IN FULL: The Hon. Richard Marles MP's Address to the National Press Club

[@RobertWilliams-us4kw]

The failure of Australia, both politically and militaraly, is its inherent inability to be independent and to enforce it's sovereignty as a nation. It's pseudo blind following of the United States, under it's presumption 'if we don't abide by the United States in it's belligerent use of military force as it's principle form of Foreign Policies, they might not come to Australia's aid'; to the utter embedment and subordination of the Australian government (be it Labor or Liberal) and ADF into the United States government and Pentagon ORBAT, to goat and eventually fight China, so as to maintain the United States self-righteous hegemony. On top of this, a stupendous amount of national treasurer will be spent to feed the newly established and thriving Australian Military Industrial Complex, which will hardly deliver effective platforms for the ADF, but will support massive profits to U.S. and British arms industry. Say nothing of alienating Australia's principle trading partner - China.

[@AstralJackz]

I agree 100%, except for the fact that Australia does not presently have the means to influence its own self-determination. Whitlam tried it and was fired by the governor general, which we now know most likely had US involvement. Rudd tried it and saw a similar fate i.e coup d'etat via Mark Arbib, David Feeney and Paul Howes which WikiLeaks revealed to be US "protected sources". The fact is a sweeping institutional change in our intelligence agencies is required to prevent foreign interference from all sources, even from our so-called allies. You'd think a nation whose founding and identity are based upon Its hard-fought civil war for independence, would wish such a luxury on others let alone an ally as reliable as Australia.

[@johngodden4363]

What I felt was gauling about this ‘presentation’ was that he gave the impression he was passionate about the imperative and need for Australia to do something about the genuinely heightened threat posed by China but virtually all his promises and proposals are for a long term buildup. The only ‘increase in expenditure’, and I use that loosely was the $5.7 billion in the forward estimates ( next four years) for missiles- including $300 million for drones). I say loosely because the government is redirecting $72 billion of the planned expenditure on defence over the next ten year’s away from already announced programs from the previous government. There is not guarantee that Labor will fulfill the new allocations, simply because of the political cycle whereby new elections bring new administrations, and also the likelihood that this government has no intention at all to spend that money on the military. The NDIS is clearly a higher priority as is climate change initiatives like renewable energy production. Mr Marles is a salesman whose presentation is to convince us that this government is doing something that it is not. It is not spending the money now that it needs to spend now! All it is spending is $5.7 billion in four years. It talks about new frigates that have not been decided upon or financed at all. No other money is forthcoming so this is all BS. All of it!!!

[@justmemimi7338]

I gave Shorten the benefit of the doubt that the NDIS would be sorted out, but it’s not happening. The ALP recently boasted about new jobs, but almost one in three was for the NDIS. That’s insane. The obsession with renewables is likely to cost us dearly in the long term, too.

[@davidmcmurran8695]

The Minister introduced the need for fuel security but has not stated what is being planned to address fuel security to support ADF assets

[@michaelchandola2779]

Friendlyjordies does it better

[@Canq9133]

I wonder if it is getting more dangerous for Australian citizens to visit China now after this speech ?

[@ireneminzenmay4075]

Another useless talk fest

[@JoocedElvis]

Crock

[@Sailaboat]

Marles , minister for defence. To project means to attack. Stop mincing words.

[@justmemimi7338]

Does it? Genuine question. I’d not heard the term before.

[@Sailaboat]

@@justmemimi7338 Forces either defend or attack. Marles knows that building an Australian "attack" force will not be welcomed by the general public. Hence the play on words.

[@justmemimi7338]

@@Sailaboat thank you for getting back to me, and for the information.