"As an island nation with an economy dependent on the unmolested access to the global maritime commons it goes without saying that Australia is exceedingly vulnerable to an active or passive blockade of critical chokepoints in the event of conflict, but just how bad is it?
For much of Australia's history we have enjoyed the free and unhindered access to the global maritime commons, secured initially by the British Empire and the might of the Royal Navy and now secured since the end of the Second World War in part by ourselves, but a global level by the United States.
This benevolence and security provided Australia with the opportunity to trade with the world, opening up the vast and unrivaled mineral wealth of the nation and unlocking our agricultural promise to the benefit of millions at home and hundreds of millions abroad.
While Australia was far from alone in benefitting from the post-Second World War peace and security, as a nation Australia has been disproportionally benefitted in many ways, buoyed by the voracious appetite of nations across the world, but in particular, right on our doorstep in the Indo-Pacific."
https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/naval/13875-stating-the-obvious-study-reveals-vulnerability-of-australian-economy-to-maritime-blockages?utm_source=Defence%20Connect&utm_campaign=04_04_2024&utm_medium=email&utm_content=1&utm_emailID=319e5f0f45fd71a181bf20978d5f5e60b664a4b76d0d87c2d3b38de3441c3bf3
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Klaus Zillner
klauszillner@yahoo.comAustralia
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