Parliament must be given power to vote on whether Australia goes to war, inquiry hears

War powers reform essential after decision to spend $270bn on military hardware, former defence secretary says

Australia's decision to ramp up spending on military hardware makes it even more important that parliament is given the power to vote on whether the country goes to war, a former defence secretary has said.

Paul Barratt, who headed the Australian defence department from 1998 to 1999, has also warned that Covid-19 could drive some countries to further pursue automated warfare - a trend that would increase the risk of conflict.