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Australians are becoming more fearful in an insecure world, and want to see the country armed up, favouring more defence spending and the planned acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines.
"It's not just the continuity. It's the fact that if they changed people you would have risked some delays" as new leaders are brought up to speed, said Neil James, head of the non-partisan Australia Defence Association. "The big challenge for AUKUS has always been the timeline, and this could have affected it."
Defence Minister Richard Marles has finalised changes to military leadership, including extending the term of current chief Angus Campbell for two years.
China's pursuit of security agreements with Pacific Island countries have set off alarm bells for the US and its allies in the region.
The Albanese government needs to appoint new military commanders before their term expires in thee weeks.