Yes I can think of any number of neutral Western European countries whose "independent foreign policy" has for decades relied on their close proximity to NATO countries. The geography of Sweden, Austria and Switzerland amounts to defacto extended nuclear protection by NATO nukes.

Australia's isolated geographical position affords no such fortuitous extended protection.

We need to be consciously protected in our isolated position or protect ourselves.

The giants in our region would consider conventional cruise missiles on our aircraft or (future) subs to be quite cute.