Nation’s poor defence focus a serious worry for voters

The forthcoming federal election will have significant conseq­uences for the security of this nation (“Defence spend a long-term turning point for budget”, 7/3).

US President Donald Trump, in just seven weeks, has demonstrated by his treatment of Canada, NATO and Ukraine that national security alliances are now negotiable items, with transactional economic benefits for the American assistance being regarded as highly relevant to the continuance of such agreements, whether they be formal or otherwise.

It is vital that Australia has a stable, majority government that has far more in common with our major ally than a future union-backed Labor-Greens-teals minority government could ever offer.

David Burt, Quindalup, WA

Your editorial notes that the Australian National Audit Office says: “Delivering major projects on schedule continues to present challenges for Defence.”

Of courses, no one is held responsible. Just tell it as it is: defence procurement management is hopeless.

Roger Dace, Greenway, ACT

The statement from Defence Minister Richard Marles (“Marles targets defence spending”, 6/3) that the Albanese government is ready for “an ongoing conversation” with the Trump administration about further lifting defence spending reeks of desperation. Leaving aside whether Australia has the capacity to accelerate existing defence acquisition programs and to introduce additional capabilities in reduced timeframes, nobody has yet explained how all this might be funded and how people will be persuaded to enlist in the Australian Defence Force.

Tough choices will need to be made about national priorities. The reality is that huge economic, social and industrial trade-offs will be needed. Based on its past performance I’m not sure we can trust Labor to make the necessary hard decisions and then have the spine to deliver the goods.

Patrick Gallagher, Wyongah, NSW

The Chinese naval task group is near Australia for a purpose, which is not to float lazily around the seas in the sun as it circumnavigates our coastline. This deployment is expensive and China does not commit resources without an underlying reason. Some commentators have opined that this deployment is about power projection and intimidation. They are correct, to a point. One does not have to be a strategic wonk to understand the wider Chinese intent. The task group could be here for a forensic analysis of the maritime approaches to our major ports, undertaking accurate undersea mapping for future submarine use. It is worth considering if there’s a nuclear sub with this group for pinpoint sonar accuracy and building a data bank.

With today’s submarine-launched weapons, they don’t need to get any closer to our landmass to scout our maritime approaches for optimum launch sites. The three surface ships are a deliberate distraction while the sub could be doing the undersea mapping. The Chinese want our focus to be on the surface ships.

To quote Chinese master strategist Sun Tzu, “All warfare is based on deception.”

P. Reynolds, Gilmore, ACT

Labor from Gough Whitlam onwards has a bad record with regard to defence, as a letter writer stated (Letters, 7/3). The sad fact is that, while better, the Coalition’s record is still pretty poor. Even current promises of increased spending don’t give me much hope. We can believe it if and when it happens.

David Morrison, Springwood, NSW

We need a leader who can convince all Australians of the need to defend our wonderful country against those who seek to conquer our free and democratic way of life, as opposed to the current mindset that acquiesces to threats and intimidation at our peril.

Gerard Abrams, Cherrybrook, NSW

A letter writer pleads (Letters, 7/3) that the Labor government must find a few more billion dollars for the defence of the nation.

With all the important progressive initiatives on foot, it is difficult to see there will be much left in the piggy bank for military spending.

A couple of well-armed rowing boats perhaps? One on the east coast, the other to the west. All under the control of Captain Mainwaring, of course.

K. MacDermott, Binalong, NSW