Pat Conroy, Australia's defence industry minister, is set to tell the National Press Club that Labor is the true party of defence and national security, rolling out a concept he calls 'progressive patriotism.' It's a bold pitch, especially given that audits have conveniently revealed some of the government's less patriotic spending habits. Meanwhile, in far north Queensland, a Taiwanese man has been charged over a failed people smuggling operation that ended with campers being startled by a boatload of foreign nationals landing on a remote beach. The newly arrived group reportedly stunned holidaymakers before visiting a local bakery and getting apprehended near a pub - because nothing says 'covert operation' like a post-landing pastry run. 'Progressive patriotism,' according to the Albanese government, means confidence in Australia's national project and its evolution, including strong defence investment. Apparently, it also means confidence that your people-smuggling ring won't get busted because someone wanted a meat pie.