Coalition’s popgun policy lacking in credible detail
The Coalition’s defence policy is remarkably thin on detail and has come too late in the campaign to make much of a difference anyway.
Defence
Policy hits the target but why did they wait so long?
The Coalition has trumped Labor on national security with an audacious plan to sharply increase defence spending to recognise the dramatic deterioration in Australia’s strategic circumstances.
Revealed: Dutton’s $21bn march to a war footing
Peter Dutton will unveil his Defence plan today, pledging to pump at least $21bn more than Labor over five years, lifting military spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030 and vowing to meet the Trump administration’s 3pc target within a decade.
PM’s ‘propaganda’ claim on Jakarta-Russia ties
Indonesia has declared it is on the verge of a major space partnership with Russia as Anthony Albanese dismissed Moscow’s growing strategic ties with Jakarta as “propaganda”.
Moscow comes mocking: Putin man’s wildcard warning to leaders
Moscow has warned Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton to stay out of its way in the Indo-Pacific, declaring Australia has ‘no cards’ to play to undermine Russia’s military co-operation with Indonesia.
Red flag on ALP’s intel iron curtain on Russia
The Coalition has accused Labor of a cover-up after it refused to grant a security briefing on Moscow’s bid to operate military aircraft out of Indonesia.
Why is Labor playing dumb on Russian plans?
Labor are making blind assurances on Russia and Indonesia that there’s nothing to see here. Don’t be fooled, don’t be reassured.
Marles making a mockery of caretaker conventions
There is no defensible basis to deny the Coalition an intelligence briefing on Russia’s interest in a military presence in Indonesia. I strongly suspect the Albanese government is trying to hide intelligence reporting.
‘Don’t take eye off opportunistic Russia’: former envoy
The nation’s former envoy to Moscow has warned that Russia was looking for opportunities to expand into the Asia-Pacific as Indonesia opened the door for visits for ‘peaceful missions’.
Indonesia ‘welcomes’ foreign militaries on ‘peaceful missions’
Indonesia’s foreign ministry speaks for the first time on Russia’s request to use a base in Papua, saying it will always ‘receive and permit’ foreign militaries on ‘peaceful missions’.
Defence treading water as costs soar
A new budget analysis reveals Labor’s claims to have massively increased defence spending are wildly overblown.
Indonesia a master of strategic ambiguity
Has Russia fallen for the subtle Indonesian art of strategic ambiguity in believing it might be in with a shot to base long-range aircraft in Southwest Papua’s Manuhua Air Force Base?
Coalition to put a rocket under defence spending with ‘significant’ boost
Peter Dutton says a Coalition government would spend more than Labor on defence and provide the money earlier.
Australia viewed as a ‘weak nation’ under Albanese: Dutton
The Opposition Leader has attacked the Prime Minister for his ‘lack of interest’ and inexperience in dealing with matters of national security.
Provocative Russian base request tests Indonesian ties
Any move by Indonesia would trash its cherished reputation as a non-aligned state, alienate close partners Australia and Japan, upset its ASEAN neighbours and open the floodgates to similar arrangements.
Political ‘clowns’ all talk on defence: former commander
Two of Australia’s most respected former military commanders have accused both sides of politics of failing to back their own warnings of urgent military threats with sufficient defence funding.
Russia’s base instinct: Shadow of Putin hangs over election
Indonesia has told the Albanese government that reports Russian aircraft would be allowed to operate from its soil were ‘simply not true’, after Moscow’s apparent bid thrust national security firmly back onto the election campaign.
Defence deficit: Coalition’s military pledge years away
Significant election pledges are threatening a substantial boost to the defence budget, amid warnings it could take a Dutton government until the early 2030s to drive military spending above 2.5 per cent of GDP.
Dutton fears for AUKUS under ALP
Peter Dutton says he holds ‘huge concern’ about the AUKUS pact under Labor, claiming former US president Joe Biden had initially been hesitant to enter the trilateral security agreement.
Ex-soldier ‘can’t recall’ day farmer shot
A senior ADF member has told a court there were few cases where photographs of an enemy killed in action would have been taken ‘in situ’.
Tariffs ‘risk damaging AUKUS with more expensive subs’
With 35 per cent of the aluminium and steel needed for the submarines coming from Canada and the EU, Australia is warned the US could face difficulties bringing them in on time and on budget.
Court draws blank on alleged SAS killing
A military veteran deployed to Afghanistan has been quizzed about his recollection of the day the crown alleges former SAS soldier Oliver Schulz unlawfully killed a local farmer, including whether he saw, or heard of, anyone planting objects on his body.
Hastie’s views on women in combat ‘untenable’
Labor says opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie should be stripped of his portfolio after he refused to walk away from past comments on women in combat roles.
Peak feeble: NZ has just schooled us badly on defence
Who could imagine the day when New Zealand is displaying more sense, seriousness and substance in defence and national security than the Australian government? Well, that day has arrived.
Experts reveal Chinese ‘spy’ ship’s interest in ocean trench off WA
Maritime security experts say the ‘most obvious’ explanation for the Chinese navy’s interest in the Diamantina Trench near WA would be to facilitate its submarine force.
Defence contractor sacked over threat to bomb Burgertory shop
A bomb threat against a pro-Palestinian activist has cost a man working for a defence firm his job.
Dutton is no ‘Bulldog’ on Port of Darwin call
So far, the opposition has been entirely reactive in this campaign. At the last election, they left their one good policy until the last minute, making it entirely ineffective politically. Will they this time do the same on defence?
Marles coy on taking over Wong’s portfolio
Richard Marles has refused to commit to serving a full term as Defence Minister if Labor wins the election amid speculation Penny Wong is planning to retire.
NASA deal a step towards Cape York space port
An agreement between Space Centre Australia and NASA could see satellites launched into space from RAAF transport planes in a key step towards an international space port in Cape York.
Dutton walks back ADF-tariffs link
Peter Dutton has been forced to clarify comments that he would use Australia’s defence relationship with the US to secure a better outcome on tariffs.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/defence/page/2