Countering ‘radically different’ security threats will come at a price
Australia can no longer rely on the tyranny of distance, or just the Americans, to protect it from threats. Responding to that realisation will cost money.
When Tony Abbott came to power in 2013, he pledged that within a decade, Australia’s defence spending would reach 2 per cent of GDP and stay there.
After successive cuts during the Rudd-Gillard years resulted in that ratio falling to 1.56 per cent, Abbott’s pledge was more than just being hairy-chested about who could buy the most ships, planes and guns.
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Phillip Coorey is the political editor based in Canberra. He is a two-time winner of the Paul Lyneham award for press gallery excellence. Connect with Phillip on Facebook and Twitter. Email Phillip at pcoorey@afr.com
