Departing Australian Defence Force chief David Johnston says Australia should plan for worst-case scenarios following a recent missile test and ongoing changes in the regional security environment. In comments reported by multiple outlets, Johnston calls for China to be less secretive about military activities that he characterises as increasingly assertive and at times dangerous. The reporting links his warning to the missile test conducted this week, presenting it as part of a broader pattern of developments that Defence leadership is monitoring. While the articles describe Johnston’s concerns about transparency and risk, they do not indicate any immediate operational change for Australia in the coverage provided. Overall, the accounts present a consistent message: Defence planning should account for the possibility of higher-than-expected risk, and greater openness from China would help reduce uncertainty in military intentions. The outlets agree on the main thrust of Johnston’s remarks—his call for worst-case preparedness and his request that China provide more visibility into its military actions—without attributing significantly different motivations or outcomes to his comments.