Defence " Fragmentation " !

The head of the Australian National Security College  has warned that we are suffering fragmentation in forward planning of our foreign affairs stance in a fast changing world.   In particular, it is thirteen years since the last " White Paper " on this issue was tabled in parliament. It seems we have adopted a piecemeal  reaction in place of forward planning.

Worryingly, the political debate preceding the coming July 2 election is entirely concerned with economic and social issues.   One of the biggest outlays to reinforce the navy with twelve modern submarines has had hardly a mention and yet that is vital to the defence of this country.  Prior to the election being called, what  seemed more important was the matter of jobs and location than the defence capability the subs will provide.   The last submarine acquisition delivered sub standard results.

Much of this election debate is descending into sniping on social issues.  We need to put time and effort into being ready with cyber security defence because this will be a new warfare frontier.  Industry, communications and commerce are entirely reliant on computers and the Internet and the capacity to shut these down would send this nation into paralysis.

We live in a risky part of the world.  To our north the South China Sea is heading for a confrontation over the ownership of assorted rocks and shoals - and the undersea oil and minerals that go with ownership.  That brings with it the bigger issue of the security of shipping and air routes.  World commerce is vulnerable to " choke points " and it is understanding with other nations that is required so that collective action makes an aggressor think twice.

Many of our neighbours have at least a small issue with religious terrorism.  Islamic State has become a reality in the Middle East and now controls territory in Iraq and Syria.  It has established cells in Australia and the future is unclear.   We have seen the chaos that a subversive " third force "  can inflict in conflicts in Ireland and more recently in Britain, France and Belgium.   In many parts of the world limited civil war has raged for decades.

Then there is the matter of changing technology.   The computer displaced thousands of clerical jobs and a new age of robotics is leading to a dwindling manufacturing workforce.  Some see artificial intelligence as the new age of enlightenment, but others see it as simply making humans redundant - and perhaps changing society as we know it forever.

It seems strange that all these issues are missing from the election debate between those seeking to represent us in parliament.  The politicians insist that what the public are interested in are " bread and butter " matters.    The " national interest " is being swept under the carpet and the vote is being solicited by thinly disguised appeals to " greed " !   The planners and bean counters behind each party machine are juggling figures and forming promises of action that they hope will convince a majority of voters that what they are offering will bring a bigger personal reward that what is being offered by the other parties.

Sadly, the real issue of a better, safer Australia is not part of the debate !