Sky News contributor Stephen Conroy says Australia "is clearly" looking underprepared for any sort of tension in and around the South China Sea.
Mr Conroy discussed the selection of Peter Dutton as Defence Minister following a Cabinet reshuffle.
"If there was one really important thing for Australia, I think that Dutton being in there now will send a very, very strong message," Mr Conroy told Sky News host Peta Credlin.
"He needs to get on top of a number of issues."