A “really concerning” situation is developing in Australia’s region – and the nation is unprepared for it, independent senator Rex Patrick says.
“Unfortunately, if we look at what President Roosevelt once said about talking softly and carrying a big stick, the Prime Minister and Peter Dutton have got this the wrong way around – they’re actually talking very loudly whilst carrying a twig,” Mr Patrick told Sky News Australia.
“We have a whole range of defence capabilities that have been withdrawn from service or put on hold because they’re not achieving the expected aims.
“Then we have a whole bunch of defence projects that aren’t set to deliver capabilities until next decade.
“We’ve got a really concerning situation developing in our region, and we are simply not prepared for it.”