Climate crisis is greatest threat to Australia’s future and security, former defence leaders warn

The climate crisis is the greatest threat to the future and security of Australians and the country is unprepared for its increasingly harsh impacts, a group of defence leaders has warned.

In a statement, to be published in a full-page advertisement in The Australian newspaper on Wednesday, senior retired defence and security personnel have called on political leaders to make the security risks posed by climate change a central issue of the forthcoming federal election.

"As ex-service members and experienced security practitioners who have witnessed up-close the devastation of war and crisis, we consider that climate change now represents the greatest threat to the future and security of Australians," the letter says.

"The first duty of government is the safety and protection of the people, but Australia has failed when it comes to climate change threats. Australia currently has no credible climate policy, leaving our nation unprepared for increasingly harsh impacts.

"We call upon all those offering themselves as political leaders in this election year to make climate change a primary focus and commit to mobilising the resources necessary to address this clear and present danger."

The statement has been issued by the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group (ASLCG) and signed by 17 senior former defence and security personnel including former defence force chief Admiral Chris Barrie and former deputy chief of the Royal Australian Air Force Air Vice-Marshal John Blackburn.

Its publication comes a week after Barrie told a conference defence personnel are not allowed to speak out on the national strategic threats posed by climate change without prior approval from the defence minister Peter Dutton's office.