I can't help but feel that too many decisions are reached at Russell Hill (and higher up the political greasy pole) more with an eye to that nice little post-retirement job working for an aircraft or arms manufacturer than to what would be the best fit for the job.
A large proportion if not all of our military commitment over the last 30 years has involved peace keeping rather than full on battle against a well-armed contemporary army. Even the current commitment to Afghanistan wouldn't fit into the 'full on' description. So if ever there was a country that needed a 'cheap and cheerful' second tier helo (like a modern Kiowa or a SuperHuey), it's Australia.
What we've bought and are buying is a crazy mix, like buying a Porsche with top of the range trim to haul the sheep carcasses up from the back paddock - or a B777 to fly 30 pax from Sydney to Dubbo four times a day.