Subs ahoy! Marles defends Labor’s record in defence

Richard Marles is politically blessed in always looking the part of a senior Defence Minister. His speeches are delivered in a similarly impressive tone. Determined but reassuring, sober but strong, lots of important sounding acronyms.

Unfortunately, the much tarnished reality of Australia’s defence spending, strategy and delays over many years runs counter to ambitious rhetoric about the country confronting the most challenging strategic environment since World War II.