Quick search on the internet "Wikipedia", yeah I know, but good enough for my searching time frame:
"Since 1999 the RAAF has put its Hornets through a series of upgrades to improve their effectiveness. However, the aircraft are becoming increasingly difficult to operate and are at risk of being outclassed by the fighters and air-defence systems operated by other countries. As a result, the RAAF will begin to retire its F/A-18s in the late 2010s, and the last aircraft will leave service in the early 2020s. Under current Australian Government planning they will be replaced by 72 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighters."
I'm sure we can find a better aircraft.  This happens every time we have a change in government.  Canada's defence gets tossed to the gutter for political points and it's B.S.
Can our political parties not for once put Canada first and their own party system second?  Our political party system is broken.