I know that and used to believe it, too! But I no longer do! I do not like it either, but IMHO it’s the state of things in Australia. Perhaps I should not be too picky as to allies, but my mind has changed toward Australia.
I still consider Australia a good and helpful ally.
“The Australian can also reveal the Abbott government is considering increasing Australia’s long-term presence in Afghanistan with the potential deployment of 200 special forces troops amid worldwide concern about the collapse of security in Iraq after the withdrawal of the US-led forces.
Membership of NATO’s Enhanced Partnership Program will give Australia permanent access to the organisation’s planning at the earliest stages of future operations and ensure an Australian presence in its governing councils. Sweden, Finland, Jordan and Georgia will also become enhanced partners.
The key topics will include Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine, the escalating Islamic State crisis across Iraq and Syria, the threat posed by foreign fighters returning from the conflict and the transition in Afghanistan.”