Ralph Babet (Victoria, United Australia Party) Share this | Hansard source

If comedy, hubris and, I guess, wishful thinking could be used in defence of our great nation, many of you in this place could single-handedly keep Australia safe. Between alarmist descriptions of nuclear subs as floating Chernobyls and the insistence that we cancel the AUKUS agreement, Australia's enemies could all just die from laughter. How would we defend ourselves, defend this country from the myriad threats that we face in this world—a world that teeters on the edge of war? Is the plan to just potentially glue ourselves to the road? Is that the plan? Or maybe tie ourselves to a post in front of an advancing army? Is that the plan? If only world affairs were that simple. But this is no time for Australia to be led by simpletons—no time, with major threats to our north. There are wars and rumours of war as well. Just how prepared are we? How prepared are we as a nation? Australians watching at home: we've got only six submarines, only one of which is fully operational, I'm told. Our Defence Force numbers are below minimum fighting strength, and a recent report indicated that we have enough ammunition to fight for just around a week. We need our allies more than ever, and we have no better, no stronger ally than the United States of America. What a pity, then, that some in this place just simply prefer to hate on their political rivals rather than taking seriously the defence of our nation.

Now, I get it why some in this place dislike the great Donald Trump, because he loves free speech. He loves economic growth, democracy, small government, lower taxes and affordable reliable power—all of the things that far too many of you in here detest, in my opinion. While foreign powers build their armies and shore up their alliances, we in Australia are led by small, petty men and women whose ignorance and refusal to accept reality could get us all killed. History shows us that peace comes through strength and strength alone. The sooner we have serious people leading our country, the sooner we will have a fighting chance of defending our nation. People at home: make better choices at the ballot box. The election is just around the corner. It is time for you to vote one, UAP. Vote one, Babet.