Opposition Demands Defence Spending Increase, Questions Government Implementation Ahead of Trump Summit
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Shadow Defence Minister Angus Taylor has called for defence spending to reach 3% of GDP and demanded concrete implementation plans for the AUKUS security pact ahead of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s meeting with US President Donald Trump next week, while characterizing recent government defence announcements as “rhetoric” lacking operational substance.
In an interview with Skynews , Taylor outlined specific requirements for the Monday-Tuesday Washington summit and questioned whether a series of pre-summit government initiatives—including autonomous submarine development and a Papua New Guinea security treaty—demonstrate genuine capability or diplomatic positioning.
“We’re facing the most dangerous situation in the Indo-Pacific since the Second World War,” Taylor stated. “We don’t need press releases. We need preparedness at this time.”
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Summit Requirements
The shadow minister, who represents the National Party seat of Hume in New South Wales, identified three essential outcomes Australia must secure from the Trump meeting: a joint commitment to AUKUS and the US alliance, a genuine implementation plan across all aspects of the security partnership, and defence funding reaching 3% of GDP through traditional accounting methods.
Taylor specifically rejected what he termed “Miles mathematics” and “creative accounting” approaches to meeting spending targets. “On traditional metrics, creative accounting is not the way to get to that level of funding. That’s not going to work,” he said.
The 3% GDP target would represent a significant increase from current defence spending levels. Taylor emphasized the funding must cover “the whole of our Defence Force,” not just AUKUS-related programs. “There’s no point raiding the rest of the Defence Force to fund AUKUS,” he stated. “We need to see an appropriate level of funding for the entire Defence Force.”
Defence Minister Pat Conroy, who represents the Labor seat of Charlton in New South Wales and holds portfolios for both Defence Industry and Pacific Island Affairs, is currently in Washington with Treasurer Jim Chalmers preparing for the prime ministerial visit. The government has not responded to Taylor’s specific criticisms regarding defence funding calculations or implementation timelines.
Implementation Concerns
Taylor questioned the substance behind recent government announcements, pointing to testimony during Senate Estimates hearings last week. “This government keeps saying it’s going to do things, keeps saying we’re going to have sovereign missile manufacturing, for instance, and all we saw at Estimates last week was cookbooks,” he stated.
The reference to “cookbooks” characterized what Taylor described as preliminary planning documents rather than operational manufacturing facilities or detailed implementation plans.
Taylor specifically criticized progress at Henderson, a strategically important naval facility in Western Australia designated for submarine maintenance under AUKUS and recently announced as the site for autonomous submarine development. “What we’ve seen, for instance, in Henderson, incredibly important facility in Western Australia, is just a bit of money and no clear plan,” he said.
Recent Government Initiatives
The government has announced several defence initiatives in recent weeks, including autonomous submarine technology development, infrastructure investment at Henderson, and a comprehensive security treaty with Papua New Guinea. Officials have presented these as evidence of Australia’s commitment to regional security and the AUKUS partnership.
When asked whether the PNG treaty—which provides for enhanced defence cooperation and Australian support for Papua New Guinea’s security capabilities—would be well received in Washington given the nation’s strategic position, Taylor acknowledged the possibility but returned immediately to implementation concerns.
“Look, there’s been a lot of rhetoric. I think there’s questions about whether the reality meets the rhetoric,” Taylor stated. “There’s been a lot of talk, I mean, but, you know, this government keeps saying it’s going to do things.”
The shadow minister suggested the announcements may aim to “shore up” the government’s position ahead of the Trump meeting. “If you’re serious about this, you’ve got to make it happen. It’s got to have the appropriate funding, the appropriate planning, the appropriate level of commitment, and you’ve got to make things happen.”
Alliance Credibility
Taylor emphasized that both capability and commitment determine Australia’s credibility with alliance partners. “We’ve got to get beyond the rhetoric, and I’m sure the United States will be looking to see whether this government is prepared to get beyond the rhetoric to the reality,” he stated.
The opposition has committed to the 3% GDP defence spending target if elected. Taylor reiterated this position Friday: “I know in my space, though, we’ve already announced that we will take spending to the right level, 3% of GDP. That will ensure that we can do AUKUS as well as all the other things we’ve got to do with our Defence Force to make it effective at this time and to ensure that we are not just effective but credible to our alliance partners like the United States.”
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, who holds the Defence portfolio and represents the Labor seat of Corio in Victoria, has repeatedly emphasized the government’s commitment to defence capability and alliance partnerships. The government points to increased defence spending and AUKUS progress as evidence of substantive action beyond announcements.
Meeting Significance
Despite his criticisms, Taylor acknowledged the importance of the upcoming summit. “Of course, it is an important moment. It’s taken far, far too long, but it’s very, very important,” he said, adding, “I’m barracking for Australia. I want to see those outcomes.”
The Monday-Tuesday meeting will mark a critical moment in Australia-US relations under the Trump administration. Both major Australian parties have expressed support for the AUKUS agreement, though they differ on implementation approaches and funding commitments.
Taylor’s critique suggests opposition concern that recent announcements may prioritize diplomatic optics over operational capability. His repeated references to “rhetoric” versus “reality” frame the criticism in implementation terms rather than questioning policy direction.
The shadow minister is scheduled to travel to Israel on Sunday for meetings next week, where he will assess potential Australian roles in Middle East peace stabilization efforts.
Matt Keogh, who represents the Western Australian seat of Burt for Labor and serves as Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, has not commented on the opposition’s characterization of defence announcements. Peter Khalil, representing the Victorian seat of Wills for Labor as Assistant Minister for Defence, similarly has not responded.
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