“Climate Greatest Threat to Australia’s Security,” Ex-Defence Chief Says

Apr 21, 2022 | Michael Mazengarb
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National security experts have called on Australian voters to use the federal election to support candidates that back strong action on climate change, saying Australia has “squandered” the last two decades.

Speaking at the Smart Energy Council’s Emergency Fuel Summit in Sydney, retired admiral Chris Barrie described climate change as the single biggest threat to Australia’s national security.

When we canvased the performance of the federal government over the past few years, the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group has stated publicly that the first duty of government is to protect the people, but on climate security risks and Australia is missing an action,” Barrie added.

Barrie spoke at a forum that heard from a trio of independent candidates – Zali Steggall, Allegra Spender and Kylea Tink – who pledged to push the major parties to implement vehicle emissions standards to boost Australia’s energy security and help drive down emissions in the transport sector.

Speaking at the same forum, former director of preparedness and mobilisation at the Department of Defence, Cheryl Durrant, said that it was important that Australian political leaders make climate policy decisions based on building hope rather than stoking fear.