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Australia confronts the new world disorder

Faced with a more aggressive China and questions about US reliability and internal cohesion, a serious rethink of what national security means is needed.

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TOPSHOT - This handout photo taken on February 13, 2025 and released by The Australian Defence Force shows sailors onboard the Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Arunta looking at the People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) Fuchi-class replenishment vessel and Weishanhu Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang in the Tasman Sea. Australia's foreign minister voiced concern on February 21 over live fire drills conducted by three Chinese warships sailing off the country's east coast. (Photo by Handout / AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO /  AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Sailors on board the Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Arunta watching the People's Liberation Army-Navy Fuchi-class replenishment vessel and Weishanhu Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang in the Tasman Sea.

PHOTO: AFP

Rory Medcalf

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It’s the cusp of election season in Australia. Amid cost-of-living pressures, the Labor government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is busy rolling out promises in infrastructure, manufacturing and welfare.

A legacy-defining announcement by the embattled Prime Minister was

a major expansion of free medical services

. On a somewhat less health-conscious note, he’s also

offering to keep beer prices down

.

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