We live in dangeroustimes.Weakness isprovocative—and we can't...

We live in dangeroustimes.

Weakness isprovocative—and we can't afford to be weak as a country.

Authoritarian powers are on the move.

China, Russia and Iranare working together to create strategic disorder in Europe, the Middle East,and closer to home.

We saw Hamas attack Israel last October, and now we have Iranian-backed Houthi rebels attacking global trade and shipping in the Red Sea.

Now is the time forAustralia to be strong.

But when it comes todefence and national security, Anthony Albanese and Richard Marles fail atevery turn.

Labor were exposed in Parliament this week, where their weak leadership was on display for everyone to see.

A theme emerged:weakness.

Richard Marles, Australia’s defence minister, failed to raise China’s sonar attacks on our troops with his Chinese counterpart. Weak.

Marles decided to bury Taipan helicopters rather than send them to Ukraine. Weak.

Marles refused to send a warship to the Red Sea to defend our trade routes from attacks by Houthi rebels. Weak.

So we piled on thepressure in Parliament.

The government admittedthe Prime Minister was briefed about China’s sonar attack just before meetingChinese President Xi Jinping at APEC in San Francisco.

Did the PM stand up for our injured sailors and their shipmates?

No—he chose weakness and kept quiet.

So did the defence minister.

Weak.

And why can’t Albaneseor Marles explain why they chose to bury MRH-90 Taipan helicopters, rather thandonate them to Ukraine for medevac operations?

We discovered the Taipans are safe, despite their excuses.

Not only that—our New Zealand partners successfully operate a reliable fleet.

Labor was caughtred-handed. They mislead the Australian people and our Ukrainian friends.

But nobody would accept responsibility.

Weak.

Why is there noAustralia warship patrolling the Red Sea?

Yet another example of weak leadership in national security.

This is a vital moment in global security.

Houthi rebels are pushing up the prices of freight, and denying commercial shipping freedom of navigation with their missile attacks.

If the UK, US, Canada,Spain, France, Norway and Italy can step up their own defence, why can’t we?

It’s very simple.

Because the Prime Minister is weak. The defence minister is weak.

If you are weak, peoplewill push you around.

They will eat yourlunch.

Under this Labor government the only signal we've been receiving from Anthony Albanese and Richard Marles is weakness.

The Australian peopledeserve more from this Labor government.

Richard Marles has a task between now and the May Budget. To secure more funding for Defence.

If he can't, he shouldresign.

Regards