An increasingly desperate Morrison Government is willing to damage Australia’s national security by drumming up China fears. The politicisation of ASIO claims of foreign interference by Peter Dutton and Scott Morrison in parliament are self-serving in the extreme. Australia is a united nation on important issues like national security with both the opposition and the government in lockstep. However, with a federal election impending a desperate Morrison government is dog whistling China fears. A federal government accused of bungling aged care, quarantine, and timely vaccination during the Covid pandemic seeks to paint the opposition red in the minds of swinging voters.
Dutton & Morrison Loudly Beating the China Fear Drum
PM Morrison, now identified as a serial liar, has no problem doubling down with more untruths about national security. Defence minister Dutton, a hard-line right-wing candidate for Morrison’s job, has been loudly beating the China fear drum for some time. The danger with this kind of thing is like the little boy who cried wolf. If those in important positions regularly exaggerate situations and/or fabricate threats it becomes increasingly difficult for the community to recognise real danger when it actually appears. A government willing to sacrifice Australia’s unity on national security in a desperate bid to cling onto power should be consigned to the electoral dustbin. A famous Theodore Roosevelt saying in diplomacy and foreign affairs is, “speak softly and carry a big stick.” The current Australian Government has been doing the opposite, as we have no stick thanks to the submarine debacle.
Federal Government Damaging National Security
The Head of ASIO, Mike Burgess, has condemned the behaviour of the PM and Peter Dutton as not in the interest of the nation. What the coalition is attempting to do is create the perception of a problem where none exists, according to those within the national security community. Playing fear cards in elections only damages the democratic institution itself. Australia has looked on in horror at the democratic disasters involving Trump in the USA and it will be a real shame if copycat conservative politicians in Australia seek to recreate something similar here. A nasty election will only hurt Australia and our national security and standing in the world.
Australia has survived the global pandemic due to its robust economy and geographic advantages. The federal government will have been in power for some 9 years by the time of the election in 2022. Political desperation has set in, and the failures have mounted up during a challenging last 2 years. This coalition government has repeatedly failed to present and/or pass promised legislation. The Covid pandemic has become a favourite excuse in politics and business for an absence of leadership and getting things done. The PM is damaged goods both domestically and internationally. The Morrison government dog whistling China fears will not undo the electoral perception of their incompetence and untrustworthiness.