Peter Dutton appeared to suggest he would be willing to send Australian troops to fight and die over Taiwan.
After a hawkish speech about the threat posed by China, the Defence Minister was asked whether ADF parents can expect their children will be 'going to Taiwan to fight and perhaps die'.
The minister did not directly answer the question but said it would be 'disastrous' for Australia if it did not support the US in a potential conflict with China.
Peter Dutton (pictured today) has warned Chinese missiles can reach every Australian city in a hawkish speech about Beijing's growing military power
'I would say to those parents that we stand up for the values that their forebears have stood up for and that we, as a country, have always stood up for,' he told the National Press Club.
'And we'll do it with a capacity, capability and might that's respected around the world and that makes us a valuable partner with those great friends.
'And if we're a weak and unreliable and untrustworthy friend, then we won't expect the support of those countries and, in particular the United States, into the future and I think that would be disastrous for not just this generation but for generations of mums and dads and members of the ADF and we should be very honest about that.'
Earlier this month Mr Dutton warned it would 'inconceivable' for Australia not to join its most important ally, the US, in a war over Taiwan.
China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to take it by force if necessary while Taiwan says it is an independent country and will defend its freedoms and democracy.
The US has followed a position of 'strategic ambiguity' meaning it does not make clear whether it would support Taiwan but at the same time sells arms to the island.
Mr Dutton made his comment after former Prime Minister Paul Keating said Australia should stay out of any war.
'Taiwan is not a vital Australian interest,' he told the National Press Club earlier this month.
'We have no alliance with Taipei, none. Australia should not be drawn in my view into a military engagement over Taiwan, US-sponsored or otherwise.'
Also in his hawkish speech, Mr Dutton warned Chinese missiles can reach every Australian city.
The Defence Minister said China has the largest navy in the world, made up of 355 ships and submarines and also warned of its growing nuclear capability.
'Over the next decade, China's nuclear warhead stockpiles, estimated to be in the 200s last year, is projected to reach between 700 and 1,000 warheads,' he told the National Press Club.
'Every major city in Australia, including Hobart, is within range of China's missiles.'
His remarks came after it was revealed a Chinese spy ship
