I believe that when the agreements were written, national security was one of the considerations. Just imagine if a real war landed on Australia's doorstep at some stage in the future. All the lawyers and accountants in the country won't be able to defend the nation then. Steel, energy, experienced workforces in the population and also the willingness to defend the nation. In this the centenary of ANZAC, take some time to reflect that a very large percentage of the total adult male population at the time volunteered to defend freedom in WW1 and the 2,000 or so that successfully defended the invasion of the nation at Kokoda too must be remembered.
Australia used to be able to make planes, ships, munitions and every aspect of defence. Now it would struggle immensely if troubles started.
