Assange has nothing to do with what size military power Australia is, or who we are allies with. And the statement that "There is no direct threat to Australia in that region…" is nonsense, as is the idea that Australia is 'provoking' China, when it is China provoking everyone in the region, plus America. Nor is there anything in Hunter's qualifications entitling him to pronounce on Australia's military abilities.

Australia's relationship with America is not "mythical", and just because Assange is Australian has nothing to do with the allegations against him. The allegations against him deal with offences against our greatest ally and its security, and it is remiss of the UK for not having shipped him out to the US for trial years ago. Besides, the current Australian government cannot manage its duties to law abiding Australians in their own country, let alone muck about with a renegade who hasn't lived here for years.

If Australia should "take the position of other nations", it also should not expect any help from America; which would be a problem if 'General' Hunter is right about our defences.

The final wild opinion on defence is the 'protection' of the Chinese diaspora in Australia. They would be the Chinese who kicked John
Howard out of his own seat because of his opinions on Chinese immigration; that would be the Chinese that still make a fuss when the country has an adverse opinion of the country they left be home supposedly for a better life; that would be the Chinese who are still regarded, and always will be regarded by Bejiing as loyal to China no matter where they live; that will be the Chinese who will stay loyal to the mother country for fear of what could happen to the family they left behind; that would be the growing number of Chinese who are sending their Australian-born children to China for primary school education.

Stop publishing rot.

Yep…That’s the logic at work, but the evolution of political pantomime is the common reality.

Playing from the Finnish song sheet of 1939-1945 on their Russian border, should be a sobering look into playing the game of survival. As a comparison, Australia’s orchestral score is entirely “Oh Johnny one note” .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Gustaf_Emil_Mannerheim

And the leadership of a Mannerheim in Australia would be better than useful.

I'm with Murray on this one.

Australia can't defend itself with or without the US,
- Anymore than US can defend either Ukraine or Taiwan.
Defending the US rules based order is foolish, a multipolar world is emerging, Australia would do better to focus on trade not provocate our largest trading partner.
China is not a threat to Australia, unless the US can get a war started itself, which it won't because the Pro-Chinese Taiwanese opposition is ranking well in the polls and the Taiwanese don't want their small island destroyed like US foreign policy destroyed Ukraine.
- And besides the US would lose anyway.

And send Assange back ASAP.

The cost of energy has ensured our economic contraction and the loss of any viable manufacturing ability. The latter essential to our viable self-defence.

Ultra cheap energy (MSR thorium) will allow us to build ships planes and long-range missiles, plus service what we have and create all the fuel we need from abundant seawater. (Old technology)

None of the above doable with battery backed renewables and every pollie with a still functioning brain knows it.

Spineless brow nosing their best response as they sell Australia down the river. Forward projection? Not even conceivable as the gabfest goes on indefinitely as the recourses and chances are wasted or avoided!
Alan B.

If ex-President Trump goes to jail for espionage? What chance does a bail jumping, criminal hacker like Assange have?
Alan B.