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Australia: Defence lacks 'overarching strategy' to deal with climate change conflict, internal notes warn

Source(s): Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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By Mark Willacy

Internal Australian Defence Force (ADF) briefing notes from last year, obtained by the ABC under Freedom of Information, also predict the military may be forced to increase patrols in Australia's northern waters to deal with "sea-borne migration" sparked by rising sea levels in the Indo-Pacific.

One document warns that climate change could "exacerbate the potential for conflict" and contribute to "state fragility and the undermining of economic development in our immediate region".

[...]

The ADF has refused to release documents relating to the impact of sea level rises and flooding on defence training areas, telling the ABC that it is not in the national interest.

"Release of this information could reasonably be expected to cause damage to the ability of the Defence Force to remain an effective force as well as potentially providing an avenue through which foreign incursions could significantly impact our critical infrastructure," it said.

But one briefing note warns that the Indo-Pacific region is projected to experience challenges such as prolonged droughts and increased flooding from increased sea levels.

[...]

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Hazards Flood
Themes Climate change Fragility and conflict Critical infrastructure Human mobility
Country and region Australia
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