I think you're kidding yourselves if you think Australia possesses the capability to defend itself.
We might against NZ, or PNG or a small country, but IMHO we'd stand no chance against the US, China, Britain etc.
One US carrier alone would outstrip the whole of the RAAF.
We do posses some defence capability, and probably more than that of our erstwhile Kiwi friends, and probably we should have a greater capacity for self defence.
It's interesting that Helen hasn't tried to crawl up George's fundamental orrifice, and no one has attacked NZ. Our little Johnny however, is so far up there he can't clean his teeth, and surprise surprise, we've seen Aussies die in Bali and now have real security worries.
It seems to me that maybe Helen's on the correct track!