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Daily Telegraph
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Telegraph
More Chinese ships set to enter Australian waters: Defence chief
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Australians should expect more Chinese naval flotillas to enter our waters, says Defence Force chief David Johnston, issuing a veiled warning against more unannounced live fire exercises. Speaking at the Defending Australia summit in Canberra's Parliament House, Admiral Johnston said the defence force had shadowed a Chinese flotilla throughout its circumnavigation of Australia in February in a 'proportionate' response, but did not directly comment on a Virgin pilot notifying authorities of its live fire exercise. Asked if he believed another flotilla would return, Admiral Johnston said: 'Yes ... we do expect that they will be in the Indian Ocean (and) in the southwest Pacific at a more regular rate than we have seen.' Defence Minister Richard Marles said China had 'engaged in the biggest conventional military build-up since the end of the Second World War', which unquestionably was 'at the heart of the complex strategic circumstances that we face'. Early career defence personnel and students also quizzed leaders including Australian Submarine Agency director-general Jonathan Mead, who said there were 'thousands of job opportunities' ahead in the nuclear-powered submarine project but authorities needed to better engage with the public about them. Australian Submarine Agency director-general Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead with students from Findon Technical College at the Defending Australia forum in Canberra. Admiral Johnston echoed Mr Marles, saying China was seeking to demonstrate its dramatically expanded military capability and 'exert the influence they believe is in their national interests'. 'The task group's presence in our waters is a demonstration of that capacity,' he said. Asked how the Chinese navy would respond if Australia conducted live fire exercises in the South China Sea, Admiral Johnston did not directly respond but outlined his expectation of professional naval behaviour. 'We are a very professional Australian Defence Force with a very professional navy capability. We're very clear on what does professional maritime behaviour look like,' he said. 'And avoiding disturbing civil air lanes or civil maritime traffic is not that type of professional behaviour that we see. We manage ourselves in a way that when we do firings, we are very clear on the area of the nature of warnings that are provided in order to achieve our objectives, without causing disruption.' Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston gave a keynote address at the Defending Australia summit. Picture: Martin Ollman Admiral Johnston said technology had brought 'critical areas of rapid change', saying 'we have to consider how northern Australia might support combat operations'. Asked if China was a military threat to Australia, Mr Marles said its military build-up was bigger than at any point during the Cold War. 'Now to properly nail that down, it is also engaging in a nuclear build up as well, not on the same scale as what we saw during the Cold War but in conventional terms bigger,' he said. 'And it unquestionably is shaping the region in which we live. It unquestionably is at the heart of the complex strategic circumstances that we face.' Mr Marles said this was intensified by the fact that China had not given 'strategic reassurance' about the motivation behind this extraordinary military escalation. But Australia had explained to our neighbours about the decision to acquire and build nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS pact. 'Every country has a right to properly invest in its own defences. But what's really important is that you provide strategic reassurance to your neighbours and to the world about what that's about,' Mr Marles said. Commenting on the unannounced live-fire exercise, Mr Marles said: 'It is very much not diplomacy or defensive diplomacy obviously ... none of that provides strategic reassurance.' Mr Marles did not directly answer questions about whether the Chinese flotilla was rehearsing plans to target Australian cities or facilities, but said the unprecedented level of surveillance meant 'we do know exactly what they were doing and exactly what they're rehearsing'. Vice Admiral Mead, a 42-year military veteran, was among leaders giving career advice to students and early career defence and industry personnel. 'If you have a sense of purpose and you're focused and dedicated, you will achieve what you're setting out for,' he said, responding to a question from Findon Technical College student Matthew Goldsworthy. 'There are thousands of job opportunities (in the nuclear submarine industry), and one of the things we need to do better at is engaging with the Australian public and engaging with them.' The 'one thing' that BAE Systems Australia chief executive Craig Lockhart said would help young people to succeed was simple hard work. 'You've got decades worth of opportunity in front of you … it's down to you. If you want that opportunity it's there, grasp it with two hands and in 20-30 years you could be doing what we're doing,' he said. Paul Starick, editor at large of The Advertiser, with ASC chair Bruce Carter, Premier Peter Malinauskas, BAE chief executive officer Craig Lockhart, Australian Submarine Agency director-general Vice-Admiral Jonathan Mead, and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond at Defending Australia 2025. Picture: NewsWire / David Beach ASC chair Bruce Carter said, for a young person who joins the company, every opportunity and support would be offered – with paid training. Defending defence spending in the face of United States calls to increase to 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product, Mr Marles said Australia would focus on acquiring necessary capability rather than a financial benchmark. 'The strategic threat that we are seeking to meet is to deter any potential adversary that would seek to coerce us. That is our strategic threat, and I am confident in that we have the agency in this country and we are on a path to build up our defence force to meet that threat,' he said. Premier: We will build a subs fleet here By Emily Olle South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas provided one definitive assurance at Defending Australia 2025. 'Australia is going to build submarines,' he said. The premier said it was incomprehensible for any government to conclude otherwise, as a Pentagon-ordered AUKUS review looms over the $368bn project. 'We are an island nation … and we require a sophisticated and advanced submarine fraternity. Any alternative (to building the submarines) would leave us with none at all,' he said. He said, in a worst-case outcome, should the Virginia Class submarines not be transferred to Australian sovereign control, that should simply tell our nation that we must be building them ourselves. Premier Peter Malinauskas at Defending Australia 2025. Picture: NewsWire / David Beach This, he said, was why his government was in unequivocal support of the AUKUS deal. He said a silver lining of the review was that it would mark a 'significant achievement', should the deal survive. 'We should not fear, nor should we resist the review of AUKUS. Responsible governance demands that incoming governments examine such commitments,' Mr Malinauskas said. 'For those who fear that kind of scrutiny, I say: 'Get used to it'. '(Scrutiny and review) should be expected, because it is appropriate.' Mr Malinauskas called for the public release of a comprehensive master plan of the Osborne submarine yard, to provide the market certainty that the multibillion-dollar program was approaching development stage. The premier began his keynote speech pointing to the moment, he believed, the geopolitical landscape shifted for our current age – June 23, 2016. Brexit. 'Post Brexit, everything has changed in domestic politics,' he said. 'In fact, one of the few constants in recent years has been speakers at summits such as this reach for new synonyms for unprecedented and volatile, to recognise that we live in an uncertain geopolitical moment. 'But this shift in the defence landscape must not paralyse us, or force us into panic.' Mr Malinauskas said now was the time for calm and investment. He said while SA was energised by the economic benefit of the deal, its enthusiasm was not driven by state-based parochialism, but by a belief in its necessity. 'We are not short on economic demand. SA does not need to build submarines for economic salvation,' he said. 'We choose to take a leadership role because we believe we have the expertise to lead this long-term, comprehensive and absolutely necessary project. 'But SA does not want, nor can we, deliver AUKUS alone. So I encourage my other counterparts in the states and territories to get on board.' The premier said partnerships between the state, learning institutions and industry would be critical in ensuring the country had the skills required to deliver the project. 'There are few places on earth with our level of security, economic stability and standard of living,' Mr Malinauskas said. 'Retreating into isolation paranoia is not going to make this country safe. Isolation breeds division and delivers yet more fear. 'We are a democratic, multicultural and highly educated nation. We have world-class talent and we are investing everyday to ensure we nurture that even more.' Mr Malinauskas said Matthew, a Findon Technical College student invited to Parliament House today, asked: 'Why this industry?' Because, the premier said, it has purpose and meaning. 'Our defence industry relies on young people like you recognising the gravity of the moment,' he said. 'Our democracy is not an accident, our democracy has been hard fought and won. We have to sustain that commitment, because people put their lives on the line to honour that very cause. 'In today's climate, that work has never mattered more. In uncertain times, the only certainty we can rely on is the one that we can create. 'The global outlook is unpredictable, and that's not going to change anytime soon. But by choosing to do the hard things and the smart things … we can courageously continue to chart our own destiny.' Originally published as More Chinese warships are set to enter Australian waters, Australian Defence Force chief warns
South China Morning Post
08-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
‘Cannibalised by Aukus': is Australia sacrificing defence for future submarines?
Since the end of World War II, Australia has repeatedly revised its defence strategy in anticipation of evolving threats. For more than 15 years, China 's rise has been viewed with growing trepidation, and since 2020, Australians have been warned they face their most precarious strategic outlook for nearly a century. Advertisement Yet despite the warnings and numerous white papers, observers say Australia remains alarmingly underprepared for conflict, with the country's political class often criticised as more fluent in the rhetoric of defence than in its execution. Its military has, meanwhile, suffered from decades of indifference and underinvestment, its population reassured by the long presumed but now uncertain conviction that the United States will come to the country's aid during a crisis. On Wednesday, Australian defence chief Admiral David Johnston echoed that alarm. Speaking at a conference on Australia's preparedness for war, he emphasised the need for increased funding and investment in infrastructure and industry to ensure the country's resilience in prolonged conflicts. 'We're now in a position where defence is already spending every dollar allocated to it,' Johnston said, adding that for the first time since the second world war, Australia may soon need to conduct combat operations from its own soil. Johnston's comments at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) conference increased already mounting pressure on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese 's government to address decades of indecision that have all but neutered the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Australia's Chief of Defence Force Admiral David Johnston attends the Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on May 31. Photo: AP
ABC News
04-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Albanese under pressure to increase defence spending as US visit looms
It's hardly surprising Australia's defence chief would want more money spent on defence. Any self-respecting member of the top brass would champion an increase in military funding. But Admiral David Johnston's willingness to make his case so publicly yesterday has piled more pressure on the Albanese government at a critical moment. In less than two weeks, the prime minister is due to hold his first face-to-face meeting with the US President, whose administration is now openly calling on its ally and AUKUS partner to lift its game on defence spending. The UK (the third AUKUS partner) is already doing just that, with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer this week spelling out a new "war fighting readiness" for his country. Now Australia's defence chief has issued a very deliberate warning about the dangerous outlook facing Australia. He's explained where he fears Australia is falling short. And he's made it clear his budget is under pressure. The defence chief may not have openly called for a spending increase, but it didn't take a code breaker to decipher this message. First, there was the choice of venue. Admiral Johnston spoke at a conference hosted by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), a think tank that's accused the government of leaving Australians "less secure" through its "failure" to boost defence spending. Just last week the prime minister shot back at ASPI, arguing its views had become utterly predictable and accusing the institute of having partisan links (it's currently run by Justin Bassi, a former national security advisor to then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and chief of staff to then foreign minister Marise Payne). The chief of defence, however, had no qualms speaking at the ASPI event. Nor did he have any problem sharing his views on the spending constraints he's facing. "Defence is fully expending its budget at the moment," Admiral Johnston said, suggesting there was not a dollar to spare. This was an important point, according to former Defence Secretary Dennis Richardson. "Very often in the past the defence budget has been under-expended, under-utilised and that's been used as an argument against increasing the defence budget," Richardson told the ABC. "We're now in a position where defence is spending every dollar allocated to it." Indeed, the defence budget was under "pressure", Admiral Johnston argued, requiring "choices" to be made. The defence chief said he would always give the government "frank" advice on the spending required. And he was certainly frank in describing the strategic outlook from his perspective. For the first time since World War II, he said, "we're having to reconsider Australia as a homeland from which we will conduct combat operations." In case anyone missed the point, the defence chief said it again. "We may need to operate and conduct combat operations from this country." This goes beyond the warnings delivered in last year's National Defence Strategy about Australia facing the "most challenging strategic environment" since WWII and the end of a 10-year strategic warning time for conflict. This was the head of Australia's defence force publicly warning of the potential for war fighting on or from Australian soil. And just in case anyone was under the impression Australia is well equipped to fight from and defend its northern bases, Admiral Johnston listed the many challenges currently facing our "northern infrastructure". These included limited fuel storage, long supply chains, a lack of adequate medical facilities to "deal with trauma" for personnel involved in combat, and an absence of industry capable of rapidly repairing equipment damaged in battle. His point was to highlight the need for broad investment beyond just the defence portfolio to better prepare Australia for what could be in store. Spending by federal and state governments on health, infrastructure, and industry all needs to be focused on this new strategic reality. It all sounded rather similar to the "war fighting readiness" Sir Keir Starmer spoke of in the UK. The British Labour prime minister is lifting defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027-28, with an aim for 3 per cent in the next parliament. It's a direct response to the Russian aggression facing Europe and the equivocation of the Trump administration. "The UK is in a different place from Australia," was Albanese's response this week when asked if Australia should follow suit. The prime minister is not a fan of setting arbitrary spending targets for defence or any other portfolio. When asked this week about US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth requesting Australia lift its spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP, Albanese says his preferred approach is to identify what's needed and then "provide that investment". Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who's facing spending pressures across the board and a structural budget deficit, sounds even less interested in pouring more into defence. He points to the extra spending already allocated under the AUKUS plan as responsible and substantial. "There are always people who say we should spend more on defence, there'll be a lot of people who say we should spend less on defence," Chalmers said yesterday. That's no doubt true, but the chorus of those saying more should be spent is growing louder. The chief of defence certainly wasn't calming that chorus down. He's not weighing into the argument about precise GDP spending levels, but he has now pointed out the defence budget is stretched, and warned Australia needs to think about combat readiness much closer to home. David Speers is national political lead and host of Insiders, which airs on ABC TV at 9am on Sunday or on iview.
The Advertiser
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Combat might be launched from Australia: defence chief
Australia's defence force chief warns the nation might need to prepare for launching combat operations from home soil. Addressing the Australian Strategic Policy Institute defence conference in Canberra on Wednesday, Admiral David Johnston spoke on national preparedness and how the nation could mobilise all of society. "We're having to reconsider Australia as a homeland from which we will conduct combat operations," he said. "That, again, is a very different way, almost since the Second World War, about how we think of national resilience and preparedness ... we may need to operate and conduct combat operations from this country." Admiral Johnston said this included infrastructure in northern Australia, to supply chains, and integrating industry with the states and territories. Asked about the request made by the US that Australia boost its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP, Admiral Johnston said Defence was "fully expending its budget at the moment". "That's a good thing, as we've uplifted our acquisition, delivery workforce is improving our view of what we need to do around readiness, but that does put pressure on a budget that we have to make choices on," he said. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke to Defence Minister Richard Marles about increased spending on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy repeated that the Albanese government was open to the discussion. PNG's Defence Minister Billy Joseph said while his nation had a strong economic partnership with China, it preferred for regional security to be provided for by the Pacific. "The security and defence of both Australia and Papua New Guinea are inextricably intertwined," he said. Dr Joseph noted there were a few "notable" missing countries from the security summit in Singapore who he said should have been there but weren't, including China who did not send its defence minister this year. On the issue of the use of the ADF in disaster response, Admiral Johnston said the military probably won't be able to provide the community with the support it previously has. "It is vital that the defence force is able to focus on that mission that has consequences to the training we perform," he said. The defence strategic review, released in 2023, warned against using the ADF as a domestic disaster recovery agency. The ADF is increasingly being called on by governments to help in the face of extreme flooding and bushfires. Australia's defence force chief warns the nation might need to prepare for launching combat operations from home soil. Addressing the Australian Strategic Policy Institute defence conference in Canberra on Wednesday, Admiral David Johnston spoke on national preparedness and how the nation could mobilise all of society. "We're having to reconsider Australia as a homeland from which we will conduct combat operations," he said. "That, again, is a very different way, almost since the Second World War, about how we think of national resilience and preparedness ... we may need to operate and conduct combat operations from this country." Admiral Johnston said this included infrastructure in northern Australia, to supply chains, and integrating industry with the states and territories. Asked about the request made by the US that Australia boost its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP, Admiral Johnston said Defence was "fully expending its budget at the moment". "That's a good thing, as we've uplifted our acquisition, delivery workforce is improving our view of what we need to do around readiness, but that does put pressure on a budget that we have to make choices on," he said. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke to Defence Minister Richard Marles about increased spending on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy repeated that the Albanese government was open to the discussion. PNG's Defence Minister Billy Joseph said while his nation had a strong economic partnership with China, it preferred for regional security to be provided for by the Pacific. "The security and defence of both Australia and Papua New Guinea are inextricably intertwined," he said. Dr Joseph noted there were a few "notable" missing countries from the security summit in Singapore who he said should have been there but weren't, including China who did not send its defence minister this year. On the issue of the use of the ADF in disaster response, Admiral Johnston said the military probably won't be able to provide the community with the support it previously has. "It is vital that the defence force is able to focus on that mission that has consequences to the training we perform," he said. The defence strategic review, released in 2023, warned against using the ADF as a domestic disaster recovery agency. The ADF is increasingly being called on by governments to help in the face of extreme flooding and bushfires. Australia's defence force chief warns the nation might need to prepare for launching combat operations from home soil. Addressing the Australian Strategic Policy Institute defence conference in Canberra on Wednesday, Admiral David Johnston spoke on national preparedness and how the nation could mobilise all of society. "We're having to reconsider Australia as a homeland from which we will conduct combat operations," he said. "That, again, is a very different way, almost since the Second World War, about how we think of national resilience and preparedness ... we may need to operate and conduct combat operations from this country." Admiral Johnston said this included infrastructure in northern Australia, to supply chains, and integrating industry with the states and territories. Asked about the request made by the US that Australia boost its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP, Admiral Johnston said Defence was "fully expending its budget at the moment". "That's a good thing, as we've uplifted our acquisition, delivery workforce is improving our view of what we need to do around readiness, but that does put pressure on a budget that we have to make choices on," he said. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke to Defence Minister Richard Marles about increased spending on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy repeated that the Albanese government was open to the discussion. PNG's Defence Minister Billy Joseph said while his nation had a strong economic partnership with China, it preferred for regional security to be provided for by the Pacific. "The security and defence of both Australia and Papua New Guinea are inextricably intertwined," he said. Dr Joseph noted there were a few "notable" missing countries from the security summit in Singapore who he said should have been there but weren't, including China who did not send its defence minister this year. On the issue of the use of the ADF in disaster response, Admiral Johnston said the military probably won't be able to provide the community with the support it previously has. "It is vital that the defence force is able to focus on that mission that has consequences to the training we perform," he said. The defence strategic review, released in 2023, warned against using the ADF as a domestic disaster recovery agency. The ADF is increasingly being called on by governments to help in the face of extreme flooding and bushfires. Australia's defence force chief warns the nation might need to prepare for launching combat operations from home soil. Addressing the Australian Strategic Policy Institute defence conference in Canberra on Wednesday, Admiral David Johnston spoke on national preparedness and how the nation could mobilise all of society. "We're having to reconsider Australia as a homeland from which we will conduct combat operations," he said. "That, again, is a very different way, almost since the Second World War, about how we think of national resilience and preparedness ... we may need to operate and conduct combat operations from this country." Admiral Johnston said this included infrastructure in northern Australia, to supply chains, and integrating industry with the states and territories. Asked about the request made by the US that Australia boost its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP, Admiral Johnston said Defence was "fully expending its budget at the moment". "That's a good thing, as we've uplifted our acquisition, delivery workforce is improving our view of what we need to do around readiness, but that does put pressure on a budget that we have to make choices on," he said. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke to Defence Minister Richard Marles about increased spending on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy repeated that the Albanese government was open to the discussion. PNG's Defence Minister Billy Joseph said while his nation had a strong economic partnership with China, it preferred for regional security to be provided for by the Pacific. "The security and defence of both Australia and Papua New Guinea are inextricably intertwined," he said. Dr Joseph noted there were a few "notable" missing countries from the security summit in Singapore who he said should have been there but weren't, including China who did not send its defence minister this year. On the issue of the use of the ADF in disaster response, Admiral Johnston said the military probably won't be able to provide the community with the support it previously has. "It is vital that the defence force is able to focus on that mission that has consequences to the training we perform," he said. The defence strategic review, released in 2023, warned against using the ADF as a domestic disaster recovery agency. The ADF is increasingly being called on by governments to help in the face of extreme flooding and bushfires.
Perth Now
04-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Combat might be launched from Australia: defence chief
Australia's defence force chief warns the nation might need to prepare for launching combat operations from home soil. Addressing the Australian Strategic Policy Institute defence conference in Canberra on Wednesday, Admiral David Johnston spoke on national preparedness and how the nation could mobilise all of society. "We're having to reconsider Australia as a homeland from which we will conduct combat operations," he said. "That, again, is a very different way, almost since the Second World War, about how we think of national resilience and preparedness ... we may need to operate and conduct combat operations from this country." Admiral Johnston said this included infrastructure in northern Australia, to supply chains, and integrating industry with the states and territories. Asked about the request made by the US that Australia boost its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP, Admiral Johnston said Defence was "fully expending its budget at the moment". "That's a good thing, as we've uplifted our acquisition, delivery workforce is improving our view of what we need to do around readiness, but that does put pressure on a budget that we have to make choices on," he said. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke to Defence Minister Richard Marles about increased spending on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy repeated that the Albanese government was open to the discussion. PNG's Defence Minister Billy Joseph said while his nation had a strong economic partnership with China, it preferred for regional security to be provided for by the Pacific. "The security and defence of both Australia and Papua New Guinea are inextricably intertwined," he said. Dr Joseph noted there were a few "notable" missing countries from the security summit in Singapore who he said should have been there but weren't, including China who did not send its defence minister this year. On the issue of the use of the ADF in disaster response, Admiral Johnston said the military probably won't be able to provide the community with the support it previously has. "It is vital that the defence force is able to focus on that mission that has consequences to the training we perform," he said. The defence strategic review, released in 2023, warned against using the ADF as a domestic disaster recovery agency. The ADF is increasingly being called on by governments to help in the face of extreme flooding and bushfires.
