‘Sitting Ducks’: Hastie Warns Australia Too Reliant on US for Security

Shadow Minister Andrew Hastie has called for a rebuild of Australia’s industrial and defence capability amid growing global uncertainty.
‘Sitting Ducks’: Hastie Warns Australia Too Reliant on US for Security
Member for Canning Andrew Hastie addresses the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Feb. 10, 2026. Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images
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Shadow Sovereign Capability Minister Andrew Hastie has warned Australia would be “sitting ducks” without the support of the United States in a conflict, arguing for a rebuild of the nation’s industrial and defence capability.

During an Anzac Day speech at the Robert Menzies Institute, Andrew Hastie said Australia “forgot the hard lessons of war” and outsourced its security to the United States at the expense of its own hard power.

Monica O’Shea
Monica O’Shea
Author
Monica O’Shea is a reporter based in Australia. She previously worked as a reporter for Motley Fool Australia, Daily Mail Australia, and Fairfax Regional Media. She can be reached at monica.o'[email protected]