This needed to happen some time ago, like about 30 years. Australia is a critical platform for the West, especially as where it sits with relation to China and Eastern Russia.
Nuclear capable subs and a couple of bases in Australia (East and West coast) is an almost imperative.
Time to look at our capability through industry and supply methinks too. It’s ok having defence capability but the Chinese, via Belt and Road have got in behind the lines and feathered the nest on investment, particularly minerals. We being greedy and not having a strategic way forward have followed suit.
Now the US, particularly, with a $700bn defence industry, also need to shore up minerals and Australia should be a big part of that. But instead of giving it up we should sell the finsiahed article and create a win win platform.
If you want to play a strategic game you play it hard and in “ALL AREAS”.
