OPINION: The question now is what needs to be done to reverse of the erosion of Australia’s credibility in the Pacific.
marks the worst Australian security policy failure in the South Pacific since World War II, almost certainly making Chinese warships a more permanent feature in the Coral Sea.
These latest diplomatic failures compound a series of disastrous decisions over much of the last decade – including aid cuts, climate policy indifference, diplomatic inattentiveness and defence blunders – eroding Australia’s credibility and rolling out the red carpet for Xi Jinping.imposed since 2013. Morrison’s current strategy is to deny these cuts even exist. But the numbers don’t lie: US$250 million of cumulative cuts between 2013 and 2020.
Morrison claims our record was about “stomping around” telling the Pacific what to do. This is yet another Morrison lie. At every opportunity, we worked collegially through the PIF, which this government has allowed to splinter.precisely because we knew from our defence white paper that China was on the march.
Since 2013, Australia’s defence policy has been shambolic. The submarine program was first halted, then shopped around until a contract was signed with France,, with billions due in compensation. There are now 30 major defence projects that are running a total of 79 years late; 17 major projects are running $4.3 billion over budget; and the government’s much-hyped “biggest personnel increase ever made during peacetime” will still result in a smaller ADF per capita than under Labor.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
With exquisite timing, Xi Jinping has poked Morrison squarely in the eyeBy inking a security pact with the Solomon Islands, China furthers two objectives. And with the constitutional caretaker grey zone of an election campaign, it also knows exactly when to strike, writes Andrew Probyn.
Read more »
The deal that shocked the world: inside the China-Solomons security pactA secret agreement that expands Chinese influence over Solomon Islands has now been signed. How did it come about, and what does it mean for the region?
Read more »
Scott Morrison fends off claim Solomon Islands-China pact is worst foreign policy failure since 1945Prime minister defends Canberra’s ‘calibrated’ approach to Honiara and tries to turn criticism back on Labor
Read more »
China signs security deal with Solomon Islands, Chinese foreign ministry saysThe United States had earlier warned that China’s soldiers could be stationed in the Pacific nation if it signs a security deal with Beijing.
Read more »
The deal that shocked the world: inside the China-Solomons security pactA secret agreement that expands Chinese influence over Solomon Islands has now been signed. How did it come about, and what does it mean for the region?
Read more »
Morrison and Albanese clash on Solomon Islands-China pact at first leaders’ debate of federal electionScott Morrison accuses Anthony Albanese of siding with China as Labor leader wins support of 40% of undecided voter forum over PM’s 35%
Read more »