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Ed Shann

Australia needs to fund higher defence spending. Here are the options

This is urgent given we cannot defend ourselves at present and may no longer be able to rely on the Americans.

President Donald Trump has made it clear that the US will no longer fund a large share of Western defence spending while its allies underspend. Europe is probably the worst offender given its proximity to Russia.

Australia, regardless of Trump, needs to spend more on defence because we are so exposed to Chinese bullying. First, there were Chinese tariffs on our exports and now armed Chinese navy ships are sailing around our coast.

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Dr Ed Shann is an independent economist.

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    Original URL: https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/australia-needs-to-fund-higher-defence-spending-here-are-the-options-20250310-p5liah