Should Australia Rethink its National Security?
After Australian journalist, Lauren Tomasi, was shot at this week by police in Los Angeles, it’s clear that Donald Trump has torn up the rule books on friendship and international order, leaving Australia in a sticky situation. Our national security has relied on the USA as its number 1 ally for a long time now. But if we can no longer rely on them as our friend, do we need to completely rethink how we defend ourselves in these changing times? Should we increase our military spending and become more independent, or are we looking in all the wrong places?
Dr Emma Shortis, Director of the Australia Institute’s International & Security Affairs Program in Melbourne, is one of the people who is asking those questions. She thinks that our national security focus should shift to addressing climate change, upholding international law and making Australia a fairer, more equitable society.
Photo: Bumble Dee
