Peta Credlin: Appoint former PMs so slow-moving defence machine knows we won’t cop delays
While ministers trumpet record defence spending, Australia's military faces a perfect storm: soaring costs, project delays, and a budget that can't keep pace, writes Peta Credlin.
In the build-up to Anthony Albanese’s meeting with Donald Trump, the federal government made at least two multibillion-dollar commitments in a bid to look serious on defence.
There was $2bn for more missiles and $12bn for naval shipbuilding and submarine maintenance facilities, south of Perth.
Yet, as is so often the case with a government that’s better at making announcements than getting things done, none of this will increase defence spending in the near future – that’s still stuck at scarcely 2 per cent of GDP.
Indeed, within 24 hours of the Prime Minister’s escape from a presidential rebuke over inadequate spending, it became obvious how much our current defence capability is being compromised to pay for defence capability that’s a decade away.
Reports have emerged that Defence is being ordered to delay projects, slash maintenance costs and cut workforce spending in a severe austerity drive, because the soaring costs of nuclear submarines and new frigates have cannibalised its already underweight budget.
So much for the Albanese government’s claim to be making the “biggest ever” peacetime increase in Australia’s defence spending.
There are three problems. Firstly, we simply don’t spend enough on the armed forces. Two per cent of GDP should become 3 per cent pretty much immediately.
Secondly, everything is much more expensive than it should be. For instance, Australia’s Hunter-class frigates are slated to cost almost $6bn each – that’s four times the cost of the comparable US ship.
And thirdly, everything takes much longer than it should. For instance, the Morrison government first announced a plan to make missiles in Australia in early 2021 – yet the first new factory is not expected to be operational until at least 2027.
The problem in defence procurement is that long lead times don’t go well with our short parliamentary terms – and even shorter stints for defence ministers.
Retired commanders often become consultants to defence contractors dealing with former subordinates who once used to salute them. It’s a complacent insiders’ club more concerned to keep the gravy train flowing than urgently re-equipping battle-ready armed forces with the latest innovations.
So, here’s a suggestion: Why not establish a three-person defence acquisitions board comprising two former PMs and one industrialist – not to make decisions (that should properly stay only with elected MPs) but to make sure the decisions get done. Give this board the powers of a royal commission to interrogate officials and demand information and make them report to parliament.
We are spending billions and not getting what we paid for. All the while, the defence machine knows ministers – and governments – will change, and they will get cover for underperformance. So, let’s put them under pressure with former PMs that defence knows won’t cop their delays – or their BS.
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Originally published as Peta Credlin: Appoint former PMs so slow-moving defence machine knows we won’t cop delays
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