Former Australian Labor prime minister Paul Keating’s acrimonious attack on the US policy of containment against China has kick-started a mainstream debate in Australia. This discussion might be low key for now, but as the threat of war in the Asia-Pacific region continues to grow, that is certain to change.

The prime minister and Cabinet are not required to ask for any input should they choose to go to war. An inquiry into whether Parliament should be consulted about such a consequential decision is currently underway. But despite her own party launching the inquiry, foreign minister Penny Wong has made it clear that her government will not alter its existing power to unilaterally declare war.

The very modest proposals raised at the inquiry speak to the nature of the debate. Given the subservience of both the major parties to formerly British and now US strategic hegemony, most wars have historically enjoyed bilateral support from Parliament. “Seeking parliamentary approval” in such a state of affairs would largely amount to a rubber-stamping exercise.