Expert warns Australia can't rely on US in China attack

Australia can no longer rely on the United States to defend it in the region, Sam Roggeveen says. (Albert Perez/AAP PHOTOS)

The United States will not "have enough skin in the game" to send troops to defend Australia in the event of an attack from China, a leading international security expert has warned.

Sam Roggeveen, director of the Lowy Institute's International Security Program, also said the anti-immigration policies being touted by both major parties, as well as One Nation, would weaken Australia's position on the global stage.