Federal election 2025: Labor and Coalition national security policies

From Russia trying to sneak bombers onto Australia’s doorstep to Chinese warships lurking off the vast coastline, the country is staring down uncertain times.

Russia’s request to station warplanes at an Indonesian air base has pushed national security to the top of the federal election campaign, with both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton weathering criticism over their responses

Both Labor and the Coalition have declared Australia is facing the most strategically complex period since World War II.

Conflicts in Africa, Europe and the Middle East are pressuring supply chains, driving power rivalries and testing international norms.

Closer to home, Canberra is hawkishly watching for Russia’s attempts to cosy up to Indonesia while fending off Chinese moves on Australia’s smaller Pacific neighbours.

The Chinese threat was driven home hard earlier this year when Beijing sent warships to conduct live fire drills off Australia as they circumnavigated the vast coastline.

Technology is also reshaping warfare, espionage and terrorism.

When it comes to who is doing what to keep Australians safe, here is what both major parties are pledging.

What they agree on

Port of Darwin: Both parties have pledged to get the Port of Darwin back in Australian hands. Labor has flagged it would seek a superfund to buy it back from Chinese-owned Landbridge Holdings, but not ruled out forcing a sale. Similarly, the Coalition has said it would either force a sale or forcibly take control of the port and compensate Landbridge. The 99-lease to Landbridge was greenlit by the former Turnbull-Coalition government in 2015.

Labor

Defence spending: Labor has pledged to pump at least $50.3bn into defence over the next decade, with the Prime Minister leaving the door open to further increases.

Peacekeeping in Ukraine: Mr Albanese has said he is open to discussing Australian troops in Ukraine as part of a European-led peacekeeping mission.

DeepSeek AI ban: In February 2025, the government banned DeepSeek – a Chinese artificial intelligence model – from all government systems and devices. This decision aligns with actions taken by other nations and is based on intelligence assessments on potential risks.

Defence technologies: The Albanese government has allocated funds to expedite the development of technologies aimed at countering integrated air and missile defence systems of potential adversaries.

Development of a National Food Security Strategy: Recognising the importance of safeguarding food supply chains, the government announced a $3.5m investment to create the “Feeding Australia” plan. This strategy aims to enhance the security and resilience of Australia’s agriculture and food production systems, ensuring stability in the face of potential disruptions.

Advanced defence technologies: The government is accelerating the development of technologies to counter integrated air and missile defence systems of potential adversaries. Through the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator, two Australian companies have been contracted to develop these capabilities, aligning with the ADF’s strategic priorities.

AUKUS supply chains: An additional $262m has been allocated to bolster local defence industries and develop Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine supply chain under the AUKUS partnership. This investment underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing the nation’s defence industrial base and contributing to collective security efforts with allies.

Electronic warfare: The government is funding Canberra-based companies to advance electronic warfare technologies. This initiative is part of the AUKUS Innovation Challenge and aims to produce critical capabilities for the defence forces of Australia, the UK, and the US, in a bid to deepen collaborative defence innovation.

Coalition

Defence budget boost: The Coalition’s flagship defence policy is a $21bn boost to the defence budget over the next five years, pushing total military spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP. Longer term, it would lift defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP by 2035.

Fourth F-35A squadron: At least $3bn would go toward acquiring another 28 F-35A Lightning IIs, pushing Australia’s fleet of the joint strike fighters to 100 and reversing Labor’s decision not to proceed with a fourth squadron.

Defence Capability and Acquisition Commission: The Coalition would set up a new government body to speed up acquisition and production of defence assets.

Recruitment reform: With enlistments dwindling, an elected Coalition government would look to increase ADF recruitment and retention.

Speed up AUKUS: AUKUS is often called a multi-generational endeavour, with Australia not set to get its first nuclear-powered submarines until the early 2030s. Meanwhile, the first Australian-made AUKUS boats will not be ready until the 2040s, according to current timelines. The Coalition has pledged to speed the delivery up, though it has not detailed how.

No peacekeeping in Ukraine: The Coalition has ruled out deploying Australian peacekeepers to Ukraine.

Deportation of dual citizens who commit serious crimes: Mr Dutton has suggested a referendum to alter the Constitution to allow the government to deport dual citizens who commit serious crimes.

Crack down on visa laws to prevent anti-Semitism: Mr Dutton says he will deport people found spreading anti-Semitic hate.

Increase defence spending: Following a call from top US Defence Department bureaucrat Elbridge Colby for Australia to increase its defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP, the Coalition has said it would increase the government’s share of funding if elected.

Home Affairs Reform: The Coalition will transfer responsibility for the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre and the Criminal Intelligence Agency back under the Home Affairs portfolio after they were given over to the Attorney-General under Labor.

Originally published as Federal election 2025: Labor and Coalition national security policies