Aussies back defence investment as China fears grow

Australians have overwhelmingly backed a major boost to the nation's defence capabilities amid escalating concerns about regional security threats.

More than 90 per cent of Australians think the nation should be investing more in defence while half are concerned by China’s expansion in the Asia Pacific.

The readers poll is part of this masthead’s Back Australia campaign, which aims to turbocharge Australian industry and boost the purchase of Australian goods.

About 93 per cent of poll respondents said Australia should be spending more on defence, including the purchase of drones and autonomous weaponry.

Only two per cent said defence spending should stay the same while one per cent said defence spending should decrease. About four per cent said they were unsure.

One commenter said deterrence was the best defence. “Australia needs a world-leading defence capability and very strong regional alliances,” she said.

About 93 per cent of poll respondents said Australia should be spending more on defence, including the purchase of drones and autonomous weaponry such as the Ghost Shark. Picture: NewsWire/Nikki Short

Want to read more of the stories you love on one of our state news websites? Click here to sign up for a free trial and access 12 locked articles on web over 12 weeks. Limits and T&Cs apply.

Another reader said the war between Russia and Ukraine had shown the future of warfare was in drone technology.

“We need to develop a defence method very quickly and that’s not a $1m missile or chase them with a $35m aircraft,” he said.

“Further to our banking, electricity, water, defence assets, communication, food supply, medical and so on are all driven by software and open to cyber attacks. Imagine if tomorrow none of that worked.

“This all takes money and lots of it.”

When asked what defence issues were most concerning, 58 per cent of readers chose China’s expansion in the Asia Pacific region.

About seven per cent chose the war between Russia and Ukraine, three per cent said the AUKUS deal and one per cent said the Gaza war. About 31 per cent said they were concerned by all listed defence issues.

This article is part of the Back Australia series, which was supported by Australian Made Campaign, Harvey Norman, Westpac, Bunnings, Coles, TechnologyOne, REA Group, Cadbury, R.M.Williams, Qantas, Vodafone and BHP.

Originally published as Aussies back defence investment as China fears grow