Australia sees climate crisis as a national security issue, defence minister tells US

Richard Marles delivers speech in US warning of increased militarisation in South China Sea and importance of climate action to Pacific allies

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Australia's defence minister, Richard Marles, has warned of the use of force or coercion" in the South China Sea and intensification of major power competition", references to China's rising power in the Indo-Pacific.

Marles made the comments in a speech to the Center for Strategic and International Studies on his visit to the US, committing Australia to closer cooperation with the country, higher defence spending and to address the climate crisis in part as a national security issue.