Brian Toohey makes some good points

July 2, 2025

Brian Toohey makes some very good points in his 2 July opinion piece. Australia’s security and defence requirements are not similar to either those of the US or Europe. We are not covered by NATO or any other similar treaty and we do not have Russia on our doorstep. If we did need to spend 3.5% GDP on defence, it would be a coincidence with America’s request.

Given our terrible history of joining America in conflicts, no way should we join them in defending Taiwan or agree to linking Taiwan with the use of any nuclear submarines sold to us by America, or to be part of any tariff negotiations. We have accepted for decades that Taiwan is part of China.

Given that America will not guarantee to defend Australia but will probably mandate access to these submarines and that these conditions will probably persist after Trump, we need at least a plan B.

I do worry though when informed but not defence expert commentators like Toohey specify the detailed hardware and systems Australia needs. We should start with an overdue update of the Gillard 2013 National Security Strategy.