-We're building a strong, prosperous Australia.

-It is a massive project!

-A new era of forward thinking.

-Truly big-picture stuff.

-We have a national to-do list.

-A major infrastructure project.

-It's an incredible, transformative opportunity.

-We're spending more than any government has ever spent.

-An extraordinary figure of... -$10 billion.

-$35 billion.

-$44 billion.

-$75 billion.

-This is a nation building... -Nation building.

-Nation building.

-Nation building.

-Nation building.

Nation building.

-More than two years in the making, the much anticipated White Paper is due to be unveiled next week.

-The security of Australia is the most fundamental responsibility of Government.

-This is a national endeavor.

-With the Prime Minister describing it as a blueprint for national security, not just for now but for the next decade.

-It's getting out of hand, Katie.

147 e-mails overnight.

-You're a busy man.

-Yeah, but it's mostly junk and spam.

-You want me to get rid of them?

-No, no.

I want them sorted.

I need to know what's priority and what's junk.

-What's personal?

-I don't get many personal e-mails on this account.

-What about that one?

-It's an ad for Viagra.

-So, you don't know that lady?

-No.

-How does she know you?

-It's spam.

-Personal spam?

-No, it's just spam.

-I'll speak to Courtney.

-Just some sort of system.

-Oh, and Dennis is here today.

-Dennis?

-For our risk and safety assessment.

-We just did a risk and safety assessment.

-Last year.

-He was here a whole week.

All we ended up with was a huge folder that no one's ever read.

-But the folder needs to be updated.

-Why?

-New building.

-No.

-It's a legal requirement.

-Alright.

But Dennis.

-I thought you liked him.

-What?

-I remember you said, "That's a guy I could sure spend more time with."

-I was being sarcastic.

-Were you?

-Yeah.

-Oh, and Jim rang back.

-He wants to catch up this morning.

-Great.

-Sarcastic?

-Yeah.

-10 o'clock?

-Perfect.

Yeah.

-Still 10:00?

-Yep.

-[ Exhales sharply ] -Knock, knock.

Nat, you remember Dennis.

-Of course.

Hi, Dennis.

-Dennis is back to do our safety audit.

-Oh, yeah.

Uh, didn't we just do one?

-New building.

-Is this yours?

-Yeah.

-On your desk?

It's a desk fan.

-I knew a bloke once.

Just like you.

-I'm not a bloke.

-Thought it was okay to balance a blow-heater on a windowsill.

A few days later, bang.

Office burned to the ground.

-Oh, my God.

-It can happen.

-And was the man okay?

-Ah, well, there's another story.

-Courtney, I'm just in the middle of something important.

-Oh, yep.

Why don't we start in the basement?

-[ Whispers ] You need to get that tagged.

Fine.

Thank you.

-Hey, Nat.

-Yes.

-I've got a Melanie from the PM's office.

-Oh!

Sure.

I'll grab it.

-Yeah.

-Oh, Ash, would you close my door?

-Mmm.

[ Door closes ] -Melanie.

It's Nat.

I don't think I've ever seen a Defence White Paper in the flesh before.

-Hm.

Feel the weight.

-Is it bulletproof?

-You'd hope so.

-Hey, after 18 months, it must be a relief to finally receive this.

-Hehehe!

Tell me about it.

-Keep the military happy for another decade or so.

-Absolutely.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-So.

What's up?

You know what I was thinking the other day?

Just, you know, random ideas.

-Yeah.

-Just daydreaming.

-Was anyone else there?

-Oh, a few people.

Just kind of spit-balling.

-Was the Prime Minister there?

-Ooh... I think he might have been.

-Was this a Cabinet meeting?

-Actually, you know, it was.

-Right.

-Anyway, PM had a thought.

You know, with all this spending... -What is it, $20 billion?

-30 per year.

-30.

Yeah.

-Why not, as a last double-check -- you know the PM, so details driven -- why not get a third party, someone with external experience, ah, to give it one last look-over?

-You want us to look at a Defence White Paper?

-Yep.

-I know nothing about defense.

-Big advantage.

-What?

-Fresh eyes.

-Jim, is there a problem?

-No.

-Jim?

-Hm?

-Is there a problem?

-We don't understand what it's saying.

-What?

-No one understands it.

-After 18... The Prime Minister?

-National Security Committee?

-Oh, parts of it.

-What about the Defense Minister?

-Ah, he's waving the white flag.

-What?

-He was a Minister for the Arts three months ago.

-Would you... This is ridiculous.

-Look, there's no need to panic.

-Right.

Came as fast as I could.

Scoot.

-Oh.

-Ash, do you know what's wrong with our toaster?

-Dennis red flagged... -He red flagged it.

-What?

-Because it's electrical.

-Yeah.

That's how toasters work.

-Improperly earthed, Natalie.

-We have been using it for months.

-Well, Dennis knew a man who used one of these for years and then one day, boom, power surge.

-Burnt toast?

Month in hospital.

-What's happened to our knives?

-Cutting hazard.

-Cutting hazard.

-They're knives.

-Dennis knew a bloke who reached into a drawer... and severed a finger.

-Right through.

-Blood everywhere.

-It starts so well.

-It really does.

-"This paper explains how the Government is investing in Australia's defense capabilities to strengthen our security in the years ahead."

-Straight out of the blocks!

-So where's the problem?

-From there on.

-We all agree this is a landmark document.

-Absolutely.

-A real blueprint for national security.

-A blueprint the Government doesn't understand.

-Any chance you could give us a bit of a dummies guide?

-Just a couple of talking points for the PM by the end of the week.

-Well, it's only 200-odd pages.

Should be pretty straightforward.

-Good man.

-Great.

-I think he's being sarcastic.

-Yeah.

-Which bit?

-Just then.

-[ Both groan ] -You need to warn us if you're doing that.

-I agree.

-I told you.

I don't know anything about defense.

-But we're not after detail.

Just a broad sense of what this thing's all about.

-Anything in particular?

-Alright, let's take Chapter 2.

-The Strategy and Security Environment.

Yep?

-What does that mean?

-The chapter?

-Yep.

While you're in there, Chapter 3?

-Australia's Strategic Defense Framework... -See, I had issues with 4.

-I think you'll find everything, ah, you know, pretty modern building, Dennis.

-I knew a bloke, car dealer.

-Yep.

-Moved into a brand-new showroom.

Told me he didn't need an audit.

-Uh-huh.

-But it turns out the bracket of one of his AC units was faulty.

Long story short, two weeks later, there's a customer in the showroom.

Bang.

-Killed him?

-Just missed.

Oh, so a happy ending.

-No, that wasn't the end of it.

Metal shards from the casing came down and... -Can we put a pin in part 2?

Um, Katie, why don't you get Dennis to have a look around the basement?

-He's already done the basement.

-Second pass, check for shards.

-Maybe level one.

-Yeah.

There.

Yeah.

-I'll go with you.

-Thank you, Brian.

Great.

[ Whispering ] We can't do this... -Tony, Nat says she's running about 10 minutes late.

-Sure.

-Oh, and we've come up with a system for e-mails.

We're just going to print the urgent ones.

-I don't need you to print them out, but... What's this?

-Urgent.

-Urgent sale, bathroom tiles.

-Are you renovating?

-It's spam.

-It said, "Dear valued customer."

-Yeah, but... I don't want junk e-mail.

I don't want group e-mails.

I don't want anything unsolicited.

Just work-related.

-Got it.

-From people I know.

-Do you know Dan?

-Dan...?

-Murphy?

-The wine merchant who died 15 years ago?

Yep, clearly a friend of mine.

-Sarcastic?

-Yep.

-I'll do a new printout.

-Thank you.

Erm, I'll just grab a short black.

-Today's bean is a single origin, shade-grown robusta from Timor Leste.

-Sounds great.

-I'll just have a Diet Coke.

-We've only got organic cola.

-Shade-grown?

-I'll check.

-No.

It's okay.

Cola's fine.

-What is spelt?

-Um, the PM's office want me to fly to Canberra.

-For a briefing?

-For a job.

-Okay.

-They just want to have a chat.

They haven't said anything officially.

-The job as... -Senior Adviser to the PM on infrastructure.

-Whoa!

That's not just a job.

-I know.

-I'm so torn.

-Really?

-Sort of.

-Leave this madhouse?

Work at the top where there's process and order and you set the rules?

-I guess.

-Hey, I don't want to lose you but Senior Adviser!

When do you head out?

-Tomorrow.

Well, you know, whatever you decide, you have my support.

-Thank you.

-It's not shade grown but it is palm oil-free.

-What is spelt?

-I'll check.

-While, much of the document remains under wraps, the paper is... -...project our force as a regional and global power... -... that's making multi-domain operations a reality in the ADF in the next 5 years.

-Sorry, guys.

One... one more minute.

-Who?

-Ray.

-Drummond.

It's a golf store.

-So, you don't know him?

-No.

-30% off putters this weekend.

-What's he doing in the documents room?

-He's worried about our filing cabinet.

-Seriously?

-What if someone got squashed in there?

You wouldn't be happy.

-If it happened right now, I would be.

-But he said if a child was in there... -What would a child be doing in there?

Dennis knew a bloke once who brought his son in on a Sunday... Does he get paid by the anecdote?

Is it okay if he does a quick assessment of your workstation?

Oh, that'd be wonderful.

-Sarcastic?

-Yeah, he's not to come near my office.

Come on in, guys.

-Dennis, we can go down.

-Let's get into this.

-Let's do it.

-Sure.

-Alright.

So, what did you think of the old Defence White Paper?

-Very impressive.

-Very.

-A real blueprint.

-Comprehensive stuff.

-Um... did you understand it?

-No.

I didn't.

-No, I struggled as well.

-You read it all?

-Oh, yeah.

-Twice.

-What are the highlighted bits there?

-Oh, they're the bits I didn't understand.

-Right.

And what are those tabs?

-Oh, they're chapters I didn't understand.

-Yeah, but if you had to pull the whole thing together, you know, I mean how would you... how would you summarize it?

-Pretty much the way you did.

-I just made a hand movement.

-It felt right.

-It was definitely a start.

-Yeah.

-Okay.

So let's go through the updated system.

Someone's injured.

What do you do?

-Call an ambulance?

-No.

-Check if they're breathing?

-First things first.

You create and file an incident report.

-Oh, right.

-Okay.

-So, just log onto the page here.

You've got... date of incident, location of incident, type of incident.

There is a drop-down menu for that.

-Death, serious injury, disease.

-What's contagion?

-Just pick one.

-Serious injury.

-Perfect.

Now, hit submit.

[ Mouse clicks ] Job done.

-What about the injured person?

-What about them?

-Like, if they needed medical assistance?

-Ah!

Oh, I see what you're saying.

Okay.

Create a new file.

Agency initially contacted.

Paramedics?

-Via?

-Triple 0?

-Can I check if they're breathing?

-Er, not yet, darlin'.

"Defense will have enhanced capabilities to make meaningful contributions to operations addressing shared regional security..." See, I... Now, this is crazy.

We've all read it.

It's been written by experts.

30,000 feet.

What is this paper saying?

Well, the thrust seems to be we need to recalibrate our defense posture as we pivot to the Asia-Pacific Sphere.

-I think you're right.

-Oh, and what does that mean?

-I have no idea.

-Me neither -- Can I borrow your highlighter pen?

-Alright, come down to 20,000 feet.

What is the clear aim that emerges from this White Paper?

To strengthen our critical capabilities within existing regional alliances.

-Yeah.

Meaning?

-Try 10,000 feet.

-What is one clear recommendation in this document?

-That we should spend 2% of our GDP on defense.

-Because?

-It's highlighted after that.

-Someone's got to understand this stuff.

[ Mid-tempo rock music plays ] -No.

-But isn't this work-related?

-I'm working on a Defence White Paper.

-But it says "Army."

-Disposals.

Superstore sale.

-Oh.

I just saw the camouflage.

-Yeah.

Oh, God.

Here's fun.

-Sarcastic?

-Yeah.

-I'm getting better.

-Come on in.

-So... -Let's have a seat.

I thought we'd do it here.

-Did you have a look?

-Yeah.

-Great.

-We all did.

-Okay.

This is what we wanted to hear.

-Good news.

-And?

-I don't follow it.

-What?

-Sorry, we don't follow it.

-Which bit?

-All of it.

-Well, how's that good news?

-I mean, did you get a general sense of what it's saying?

-Well, that we need to spend 2% of our GDP on defense.

-Well, there you go.

-Being too hard on yourself.

-But it's not clear why.

-Maybe we don't need to say why.

-Just that we're spending.

-We're muscling up.

We're hawks.

Keeping the ANZAC spirit alive.

-Have you been to a focus group?

-Yes.

Of real Aussies.

Proud Aussies.

-Mm.

So what are we buying?

-Ships?

A couple of new subs?

-What?

-Those are multibillion-dollar investments.

-Gut feeling.

-Blink reaction.

-What's in the shopping cart?

-I don't think we can... [ Alarm beeping ] -What?

Hang on.

What's going on?

-Sorry about that.

-What's going on?

-Dennis is testing our duress alarm.

-Could you guys hear that in there?

-Yes.

Very, very clearly.

-They can hear it!

-Sorry, why are we testing our duress alarm?

-Dennis knew a lady who stayed back late... -An anecdote.

Thanks.

That's okay.

I'll just... Grab... Yeah... In a minute.

-Alright.

let's start from the beginning.

This White Paper is a visionary blueprint for Australia's defense.

-Let's start at the end -- It's an impenetrable, uncosted fence-sitting wish list.

-Shall we start in the middle?

There must be something specific we can announce.

Look.

Let me give you a hypothetical.

Two weeks from now, the PM is at the National Press Club giving his take on the White Paper.

He steps confidently up to the podium and says... -What part of that is hypothetical?

-The confident bit.

He says... "Ladies and gentlemen, Australia's number one defense priority is..." -Well... it's... is... -Somewhere in here.

-See, this is where we need a duress alarm.

[ Both sigh ] ♪♪♪ -Hi.

I'm Melanie, one of the Prime Minister's aides.

-Hi.

-And you're...?

-Nat.

-Great.

-And you're from...?

-The NBA -Great.

And, just so we can get a bit of a heads-up... -Hm.

-What are you here for?

A meeting with the Prime Minister.

-Mm-hmm, and what exactly will you be asking him?

-I'm not asking anything.

-Oh, so just a general visit?

-No, I was asked to come up.

The PM wanted to meet.

-Sorry.

Must have been a few crossed wires.

I think that's all I need.

Now, can I get you anything while you're waiting?

-Coffee?

-Sure.

We won't be long.

[ Keyboard clacking ] -What?

-You said keep e-mails from members of government.

This is from a Nigerian prince.

-It's sort of government.

He's asking for aid.

-It's a scam.

-Tony.

The brigadier's just arrived.

-Great.

-And the colonel will be here this afternoon.

-Excellent.

-So, he's fixing the light.

Foot slips, asphyxiation.

-Both: Whoa!

-Scotty?

Ash?

-You gotta tell Tony.

-I kind of need you both.

-Anyway, long story short... -Guys, now!

-Did he survive?

-Two months on a respirator.

-[ Exhales heavily ] -You really gotta tell Tony.

-Yeah, I will.

-Sorry, just dealing in with some last-minute house business.

-That's fine.

-That's for pick-up.

Now, do you have some documents for us?

-Do you mean my CV?

References?

-Might be.

I'll grab them now.

-Oh, I sent them through yesterday.

-Did you?

One second on that.

It's been crazy.

Hey, it's me.

She said she sent them through yesterday.

Yes.

To us.

To the Prime Minister's office?

-Yes.

-Yep.

That's what she says.

-Well, I'm speaking to, um... -Nat.

NBA -Someone from the NBA -Okay.

Sure.

-Everything okay?

Any chance you can have those documents sent through again?

-Um, I guess.

-Perfect.

Well, we won't be long.

Can -- Can I get you anything?

-That coffee.

-Sure.

Onto it.

-Firstly, uh, thanks so much for meeting us at such short notice.

It's not often you get a call from the PM.

-The Prime Minister rang you?

-3:00 a.m.

Seems he's taking a keen interest in this White Paper.

-I think he might be right.

-It's good to have a deep thinker on our side.

-I'm not from the Defense Department.

But you've got a defense background... -I do.

-And you briefed the Senate Standing Committee.

-I did.

-Along with Cabinet.

-Quite an honor.

-And were they up to speed, you know?

-Seemed to be.

-Well, you might have to keep it pretty simple for us.

-Happy to.

-Yeah.

Right.

Scotty, your meeting.

-Thanks, Tony.

What exactly does a pivot to the Asia-Pacific Sphere mean?

-Ah, you've put your finger on it there.

-Have I?

-That's the key.

-Nice one, Scotty.

-It's actually quite straightforward.

-Mm-hm.

-It means that within certain geopolitical zones, priorities and defense posture need a recalibration with a view to evolving regional tensions and alliances.

-Your meeting, Tony.

Could you make it even more straightforward?

It depends, of course, on whether one takes a continental or expeditionary approach to national security.

-Who's meeting is it now?

-Uh... -Actually, I made this very point to the Prime Minister.

-Oh, and what did he say?

-He nodded.

-And then?

-He just kept nodding.

-Right.

-At the end of the day, it's the instability of the rules-based global order that poses our most immediate threat.

-Oh, and when you say threat... -Well, more accurately, we're talking about vulnerabilities.

-But meaning...?

-We could easily find ourselves exposed.

To what?

-Regional actors.

-In the form of...?

-Tensions.

-Right, so we're back to tensions again, yeah.

-Well, I hope that's managed to clear things up for you.

Oh, in part, yeah, yeah.

Of course, if you want further clarification... -Yes, that'd be great.

-Oh, that'd be great.

-Just in terms of the Asia-Pacific, uh... -Pivot.

-That's the one.

Yeah.

-I would speak to one of the defense think tanks.

-Oh, great, well, we've got one lined done, so... -I'll e-mail you a list.

-Thank you again, Brigadier.

-You're welcome.

-Thank you, sir.

-Have a great day.

Thanks very much.

-There you are.

-Have you got a moment?

-When?

-Now.

-Oh, I'm a little bit busy.

-Nothing too serious at this stage.

There's a small slipping hazard in the gents.

Might need you to look into that.

Lighting in your rear corridor needs a bit of a tweak.

There's a few egress and ingress issues but I can turn a blind eye to that.

-Yeah, like I said, Dennis, new building, I think you'll find it pretty safe.

-True story -- Knew this bloke, CEO of a big organization.

Said he didn't see the need for a risk assessment.

-Sorry, is this story about me?

-Different building.

They had a faulty elevator.

CEO didn't see it as a priority.

-This is about me.

-Anyway, long story short -- -I know this story.

-Hang on, what we got here?

-Flowers?

-Hmm.

-What?

-Uh-uh.

Back.

Sorry, folks.

-Sorry about the delay.

It's been crazy.

Nat?

-Yes.

-Are you good to go?

-Sure.

I reckon half an hour, tops.

The PM's just finishing up a quick roundtable.

Have you been offered a coffee?

-Yes.

-Great.

Oh, no, I've been offered but I haven't actually got one.

-Well, I think the PM's office can manage to get a coffee.

Oh, and have you got some documents for us?

-I sent them through.

-Sorry.

It's been crazy.

And Jim rang.

He got your e-mail.

About the divot.

-The what?

-To Asia.

The pivot.

He wants to know, "Are you being sarcastic?"

-No.

-I knew it!

I'll let him know.

And are you expecting an e-mail from a brigadier?

-Yes.

Yes.

-It's spam, right?

-No.

No.

-But he tried to sell you think tanks.

-No, I need that.

-I'll get it out of junk mail.

-Yes.

And any attachments.

-Got it.

-Thank you.

-Here you go, Tony.

-Oh, thank you, Katie.

Lovely.

-Mm-hmm.

-Katie?

-Mm?

-This is barely warm.

-Do you know what temperature our hot water was set to?

-Hot?

-Dennis said it was nearly boiling.

-That's how you make tea.

-But he knew a man once who was -- -Katie, not an anecdote.

-Long story short, three months in the burns unit.

-Can you microwave that?

-Unh-unh.

It wasn't earthed properly.

-Okay.

-Sorry about the wait.

-I think we're ready to go now.

[ Cellphone chiming ] -[Bleep] -Yeah.

We need to jump on this.

Just found out.

-Is he in?

-Go straight through.

-Give us 10.

Can we get you another coffee?

Go straight through.

What was I saying?

-Coffee.

-I mean, it's a pretty complex document, especially for those of us without a military background.

-I quite understand.

I'm not army, myself.

-Now, that is an accident waiting to happen.

-That bolt's come loose.

-Sorry, guys, can we just grab the boardroom for 10 minutes?

-Uh, sure.

You'll have to stay down that end of the room.

-Yeah.

Fine.

-Yeah, better to be safe than sorry.

Dennis knew a bloke once -- -Sorry, Brian, I'm going to have to jump on this.

Yeah.

-Alright.

-Just 10 minutes.

Navigating through the White Paper is not a -- not an easy task.

Anyway, we were just hoping you could help.

-That is what the Defense Policy Institute is all about.

Demystifying it all.

-That is what we're after.

-Okay.

At the end of the day, when you boil it down, Defense has some very simple objectives.

-Great.

-Excellent.

-One.

-Yeah?

Assessing geopolitical alignments and pivots.

Two, identifying inter-regional tensions and the security challenges.

And three, enabling force projection to meet capability needs.

-Yep.

-Ooh.

Uh, Ash's meeting, Tony.

-Oh, I see.

-If you had to have a fourth objective?

[ Door opens ] -Okay.

It's...?

-Nat.

-And you're applying for the special advisory role?

-Actually, I was asked to -- -What's your speciality?

-Infrastructure.

-Do you know anything about agricultural policy?

-A little.

-In terms of nitrogen run-off impacting sea water quality?

We're a little short-staffed.

-I haven't actually got the job yet.

-We just need a couple of recommendations.

-You want a briefing paper?

-Could you?

-I-I guess I could try.

-Yep.

She's on to it now.

Three pars, some talking points and a couple of recommendations.

-Sure.

-You're a lifesaver.

-To be frank, Colonel, not the easiest tome to read.

-It's a very deep and forward-looking examination.

-So we thought we'd turn to you for some practical perspective.

-Happy to help.

-Okay.

Ash, your meeting.

-At the end of the day, I guess we have to buy something.

-Indeed.

-So let's take the simplest examples.

-Mm-hmm.

-Say we bought some ships.

-Assets.

-Can I call them ships?

-It's pretty broad.

-Big ships?

-Okay, specifically.

-Your meeting, Tony.

-Let's pick aircraft carriers.

-So you're looking for a force multiplier?

-No.

An aircraft carrier.

-I see what you are getting at.

-Yeah, trying to buy an aircraft carrier.

Okay.

In the simplest terms, why would we buy an aircraft carrier?

-To multiply our strategic capabilities.

-But presumably in order to defend ourselves.

-Oh, I see where you're heading.

-In the right direction?

-Forced posture, interoperability.

-Meaning... -Military cooperation with another country.

-Well, I understand that.

-So do I.

-Oh, what did I miss?

-So we're cooperating with another -- Well, let's pick a country.

-New Zealand.

-They don't have carriers.

-Well, they can land on ours.

-They don't have fighters.

-Okay, forget New Zealand.

-Should we pivot to Asia?

-Let's come at this another way.

Help me finish the sentence.

"We need to buy more..." -Procure.

-Procure more ships and planes in... -Assets.

-We need to procure more assets in order to simply... -Ensure our future power projection capabilities align with our strategic challenges.

-Yeah, not as simple as I... -I got "future."

-Now, if there's anything further you require, feel free to contact me.

Thank you so much for coming in.

-Trevor will see you out.

Okay.

-Thank you.

-You're still here.

-Yeah.

-Did Lachlan not speak to you?

-About the agriculture statement?

-The what?

-He asked for a briefing document.

I just sent it through.

-Oh, was that yours?

-We don't need it now.

-What?

-Sorry.

It's been crazy today.

How long are you in town for?

-Today.

-Oh.

Do you have to leave?

-You flew me up for a quick chat with the PM.

-So, any chance we could do it first thing in the morning?

-I'm on a 6:30 flight.

-Could you stay over, meet tomorrow?

-It'd have to be early.

-Say 2:00?

-Early?

[ Cellphone vibrates ] -Oh, that's Lachlan now.

Hey, it's me.

I'm with, uh... -Nat.

-Nat from the NBA.

She wants to reschedule.

-I'm not the one that wants to.

-Yep.

-No, no, she says 2:00 is too late.

1:30?

-You know what?

Ah, I'll... I'll fly back up tomorrow.

-Great.

Oh, and did you ask for some agriculture thing?

Yeah, I didn't think so.

-Defense analysts have been quick to praise the Rolling Acquisition Program... -We need to pivot our interchange... -To mark strategic long-term integrated planning.

-Oh, we thought it was spam.

-It was from the Treasurer.

-It said "sale."

-Of a port.

Can you get back in touch with him?

-You've unsubscribed.

-Ring him.

-Sure.

Just a reminder, Jim and Rhonda will be in at 10:00 and Nat had to go back to Canberra.

-Wow, they're getting serious.

-And have you a moment for Dennis?

-No.

-He just needs to hand over the new risk register.

-He can leave it on your desk.

-And then he'll be gone.

-Two minutes, no anecdotes.

-So I've ranked each hazard in terms of likelihood and likely consequence.

-Sounds logical.

Yep.

-Hence back injury from incorrect sitting posture is likely but relatively mild in terms of impact.

-Whereas, say, a tsunami would be... -That's page 32, I think.

-Yep, there it is.

-Severe to catastrophic outcome.

-But again, unlikely.

-Interesting.

I was doing a job in the Solomon Islands once.

-Does this involve a tsunami?

-I'll get to that.

-Tea, Dennis?

-Yeah, lovely.

Anyway.

So we are in Honiara.

You been there?

-No.

-It's beautiful.

-Uh-huh.

Wow, here it is.

All done.

I will get Katie to put it in its rightful place beside the old one.

-Replacing.

-Replacing the old one is what I meant to say.

Is what I -- Yeah.

Is something wrong?

-Oh, I just worry I might have missed something.

-Shall we have another look around?

-No, no.

It's all in here, ranked, graded and color-coded.

[ Elevator bell dings ] Oh, here's your lift.

-Thanks, Tony.

Bye, Katie.

-See ya, Dennis.

-Yeah.

Thank you, Dennis.

-You know there's a light out in here.

-Shall I get him back?

-No.

-What do you mean, you still don't understand it?

-No one seems to.

I mean, all this extra spending.

What's it actually for?

-Listen.

This is not the time for your dove-ish sentiments.

Let's stay on Team Australia.

-Another focus group?

-Should Australia increase its defense spending?

73% strongly agree.

-It's already $30 billion a year.

-We cut one cent from this budget, we could be attacked overnight.

-By who?

-The Opposition.

-Thought you said he was across this.

[ Cellphone chimes ] -Take it.

-Ah, it's the PM.

He's getting edgy.

-I hate to break it to you guys.

-Can I at least send an emoji?

A thumbs-up?

Okay?

This one?

-All these experts, no one can identify a single enemy.

-I can.

You.

With your pacifist rhetoric, trampling all over the legacy of our Diggers.

-I'm not trampling over Diggers.

-Tony?

That colonel just sent an e-mail.

-Yeah.

-Listing our defense priorities.

-Great.

This actually might help.

-We printed the attachments.

-Attachments or links?

-Is there a difference?

Is one of them an encyclopedia?

-Do you need the references printed?

-No.

No, I'm fine.

-Phew, 'cause we're running out of toner.

-Okay.

Just leave it.

[ Sighs ] -One more meeting?

-Yeah.

[ Cellphone chimes ] Oh.

Sad emoji.

-Nat.

Finally.

-Would you like a coffee?

-Oh, I brought my own.

-Well, let's head in.

-A lot calmer today.

-Wow.

-I know.

Still gives me a thrill.

You ready to go?

-Sure.

-I'll get the Prime Minister.

-He's not here?

-Had to head to Melbourne.

-I just came from Melbourne.

-Really?

-Hi.

It's me.

Is the boss ready?

Okay.

Ah, how long will that be?

Oh.

-Are you here tomorrow?

-Thanks everyone for coming in at such short notice.

I thought the best way to proceed was to get everyone in the one room.

-Good thinking.

-Okay?

Yeah, right.

I'll come straight to the point.

This White Paper is recommending we spend close to $400 billion over the forward estimates.

Now, at some point the PM is going to be asked a very simple question.

"In order to protect us from which enemy?"

-It's...so hard to say.

-$400 billion.

Pick one.

-A regional player.

-Specifically, Colonel.

-An Indo-Pacific regional player.

-More specifically.

-Indo-Asia-Pacific.

-That's broader.

Who are you leaving out?

-Europe?

-Yeah, I sort of need a country.

-Or an unaligned player.

-No.

A country.

-One that might threaten us.

Just one.

-Yeah.

-I wouldn't want to raise tensions.

-Where?

-In this room.

-You know what?

I'll name one and you just nod.

China.

Yeah?

Okay.

And what exactly are we protecting?

-Strategic interests.

-Specifically, Colonel.

-Indo-Pacific strategic interests.

-Again, Brigadier, really specifically.

-Indo-Asia-Pacific strategic interests.

-You know what?

I'll say it and then you nod.

Our trade routes?

Yeah?

And who is our number-one trading partner?

-Shall we use a nod system?

-Sure.

China?

Yeah.

So under this scenario, we're spending close to $30 billion a year to protect our trade with China...from China.

And that doesn't strike anyone at this table as odd?

[ Telephone rings ] Katie told me you were back.

When'd you get in?

-Last night.

Grab a seat.

-Yeah.

So... Did they offer you the job?

-They did.

-So... -You know what?

I'm quite happy to stay where I am.

-Really?

-Mm-hmm.

-Wow.

-Here you go, Tony.

-Thank you.

Oh, I got you one.

Well, I'm intrigued.

Any particular reason?

-Ah... ♪♪♪ ♪♪ -But first tonight, the Prime Minister releases his long-awaited Defence White Paper, promising to muscle up in Australia's pivot to Asia.

This recalibration... ♪♪♪ -What are you doing?

What are you doing?

-Sorry?

-What's going on?

-I'm shredding.

-Yeah, but why are you dressed like that?

-Dennis knew a woman who... -Sorry, does this involve a laceration, an amputation, or a burn?

-Have you heard it?

♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪