Re-structuring the ADF as a self-reliant force concentrating on territorial defence of Australia only and without foreign assistance
Discussion with Dr Albert Palazzo & Dr Mike Gilligan followed by Q & A
Current Australian defence policy is based on relying on the protection of a big power, the USA. This close relationship has drawn Australia into disastrous wars including Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq. IPAN holds that Australia can indeed defend itself without foreign assistance and that our ADF should be confined to this specific task and not join in expeditionary wars with the USA. This webinar discusses what adjustments need to be made to enable the ADF to concentrate on territorial defence only without foreign assistance and what items currently on the government’s muilti-billion dollar military spending splurge including nuclear-propelled submarines are unnecessary for this self defence orientation.
Facilitator: Dr Sue Wareham OAM is President of the Medical Association for Prevention of War. She is also Secretary of Australians for War Powers Reform.
Dr Albert Palazzo is an Adjunct Professor at the University of New South Wales – Canberra. Formally, he was the Director of War Studies in the Australian Army Research Centre, a part of the Australian Army Headquarters. He has written articles on alternative defence for Australia including one on armed neutrality and one on planning not to lose. His next book is on climate change and its implications for national security. He hopes his writings will encourage a re-think both within the army and in the public domain of the best defence policies for Australia in current times.
Dr Mike Gilligan worked for 20 years in defence policy and evaluating military proposals for development, including time in the Pentagon on military balances in Asia. He has authored a number of articles in Pearls and Irritations including, “Our Defence Minister spurns realism, imperilling Australia”, June 22, 2022, “AUKUS is not about defending Australia but a possible US attack on China”, June 2, 2022 and “AUKUS and submarines – a slippery slope”, April 27, 2022. He is a strong believer in our ADF’s ability to defend territorial Australia without foreign assistance.