‘Arc of Autocracy’ threatens world: Scott Morrison

An ‘arc of autocracy’ stretching from Beijing to Moscow is threatening to tear down freedoms that previous generations fought to secure, Scott Morrison says.

Scott Morrison says the freedoms forged from great sacrifices made in the past should be honoured ever more fiercely in the face of new and emerging threats. Picture: Jason Edwards

An “arc of autocracy” stretching from Beijing to Moscow is threatening the rules-based world order and the tearing down of freedoms that previous generations have sought to secure through conflict, Scott Morrison said on Monday as the nation gathers to remember fallen Australians.

Delivering his Anzac Day speech in Darwin, to commemorate the 80th anniversary year of the bombing of the northern port city, the Prime Minister says the world is again “changing before our eyes”.

He was joined by Deputy Opposition Leader Richard Marles, with Anthony Albanese in seven-day isolation following a positive Covid-19 result.

Mr Marles, tipped to become defence minister if Labor wins the May 21 election, also focused on the Darwin bombing anniversary while commemorating the “ultimate sacrifice of more than 100,000 Australians. Their sacrifice burns bright. It illuminates the nation. And it reminds us that to wear our national uniform is an act of the highest service.”

Writing in The Australian, Mr Morrison says the freedoms that Australians enjoy today, forged from great sacrifices made in the past, should be honoured ever more fiercely in the face of new and emerging threats.

“War stalks Europe again, ­coercion troubles our own region once more, and an arc of autocracy from Beijing to Moscow is challenging the rules-based world order our grandparents’ generation sought to secure,” he said.

“In facing this world, we must remember again.”

Mr Morrison said that the “most sacred day in our nation’s calendar” is a reminder of the values Australians fought and died for and which were once again being challenged.

“It’s true that when it comes to the defence of Australia, military capability matters. Alliances matter. Strategy matters,” he said.

“But what ultimately matters is a people with a fierce and protective love – a love of home, family, community and country.

“A willingness to live – and possibly die – for something greater than themselves.

“In remembering, we see the character and values of Aus­tralians who have faced the worst and sacrificed the most.

“Their actions remind us what we stand for, what we believe in, and, if need be, what we’ll defend.

“We are a liberal democracy that believes in freedom of speech, association and a free press. We believe that the powerful should not dominate the weak, and that all peoples have the right to live free of coercion, intimidation, and the brute fist of force. Above all, we believe in human dignity and the rights of all people to make choices for their own lives.

“This is what has been defended by successive generations and this is what we honour and remember today.

“It is often said on Anzac Day that we gather to remember the fallen – the nearly 103,000 men and women whose names adorn our sacred Roll of Honour. And the hundreds of thousands more who have worn our uniform and make sacrifices only they truly know. We also gather to remember that cord that ties all Australians from the past, to the present and eventually, the ­future. To understand ourselves and our democratic inheritance.”

Mr Marles commemorated the “ultimate sacrifice of more than 100,000 Australians”.

“Their sacrifice burns bright. It illuminates the nation.

“And it reminds us that to wear our national uniform is an act of the highest service; service in war, service in peacekeeping, service in providing humanitarian relief, both abroad and at home,” he said.

“Those who wear our nation’s uniform do so with a willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice, which means theirs is a magnificent service for which all of us are deeply grateful.”

Mr Marles’ speech focused on the landing at Gallipoli and World War II bombing of Darwin. “We gather at this moment of the day before the rising of the sun, when 107 years ago the earliest Anzacs came to Gallipoli.

“As the dawn breaks, we try to imagine their anxiety, their fear, their anticipation, and their total commitment to mission, where on a distant beach on the other side of the world they first met war,” he said.

“Just over 80 years ago, at a later hour of the morning, war came here, right here, to this place. In this very place, people could hear the noise of the aircraft. In this place, people witnessed the explosions of the bombs. Darwin is where war first met Australia in the Pacific theatre.”