey, Hawthorn, Vic

If the US does not proceed with the AUKUS deal in its entirety because it’s worried about its own attack capacity, why can’t Australia propose we obtain one nuclear sub from America (we’ve already provided a deposit) and contract other suppliers like South Korea, France and the UK to supply us with one each, depending on cost and delivery time frame? That way we don’t have all our eggs in one basket but spread the risk and stand to obtain strike force capability much sooner than the decades proposed under AUKUS, which was always a major drawback of the deal. Having no Plan B is not good strategic policy.

Lyn Katschke, Tintenbar, NSW

AUKUS gives us absolutely no protection from enemy attack over the next 20 years or more. It leaves us dependent on the US for protection. Where are we if China attacks Taiwan in the next few years with little warning? Most Australian politicians and citizens must think we are safe because we have been safe for so many years. The best we can do is for our PM to immediately buy some off-the-shelf nuclear subs from Japan, France or the UK along with long-range nuclear missiles. When patrolling the Indian Ocean our submarines will then at least offer us some retaliation under our control.

John Langrehr, Leabrook, SA

Technology’s time

The Australian’s Greg Brown is right. As far back as the 1990s, a construction industry initiative to combine the intelligence and expertise of a government department and the private sector resulted in multibillion-dollar opportunities, some realised despite a conservative government reticence to act in new ways (“AI will be jobs-positive for workers, says Ayres,” 16/6). Productivity is absolutely dependent on government practices and facilitation as well as private initiative. Australia will progress if the two share their expertise and work together in modern technology, networking and AI.

Darian Hiles, Adelaide, SA

Newsom to blame

When a highly experienced and intelligent editor and journalist like Chris Mitchell puts something into print, any sensible reader should stand up and take notice. After many years in the media, Mitchell has no barrow to push except that of journalism par excellence, something that is far too rare in Australia today. His article on the media reports of the riots in LA is most informative. Law enforcement is being performed at the command of Governor Gavin Newsom. It was a member of his LAPD that fired the rubber bullet that struck an Australian journalist. Very little has been made of this incident but if the bullet had been fired by someone sent to the riot by Donald Trump this incident would’ve been reported for many days. Whether he likes it or not, Newsom is the man responsible for what is occurring during the response to these riots.

Peter Surkitt, Sandringham, Vic

Brava, Nova

Former Olympian and senator Nova Peris gives us an all-too-rare and shocking insight into the daily threat of terrorist attacks on the people of Israel. Surrounded by hostile countries, one can only imagine what would’ve happened to the isolated tiny nation of Israel by now if it were not for its world-leading three-tiered air defence system. Thank you, Nova, for having the courage to give practical support to the people of Israel by backing your words with your action of visiting this beleaguered and isolated tiny democratic nation in these dangerous times.

John Bell, Heidelberg, Vic