No Higher Priority

For decades, Australian federal governments have sought to deliver national security cheaply, spending no more on defence than deemed absolutely necessary. The result is that the nation has seriously underinvested in defence capability. This has occurred because of complacency in defence and policy circles, and the belief that Australia’s major threats had receded following the end of the Cold War. However, the reality is that Australia’s strategic outlook is rapidly worsening just as its ability to deter aggression and defend itself has been degraded. The Australian Institute of Public Affairs has published this book as a blueprint for immediate action on Australia’s defence, 2025–2028. Defence experts Peter Jennings AO, Michael Shoebridge and Marcus Hellyer make 36 recommendations for the adoption of measures for strengthening Australia’s military power.