Defence spending boost is a priority for nation’s future

US under secretary of defence for policy nominee Elbridge Colby has stated that Australia needs to lift defence spending to at least 3 per cent of GDP (“Marles targets defence spending”, 6/3). The recent visit of Chinese warships to our coastline confirms the urgency of this advice.

In view of our sluggish economy and significant debt, the suggestion of opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie of a solution via US access to Australia’s rare earths resources is timely. Such a suggestion no doubt will be resisted by the current government, which routinely opposes mining of this country’s rich mineral resources.

Vicki Sanderson, Cremorne, NSW

Am I alone in my cynicism regarding the much-hyped AUKUS deal, which is spruiked by many on both sides of the political divide as the answer to Australia’s lamentable capacity for self-defence?

First there’s the absurd time­frame, although the optimist may believe the nuclear-powered subs can be ready in time for World War IV.

Then there’s the delusion that our naval construction industry will be up to the task of bolting together the most complicated machine on Earth. Then there’s the concern that we may never have enough submariners to get a single boat out of the pen.

And then there’s President Donald Trump.

K. MacDermott, Binalong, NSW

Like Peter Jennings, I watched Donald Trump’s address to congress (“A tough speech reveals a chance for AUKUS”, 6/3).

There was the standard bombast from the President but, as Jennings observed, there was also an unswerving determination to stay true to his promises at the election to cut government spending, impose tariffs, secure the southern border and encourage America’s allies to do more to protect their security.

That Trump didn’t directly reference Australia is encouraging. He remains directly focused on countries that have a trading surplus with the US and we don’t fit the category.

He was particularly scathing of South Korea, a country that is contracted to the US to repair, maintain and overhaul US naval ships. Therein lies Australia’s opportunity. Jennings also notes that the Democrats are in disarray. In the chamber, their diversity, equity and inclusion instincts were on full display: a menagerie of women in pink, men in black and a mixture of both wearing blue and gold.

Trump and the Republicans are ascendant right now but their greatest challenge remains to lower the cost of living.

Kim Keogh, Claremont, WA

While Liberals have always prioritised defence spending, it is disgraceful that it has taken a number of global exposures to shame Labor governments into recognising our national security and sovereignty, both at risk under the current government.

Anyone can see our country has been under assault at home and abroad, with the final shame being the fact a Virgin Australia airline pilot had to release the warning that the Chinese naval fleet was using live fire while circumnavigating Australia.

Every time we have the misfortune to have a Labor government in power, we are faced with ineptitude in defence, security, economy, housing and the cost of living contributing to plunging living standards. At the root of every competitive modern economy is the necessity of constant, reliable and affordable energy, a goal that is rendered unattainable in the Labor Party’s ideological pursuit of renewables.

And now, in a state of panic over AUKUS, Labor has been forced to face its failures.

Mary-Anne Higgins, Rose Park, SA

The federal government, pre-election, already has promised billions of dollars of taxpayer money on all and sundry, trying to ensure a Labor victory.

Add to that the billions of dollars wasted on an unreliable so-called renewable power system (no one knows the cost).

Surely the urgent finding of a few more billion dollars for the defence of our country should be no problem. There will be a real problem if this money is not made available.

As an Australian with children and grandchildren, I am asking the Labor government to get its priorities right and at least in some small way show that as a nation we are not going to be bullied.

Noel Hicks, Griffith, NSW