Richard Marles (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for her question and acknowledge her service in the Australian Army.

Last month the National defence strategy, which was part of the budget, provided for an increase in defence spending of $53 billion over the decade and $14 billion over the forward estimates. We are spending more on defence in the medium term, more over the forward estimates and more right now. Indeed, in this financial year, 2025-26, we've increased defence spending by $4.3 billion this year alone. That represents the biggest acceleration of defence spending in a single year in our country's history. That means that, right now, we are increasing the capability of our P-8 aircraft, our most important anti-submarine warfare capability.

We're investing in counter unmanned aerial systems for the Australian Army, which in turn forms part of a broader $12 billion to $15 billion allocation for drone and counter drone technology over the coming decade. We're increasing the capability of our airfields, which was identified as a priority by the Defence Strategic Review, and we are immediately uplifting the capability of the Defence Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation. All of this is a reflection of the strategic urgency of the moment. This is historic levels of real money being spent on real capability as we speak.

All we're hearing in response from the coalition are tired, old, recycled lines—thought bubbles about new capabilities which go absolutely nowhere. They're getting themselves lost in accounting rabbit holes and, ultimately, what their defence policy amounts to is the assertion of a single number. But, just as in the election campaign, when they are asked to identify what they're spending money on, they are utterly unable to nominate a single defence capability. It is completely hopeless, because, given the difficulty that our nation faces at the moment, the sad truth is that, when it comes to defence policy, the Liberals are not even on the park. As such, they are most definitely selling Australians short.

The Albanese government is going to continue to build our nation's defences. We are going to continue to be focused on defence policy detail, because it actually matters. In the process, we are greatly increasing the capability of our defence force to keep Australians safe.

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