An opinion piece published by The Australian on 23 August 2025

In the last parliament, I had the great honour to serve as the opposition spokeswoman for Indigenous Australians. In that term, and in that role, there was no greater responsibility than leading the charge against the most damaging referendum in Australian history.

The voice would have treated Indigenous Australians differently because of their race, undermined the principle of equality before the law and altered how our government functions. On October 14, 2023, common sense and fair-mindedness prevailed. Australians resoundingly rejected the voice and preserved our values and democracy.

As a senator, I will always speak up on Indigenous issues. And there are many that warrant attention: The plight of those in remote communities. The ongoing romanticisation of traditional culture that inhibits addressing the root causes of Indigenous violence today. The ineffectiveness of bloated bureaucracies that have done nothing to “close the gap”. The tokenism, overuse and divisiveness of the performative acknowledgment of country. The inaccuracy and inanity of using the Canadian-appropriated term First Nations in an Australian context. And the need to push back against activists who, ignoring the referendum outcome and the will of the Australian people, march on with the goals of segregation and reparations under the guise of that Orwellian phrase “truth-telling”.

Of course, a new parliament brings new responsibilities with my appointment as opposition defence industry and defence personnel spokeswoman by our new Coalition leader, Sussan Ley.

Just as I devoted myself in my old role to stopping Australia from being divided, in my new role, I will dedicate myself to helping ensure Australia is defended. And that starts with speaking up with courage and clarity.

In my autobiography, Matters of the Heart, I lamented how Indigenous culture had encouraged a silence that had concealed and perpetuated evils.

In a similar vein, I’m concerned that our political culture – especially under the Albanese Labor government – is silencing a candid national debate on the dangers posed by the Chinese Communist Party’s military aggression in our region and its foreign interference in our country.

If a threat is disregarded, downplayed or left undiscussed by parliamentarians, Australians are unlikely to appreciate the threat and even less likely to support necessary policy responses – in this case, an increase in defence spending.

That’s why – as a shadow minister in the defence portfolio – I will regularly and directly call out the hostile activities of the CCP.

Importantly, the Coalition will always differentiate the CCP from both the Chinese people and Australians of Chinese ancestry. We seek only the best for the Chinese people who desire the same peace and prosperity that we all want, which has been the motor of human progress.

Like their fellow countrymen, Australians of Chinese ancestry treasure the freedom and opportunity this country provides – especially those who came here as migrants knowing neither opportunity nor freedom.

Just as Indigenous activists don’t speak for Indigenous Australians, the CCP doesn’t speak for Australians of Chinese ancestry – many of whom have criticised communist China’s authoritarianism at great risk to themselves and their families. We should cherish these voices, unlike those of certain truth-twisting Australian businessmen who turn a blind eye to all manner of authoritarian sins to protect their commercial interests.

Of course, China is a major trading partner. And both our peoples benefit from a productive trading relationship. But we must not bury our heads in the sand when it comes to the CCP’s military adventurism, coercion and aggression.

From its illegal militarisation of islands in the South China Sea, to using its coastguard to harass The Philippines, to its air force’s intrusion into Japan’s airspace, to its navy’s unnotified weapons testing off the east coast of Australia, to President Xi Jinping’s determination to see the “reunification” of Taiwan by “all necessary means”, time and again the CCP flexes its military muscles.

With his six-day visit to China, our Prime Minister would have Australians believe there was nothing to see here. Meanwhile, naively expecting an authoritarian regime to behave like a democratic nation, our Deputy Prime Minister states with bureaucratese that China’s massive military build-up has occurred without “transparency” or “strategic reassurance”.

The Labor government trumpets that it has stabilised relations with China. But let’s not forget, it was the CCP that imposed trade tariffs and bans on Australia – not the other way around. Anthony Albanese may yet find out – as other world leaders have – that carrots can quickly turn into sticks.

Pointing out that the CCP is causing tensions across our region is neither “beating the drums of war” nor “fearmongering”. Rather, it’s a fact we must face as a nation to stir us into action to help preserve peace in the region and to deter aggression.

We need to get serious about defence. And not just about spending more on defence as a percentage of GDP but about the defence capabilities our country desperately needs.

In modern militaries, there’s still a requirement for submarines, ships, tanks and aircraft. Author David Kilcullen, who was a senior counter-insurgency adviser to US General David Petraeus in Iraq in 2007-08 and a special adviser for counter-insurgency to US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, calls these capabilities “mountains of gold” in recognition of their size, expense, complexity and lengthy manufacturing times.

But as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have revealed, these “exquisite” platforms are increasingly vulnerable to small, simple and smart weapons that can be produced quickly, cheaply and in bulk. Precision missiles and munitions, as well as drones, unmanned vehicles and autonomous vessels, are not a fad – they have changed the character of warfare.

What we urgently need is a sovereign defence industry that can produce these “consumables of conflict” at speed and scale.

The small and medium-sized businesses in Australia’s defence industry primarily provide components and maintenance for exquisite platforms produced by major multinational defence companies. This function is still vital. However, learning lessons from Ukraine and Israel, we need to see many more Australian small and medium-sized businesses producing weapons indigenously.

With technology changing the battlefield in unprecedented ways, the closed shop that is our defence industry must be opened up – especially to businesses in the broader economy whose work has potential military applications.

In the event of conflict in our region, global supply chains will be even more stretched, making sovereign weapons production an imperative – not a choice. And as in Ukraine and Israel, there should be close co-operation between our frontline servicemen and women and Australian weapons manufacturers using a “build, test, refine” approach that instils the adaptability and innovation needed for capabilities in modern conflict.

A recent surge in recruitment for the permanent Australian Defence Force workforce is most welcome. But even with 7000 people enlisted in 2024-25, the fact there were 75,000 applicants suggests that current recruitment processes can’t cope with demand. Many who are eligible are missing out.

Just as important is having civilians who, short of becoming permanent ADF members or reservists, possess skills that could be mobilised quickly in a time of crisis. Sporting clubs, ovals and recreation centres could be used as hubs where people gather once a week – akin to personal training or events like Parkrun – to learn the most basic of basic training: first aid, navigation, self-defence, field movements, drone piloting and more besides.

Such sessions – be they run by volunteers, community organisations, veterans or ADF personnel – could whet one’s appetite to join the ADF. At the very least, they would equip Australians with new skills, strengthen community bonds and nurture a sense of national pride when we need it most.

As opposition defence industry and defence personnel spokeswoman, I’m open to different approaches. Because what’s clear is that our nation is woefully unprepared for the worst contingencies and the status quo will not suffice.