As part of a series looking at what needs to be done to strengthen Australia’s defence, this paper focuses on fixing defence infrastructure and energy vulnerabilities. It notes that Australia’s military has some clear vulnerabilities that will affect its ability to sustain operations during a conflict involving major powers in the region. The report makes six recommendations setting out actions that need to be developed in the next term of government. Three propositions are foundational to the report.

Propositions

1. The Australian Defence Force, along with the Defence Department and supporting defence industry cannot operate in isolation from the broader Australian economy.
2. Expectations that, in a time of crisis or conflict, the federal government can simply requisition or control whatever Defence needs are inaccurate and create complacency.
3. There are wider policy, investment and political issues involved in the national energy debate in Australia, but the defence and national security aspects of this issue cannot wait for national priorities to be set and challenges resolved.

Recommendations

1. Develop a homeland defence strategy to protect key civilian population centres and critical infrastructure against enemy long-range strikes.
2. Urgently harden military bases against attack.
3. Develop a mobilisation plan with industry to harness defence use of national critical infrastructure in wartime.
4. Make key commercial northern port and airfield facilities capable of military operations during a crisis.
5. Build onshore national fuel reserves.
6. Devise a plan to disperse fuel stocks widely across defence bases, particularly in the north.