Why the ADF is paying China up to $14 million a year

The Australian Defence Force is spending up to $14 million a year buying uniforms and other apparel from China.

Director of defence, strategy and national security at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Michael Shoebridge, says Australia used to spend more on military clothing and equipment from China.

“That’s been reducing,” he told Ross and Russel.

“Still you’ve got to think to yourself: a country that will stop lobsters going into China from Australia in times of political tension could well stop supplies to our military coming towards us in times of crisis, so it’s really smart to shift even further and to have alternatives.

“You don’t want to find these little inputs that get in the way when you need to operate in times of crisis or even war.”

Press PLAY to hear what Mr Shoebridge thinks Australia should do urgently