ADF’s fighting ability could be ‘degraded’ by burden of responding to natural disasters, inquiry says

ADF members prepare sandbags during floods in Victoria. A new report warns defence is too often seen as a ‘shadow workforce’ during natural disasters. Photograph: Diego Fedele/AAP

The Australian defence force’s war-fighting ability may “soon be degraded” by the increasing burden of responding to natural disasters and domestic crises, a parliamentary committee has warned.

Amid rising debate about the security threats posed by the climate crisis, a new report warns that the ADF is too often seen as a “shadow workforce”, a situation which is becoming increasingly risky.