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One of the Federal Government's top national security officials has warned the "drums of war" are beating amid rising tensions with China.
In an Anzac Day message to staff, Home Affairs Department Secretary Mike Pezzullo said Australia must work to reduce the risk of
war "but not at the cost of our precious liberty".
"Today, as free nations again hear the beating drums and watch worryingly the militarisation of issues that we had, until recent years, thought unlikely to be catalysts for war, let us continue to search unceasingly for the chance for peace while bracing again, yet again, for the curse of war," Mr Pezzullo said.
A top Australian national security official has warned that the 'drums of war' are beating amid China's rise in the Asia Pacific. (AP)
Security expert John Blaxland told Today Mr Pezzullo's words were "chilling" but a realistic summary of the security threats faced by Australia.
"It is chilling but it is sobering ... Inside government bureaucracy we are seeing a reminder that the stakes are getting high," Professor Blaxland said.
Professor Blaxland, from the Australian National University (ANU), said Mr Pezzullo's speech was a wake-up call for the Federal Government and defence planners.
He said the Australian Defence Force needed more resources to respond to China's rise.
"We are way off any kind of ability to respond," he said this morning.
"We have a boutique defence force that, you know, in terms of just in land power terms alone, it is about one-and-a-half divisions. In the Second World War at its peak we had 14."
China's military build up in the South China Sea includes building artificial reefs that can be used as defence bases. (Getty images)
In contrast, China has launched a massive military expansion program along with increased cyber warfare capabilities.
"The number of ships that China has in the South China Sea is mind blowing and they are intimidating, Malaysia, the Philippines - anybody except probably Vietnam - are intimidated to do anything."
In his speech, Mr Pezzullo, warned that Australia must be prepared "to send off, yet again, our warriors to fight".
"Today, as free nations again hear the beating drums and watch worryingly the militarisation of issues that we had, until recent years, thought unlikely to be catalysts for war, let us continue to search unceasingly for the chance for peace while bracing again, yet again, for the curse of war," Mr Pezzullo said.
Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews told Today the Australian government was "alert but not alarmed" about regional threats.
"I think the overarching message from government is that we need to be alert but not alarmed. That is going to be the consistent messaging from us," she said.
"We're obviously very conscious as a government of what is happening in the Pacific region, in particular, and we will always put Australians first, second and third."
But Labor frontbencher Bill Shorten told Today that top government officials such as Mr Pezzullo should avoid "inflammatory" language.
"I don't understand why they are using such inflammatory language.
"So by all means we need to stand up for our trade, stand up for rule rights, but language like 'drums of war', I think that is pretty hyper-excited language," Mr Shorten said.
Defence Minister Peter Dutton has warned China is militarising ports in the Asia Pacific region. (9News)
Earlier this week, Defence Minister Peter Dutton warned that China was militarising ports in the region.
"We need to recognise that our region is changing," Mr Dutton said on Sunday.
"China is militarising ports across our region. We need to deal with all of that, and that is exactly what we are now focused on."
The comments follow the contentious decision by Foreign Minister Marise Payne to scrap Victoria's controversial infrastructure agreement with Beijing linked to China's Belt and Road initiative.
www.9news.com.au
In an Anzac Day message to staff, Home Affairs Department Secretary Mike Pezzullo said Australia must work to reduce the risk of
war "but not at the cost of our precious liberty".
"Today, as free nations again hear the beating drums and watch worryingly the militarisation of issues that we had, until recent years, thought unlikely to be catalysts for war, let us continue to search unceasingly for the chance for peace while bracing again, yet again, for the curse of war," Mr Pezzullo said.
A top Australian national security official has warned that the 'drums of war' are beating amid China's rise in the Asia Pacific. (AP)
Security expert John Blaxland told Today Mr Pezzullo's words were "chilling" but a realistic summary of the security threats faced by Australia.
"It is chilling but it is sobering ... Inside government bureaucracy we are seeing a reminder that the stakes are getting high," Professor Blaxland said.
Professor Blaxland, from the Australian National University (ANU), said Mr Pezzullo's speech was a wake-up call for the Federal Government and defence planners.
He said the Australian Defence Force needed more resources to respond to China's rise.
"We are way off any kind of ability to respond," he said this morning.
"We have a boutique defence force that, you know, in terms of just in land power terms alone, it is about one-and-a-half divisions. In the Second World War at its peak we had 14."
China's military build up in the South China Sea includes building artificial reefs that can be used as defence bases. (Getty images)
In contrast, China has launched a massive military expansion program along with increased cyber warfare capabilities.
"The number of ships that China has in the South China Sea is mind blowing and they are intimidating, Malaysia, the Philippines - anybody except probably Vietnam - are intimidated to do anything."
In his speech, Mr Pezzullo, warned that Australia must be prepared "to send off, yet again, our warriors to fight".
"Today, as free nations again hear the beating drums and watch worryingly the militarisation of issues that we had, until recent years, thought unlikely to be catalysts for war, let us continue to search unceasingly for the chance for peace while bracing again, yet again, for the curse of war," Mr Pezzullo said.
Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews told Today the Australian government was "alert but not alarmed" about regional threats.
"I think the overarching message from government is that we need to be alert but not alarmed. That is going to be the consistent messaging from us," she said.
"We're obviously very conscious as a government of what is happening in the Pacific region, in particular, and we will always put Australians first, second and third."
But Labor frontbencher Bill Shorten told Today that top government officials such as Mr Pezzullo should avoid "inflammatory" language.
"I don't understand why they are using such inflammatory language.
"So by all means we need to stand up for our trade, stand up for rule rights, but language like 'drums of war', I think that is pretty hyper-excited language," Mr Shorten said.
Defence Minister Peter Dutton has warned China is militarising ports in the Asia Pacific region. (9News)
Earlier this week, Defence Minister Peter Dutton warned that China was militarising ports in the region.
"We need to recognise that our region is changing," Mr Dutton said on Sunday.
"China is militarising ports across our region. We need to deal with all of that, and that is exactly what we are now focused on."
The comments follow the contentious decision by Foreign Minister Marise Payne to scrap Victoria's controversial infrastructure agreement with Beijing linked to China's Belt and Road initiative.
Top security official warns 'drums of war are beating' amid China tensions
One of the Federal Government's top national security officials has warned that the "drums of war" are beat...
www.9news.com.au
