Coalition Promises Billions in Defense Spending Boost, Cites China and Global instability
PERTH, Australia (archyde.com) – Opposition Leader Peter Dutton unveiled a plan early Wednesday to significantly increase Australia’s defense spending, pledging an additional $21 billion by 2030 if the Coalition wins next month’s election. Speaking in the key electorate of Swan in Perth, dutton framed the proposed investment as a necesary response to growing global instability and the rising influence of China.
“What we announce today is a record investment into defense which will be of particular benefit here in West Australia, South Australia and other defense hubs around the country,” Dutton told reporters.”Australia has an significant role to play on the global stage and in our own region but most importantly, a good Australian government will always invest into keeping us safe.”
Dutton explicitly linked the proposed defense boost to China’s ambitions in the region, especially regarding Taiwan. “Well, China is, as you know … under the CCP, is a very different country and has ambitions in relation to Taiwan, and a naval blockade in the region is not out of the thinking of the defense experts. Let’s be frank about it,” he said.
Though, Dutton emphasized that the increased spending was not solely focused on China. He cited the ongoing conflict in ukraine and the potential for further Russian aggression as contributing factors. “It’s the fact that when you look at what’s happening in Europe, the prospect of Russia emboldened going into countries beyond the Ukraine in Europe, that has NATO countries deeply concerned at the moment, and as you know, in Germany and Italy and other countries, they’re ramping up their defence investment,” dutton added.
Shadow defence Minister Andrew Hastie, also speaking at the Perth event, echoed Dutton’s concerns about the evolving geopolitical landscape. He accused the current Labor government of weakening Australia’s defenses in the face of rising threats.
“We’ve seen the rise of authoritarian powers. We’ve seen war in Ukraine. We’ve seen war in the Middle East. We’ve seen Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis creates strategic disorder which affects our important lines of trade. And we are growing weaker under this Labor government,” hastie said. “They’re cutting and weakening this country and that’s why this declaration is so critically important.”
The Coalition’s announcement comes amid increasing debate about Australia’s defense posture in a region marked by growing tensions. The promise to bolster defense spending is highly likely to be a key battleground in the upcoming election.
However, Dutton faced immediate questions about how the Coalition would fund the proposed $21 billion increase. He declined to offer specific details, stating that the party would assess the financial situation closer to the election before finalizing its plans. He also indicated that previous spending commitments, such as the fuel excise cut, were not necessarily guaranteed.
“We have no commitments in relation to that recurrent spend and the reason in part that we’ve left to a later point in the campaign the announcement is to get a better of where finances are and how much money we can put into defence,” dutton said.
Senior Coalition figures continued to press the attack on the Albanese government’s defense record throughout the day. Senator Michaelia Cash called into question Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s commitment to national security.
“He needs to be asked why over the last three years he has taken $80 billion out of defence. He needs to be asked why a Chinese vessel literally did a lap of australia and he had nothing to say about it other than almost ‘she’ll be right’,” Cash told reporters.The Coalition’s proposed defense spending increase is certain to draw a sharp response from the Labor government,setting the stage for a contentious debate on national security leading up to the election.
