With Aukus and the Quad, Australia’s capability to engage, at least on security matters, with democracies in the region has grown. However, this has not played into a larger vision of Australia’s place in the region. Whether on the Pacific or China, Australia’s foreign policy needs clarity and coherence.
The wisdom of shoehorning such a significant piece of foreign policy without broad consultation is questionable and highlights the startling lack of public scrutiny being applied to matters of national security in Australia.
The militaristic chest-thumping from the Australian political class, a growing military-industry complex, and the decline of Asian literacy are creating a toxic cocktail.