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The so-called 'Pacific Step Up' though well intentioned has made no difference. It seems to have only prompted China to step up its own debt trap activity across the region.
After the dust settles later this week, the new government, if there is to be one, must focus on governing, and solving the country's immediate issues.
Australia is, in my book, just like Sweden, and it is two and half times bigger in terms of population, and very similar in terms of wealth per head of population.
Never let contradiction get in the way of such a united front. Babbling about liberal democratic values matters little when it comes to crusty realpolitik.
The Prime Minister was on message when he committed Australia to fighting economic and other coercion in our region. But the time has come to match the rhetoric with real and substantial action.
On June 25, the Pentagon's UAP Task Force will release a declassified report to Congress that will do little to shift ground or alter debate on the nature of such phenomena.
The idea for a national unity government gained steam last month when activists and regular political commentators issued an open letter calling for such a government.
Australia has, via the Pacific Step Up program, made very little difference. The simple truth is that China's domination of these key sectors has not slowed at all.
An amalgam of eight leaders trading insults and denigrating each other - whilst their parties have adopted policies that are totally irreconcilable on critical issues – is not the foundation for any stable Government.
