Australia Rebuffs US Push for Higher Defense Spending, Albanese Defends Current Investment Levels

Credit: PM Anthony Albanese FB page

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended Australia's defense spending Monday, rejecting implicit criticism that the nation should dramatically increase military expenditure following a US request for allied nations to boost defense budgets to 3.5% of GDP.

Speaking during a drought relief announcement in South Australia, Albanese said Australia would continue setting its own defense priorities based on capability needs rather than arbitrary spending targets proposed by international partners.

"What you should do in defence is decide what you need, your capability, and then provide for it," Albanese told reporters. "That's what my government's doing, investing in our capability and investing in our relationships."

The prime minister's comments came after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly requested Australia increase defense spending to 3.5% of GDP during recent discussions with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. Australia currently spends 2.3% of GDP on defense, a figure Albanese said would continue rising under his government's investment plan.

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