OPINION | Crisis in Middle East exposes Australia's maritime vulnerability

The next step is to better protect Australia’s ports and coastline, and to stop using the navy as our default maritime police force. A serious coast guard would help do both.

The Defence Strategic Review argued that Defence should not be the default responder to domestic crises, yet at sea, the navy still carries much of the burden for border protection and enforcement.

In a serious crisis, disruption to shipping, illegal activity and risks to critical infrastructure will increase, not diminish. A properly structured coast guard should carry this burden so the navy can focus on protecting trade and operating forward.

Establishing a coast guard would also allow fragmented maritime responsibilities, including search and rescue now led by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, to be better coordinated.