Environment: Climate Change

Senator Brown asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 16 November 2004:

With reference to the answer to question on notice no. 2811 (Senate Hansard, 12 May 2004, p. 23190): Is the scenario outlined in the October 2003 Pentagon report, Abrupt climate change scenario and its implications for United States National Security by Peter Schwartz and Doug Randall, including 'Fortress USA' and/or 'Fortress Australia' plausible; if not, why not.

Senator Hill - The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

The assumptions that underpin the climate change scenario are very complicated and technical, and as stated in my previous answer, are more appropriately addressed by the Minister for the Environment and Heritage.

However, I would comment that Australia is a trading nation, dependent upon its commercial, personal and other linkages with countries in Asia, America and Europe. It is not in Australia's interests to create a fortress (physical or conceptual) in an attempt to create a more secure environment for Australians. Australia's security is closely linked to the security and stability of our region. We recognise that Australia's security could be compromised if we did not continue to work to improve security in the region itself. Working with regional partners to build the region's capacity and capability to secure itself is a critical element of our strategy to safeguard Australia, and the fortress concept would do significant damage to that goal and its achievement.

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