Ditch bipartisanship and debate Australia's defence and security, politicians urged

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An Australian National University defence analyst says the world is entering the most difficult and dangerous period since the cold war, and Australian politicians need to openly debate defence and security issues, rather than strive endlessly for contrived bipartisanship.

In a new report commissioned by the progressive thinktank the Australian Institute, Andrew Carr says Australian politics needs to throw off the straitjacket if it is to rise to the challenges posed by the troubled security environment in the region.