Do we need a gun-toting army?

WE have a minister and a whole government department devoted to the principle that we need to defend ourselves.

We spend a significant percentage of our annual budget to keep thousands of young men and women under arms and we have never either discussed or thought through the reasoning for having them in the first place. There is a fundamental question that few ask – against what or whom do we need to defend ourselves?

Our traditional enemy has no further interest in conquest and the improved situation within our shores no longer calls for a heavily armed security force.