Andrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

At a time when the world is becoming more unstable, more contested and more dangerous, strong partnerships between democratic nations matter. Australia and Europe may sit on opposite sides of the globe, but increasingly we face the same threats of the growing instability we're witnessing across the globe, in the Indo-Pacific, in Europe and in the Middle East. The old assumption that distance alone protects Australia no longer holds true. National security today extends far beyond traditional borders and battlefronts. Modern warfare is fought across cyber networks, communication systems, critical infrastructure, supply chains, satellites and digital platforms. That's why cooperation with trusted democratic partners is so important.

This agreement reflects a growing understanding that the security of Europe and the security of the Indo-Pacific are deeply interconnected. We've seen through the war in Ukraine, tensions in the Indo-Pacific, instability in the Middle East and the escalating cyberthreats that events on the other side of the world can directly impact Australians here. That impact can be felt through energy prices, supply chain disruptions, cyberattacks, trade instability or threats to critical infrastructure.

As someone who has spent significant time working in the defence, national security and intelligence space through the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security and the defence subcommittee, now the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence, I understand just how rapidly these threats are evolving—and Australia cannot afford complacency. The coalition has always understood the importance of strong alliances and strategic partnerships. From ANZUS to the Five Eyes partnership to AUKUS, coalition governments have consistently led on Australia's security, depending not only on capability but also on trusted relationships with like-minded nations. Importantly, this partnership also creates opportunities for Australian businesses operating at the cutting edge of defence, technology and innovation, and that matters greatly for regions like mine on the Sunshine Coast.

Many people would be surprised to learn that the Sunshine Coast is home to a growing and highly capable defence, aerospace and advanced manufacturing sector. We have innovative businesses contributing to sovereign capability, aviation technology, cyber-resilience and advanced manufacturing right here in our Sunshine Coast region. Australian businesses are innovative, they are agile, and they're ready to contribute more to Australia's national resilience and defence capability. But partnerships and announcements alone are not enough. Capability matters. Delivery matters. Preparedness matters. As I often say, Australians expect outcomes on defence and intelligence, not just announcements, because announcements are easy, but delivery is hard, and capability delayed is capability denied. The real test of agreements like this is whether they deliver meaningful capability, stronger industrial resilience and improved strategic preparedness.

We are already seeing how modern warfare is changing. Lessons from Ukraine and the Middle East demonstrate the growing importance of drones, autonomous systems, integrated strike capability and cyber-resilience. Australia must not fall behind again. That means backing sovereign capability, backing local defence industry, backing Australian manufacturing and ensuring our nation has resilient supply chains and industrial capacity in times of crises. National security and economic security are now inseparable.

More than 103,000 Australians have paid the ultimate sacrifice with the Australian flag on their left shoulder. We honour that sacrifice not simply with words but by ensuring Australia is prepared for the strategic challenges of the future. That requires seriousness, urgency, long-term thinking and a genuine whole-of-nation approach to national security. I, along with the coalition, support stronger cooperation between Australia and our democratic partners. We support building resilience against cyber threats, terrorism and foreign interference, and we support creating opportunities for Australian defence businesses and innovators to connect into the supply chain of like-minded democratic nations. But these partnerships must be backed by real capability and real investment.

While I support stronger cooperation between Australia and Europe, partnerships alone are no substitute for a comprehensive national security strategy. We must get our own house in order first by strengthening sovereign capability, rebuilding industrial resilience, securing our supply chains and ensuring Australia is appropriately prepared for the challenges ahead. (Time expired)

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