Australia's home affairs secretary has declared the global "drums of war" are beating and Australia must prepare for regional conflict.
Mike Pezzullo said Australia must strive for peace, but not at the cost of its liberty.
"In a world of perpetual tension and dread, the drums of war beat - sometimes faintly and distantly, and at other times more loudly and ever closer," he told staff in an Anzac Day message.
"Today, as free nations again hear the beating drums and watch worryingly the militarisation of issues that we had, until recent years, thought unlikely to be catalysts for war.
"Let us continue to search unceasingly for the chance for peace while bracing again, yet again, for the curse of war."
His comments come as Australia's relationship with China grows increasingly fractious, with Defence Minister Peter Dutton expressing concerns about Beijing's stance on Taiwan.
Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews confirmed she read the "very strong" speech in advance.
"The overarching message from government is that we need to be alert but not alarmed," she told Nine on Tuesday.
"We're obviously very conscious as a government of what is happening in the Pacific region, in particular, and we will always put Australia first, second and third."
Nationals senator Matt Canavan said there was no doubt the drums of war were beating.
"It's not clear exactly what that might mean for us but that may be a risk that a wider conflict does occur, and we should absolutely be prepared for that," he told Sky News.
"I welcome Mike Pezzullo speaking frankly from his obviously well-informed position because I do think the Australian people need a wake-up call.
"We must be ready for the worst outcome."
But Labor frontbencher Bill Shorten said Mr Pezzullo's language was inflammatory.
"By all means, we need to stand up for our trade, stand up for human rights, but language like 'drums of war', I think that is pretty hyper-excited language," he told Nine.
"I am not sure our senior public servants should be using that language because I am not sure what that actually helps, except cause more anxiety."
West Australian Premier Mark McGowan told the secretary to "tone it down".
"What good does that do, saying things like that? It's totally unnecessary," Mr McGowan told reporters.
Mr Pezzullo is widely tipped to become the next secretary of the Department of Defence.
His Anzac Day message invoked the words of two US generals and reflected on Australia's ANZUS alliance with the United States.
