Former defence force chief Angus Houston insists Australia won't have a problem calling the US out if things go off the rails in the unpredictable Trump era.
Sir Angus made the case for retaining the US-Australia security alliance despite the uncertainty posed by President Donald Trump, during an address to the National Press Club in Canberra on Tuesday.
He characterised the alliance as an insurance policy without substitute, however it didn't mean Australia had to "slavishly follow everything the United States does".
"We are not people who just go along and say, 'Yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir'," he said.
"When things are not going the way they should, we call it out."
He reflected on his own "robust discussions" over operational issues with US military counterparts that had no bearing on the alliance as well as America's respectful handling of Australia's troop withdrawal from Iraq upon the election of the Rudd government.
Sir Angus acknowledged the need for some awareness raising on the ANZUS treaty so the Australian public understood its significance and enduring nature beyond individual administrations.
He pointed to the recent 75th anniversary of the "blackest period of our history" - the fall of Singapore during the Second World War, attacks on Darwin, and America coming to the rescue - which paved the way for the formal alliance.
"It has been the cornerstone of our defence policy ever since," Sir Angus said.
Australia would have to increase its defence spend to three to four per cent of national income if it pulled out of the alliance, which would have implications for spending in other areas such as health and education, he said.
The federal government aims to build the defence budget to about half this level, at two per cent of gross domestic product, by 2020-21.
Australian National University's Rory Medcalf argued Australia should plan communication strategies with other US allies and south-east Asian nations when trying to influence US foreign policy direction.
"We could actually try to speak with one voice with other powers like Japan, India and others," Prof Medcalf said.
Australia must make use of its squad of "cheerleaders" in Washington to put the nation's interests to the new administration.
There was also merit in reviving a forum between Australia, Japan, India, and the US, Prof Medcalf argued.
The Rudd government pulled out of the grouping in 2008 because it was worried about upsetting China.
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