Are we ready for war?

The review also highlights that climate change is now a national security issue, with increased demands for disaster relief tasks at both home and abroad and the potential for mass migration of people, increased demands for peacekeeping, and intrastate and interstate conflict. It urges better civilian responses to disasters, saying Defence assets should only be a last resort. With Australia relying on overseas fuel supplies, the review recommends establishing a whole-of-government "fuel council" to bolster national storage, distribution and supply, including coming up with back-up options. Mindful of the disruption caused by the pandemic, including the early scramble for medical…