Re:

Quote:

Why then does Australia expend so much money, lives and time trying to crush the Taliban and ISIS in Iraq and Syria when we have a potentially bigger and more complex problem emerging on our door step?

Answer:

Because Australia relies for its protection on the USA and as such is at the beck and call of the US.

Australia spends most of its time fighting other peoples battles for the simple reason it does not have the capability to "really" defend itself and relies on others to its defence.

Australia cannot afford to be an independent nation ... It could not afford the bill. What with the amount spent on health, education and social security.

simplesimon = Simple answer = right answer.

The Philippine army and police force are on top of this one!? Our involvement might easily make matters worse!

However if they need help they only need ask for it! At present, the region is being reduced to rubble, and at the behest of one or two "muslim" leaders who refuse to peacefully cohabitate!

In the past they have been beaten to a standstill, seek a peace treaty, then use the time and regional autonomy, to rearm and retrain another small army!

This time just has to be different! This is a malignant, alleged Islamic cancer, which must be completely excised from a Christian country!

These Islamic radicals have proven beyond question time and again, that not only do they plan to islamize the entire Philippines, but will never ever rest until they control all of it! Even if that means a virtual slaughterhouse and rivers of Christian blood!?

The Philippine army seems well on the way to excising this Islamic cancer! And can't stop until this murderous mindless menace is wiped forever from the face of the earth!

Which is the only way to completely stop it as well as minimize total loss of life!

They had regional autonomy, but will never ever rest until their control is total and absolute! So, they leave the Philippine government with few if any, sad but true choices, beyond an (them or us) annihilation campaign!?
Alan B.

The US, UK whoever will seek to protect it's financial interests as they have always done. The populace is immaterial other than to maintain their financial interests and profitable return.
Australia is, unfortunately, merely a hole in the ground where the investors come for profit.
The fact that Australia's inhabitants are remnants of an Anglo based society who at one time were hard working, proud and protective of their achievements, have morphed into a disillusioned fragmented people with no cohesive direction, save for the political message being espoused on the day. Like sheep reacting to the impetus of the day to the point that they are no longer a cohesive flock but irrelevant fragments of interest each bleating about which political party is best and ignoring the fundamental needs required to re-unite.
People once migrated to Australia seeking to get a better return for their labours....now they migrate because of the free money with little or no intention of contributing to the Australian social fabric.
Australia lost that opportunity because it wanted to play above it's station, and will now always be on the bench at the beck and call of its masters, who occasionally let it run onto the field to promote it's existence.
To become a people you need respect for one another.
This is why mono cultures always fared better.
Pride in a common language allows for better communication and less misunderstanding.