The former Home Affairs Department secretary says he would be prepared to “again serve my country” if the government asked.

Michael Pezzullo, former head of the Department of Home Affairs, has publicly expressed a strong desire for military engagement and increased defence preparedness. The article portrays Pezzullo as a controversial figure who, despite his self-image as a strategic mastermind, lacks the experience and authority to navigate actual wartime scenarios. The piece also suggests that Pezzullo's push for rearmament may be more about personal ambition than pragmatic policy. While he envisions a world challenged by scarce resources and heightened global threats, critics argue that his ideas ignore the practical limitations and institutional support required to manage such situations. The article highlights the broader debate around Australia’s defence posture and the role of former bureaucrats in shaping public discourse on national security. It emphasises that Pezzullo’s statements should be viewed in the context of his past controversies and the political landscape, rather than as concrete military strategy.