While Australia Sleeps, Our Situation Becomes Dire

Commentary Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles has finally spoken to his Chinese counterpart about the outrageous People’s Liberation Army (PLA) manoeuvres against an Australian military helicopter in international waters. The actions of the Chinese pilot—targeting a helicopter with flares—could have brought down the Australian aircraft with fatal consequences. So why did it take Mr. Marles 27 days to speak to Beijing’s defence minister? Was it his tardiness—or a refusal by the Chinese official to take his call? Did he even attempt to make previous contact? Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese assured Australians that representations had been made at all levels, but this did not include either he or the foreign minister endeavouring to contact their counterparts....