Albo unlikely to follow Keir’s lead on defence spending amid Opposition pressure

Anthony Albanese has watered down following a UK defence overhaul, despite pressure from the Opposition.

Anthony Albanese has signalled Australia is unlikely to copy our UK allies in ramping up defence spending to the same level within two years, amid new pressure from the Opposition for Mr Albanese to follow British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s lead.

The UK Government overnight announced an overhaul of defence spending, with a goal of 2.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) going towards defence by 2027, at the same time the US pressures Australia to up spending to 3.5 per cent.

In the wake of the UK’s move, Coalition defence spokesman Angus Taylor told The Telegraph “Australia cannot afford to underinvest in our national security”.

“In the last two days it has been made clear that the global security environment requires Australia to step up,” Mr Taylor said.

Asked on Tuesday if Australia should follow its British allies’ lead in defence spending, Mr Albanese appeared to rule out hitting the same levels, saying: “The UK is in a different place from Australia”.

The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, in Perth on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire/Philip Gostelow

Mr Albanese, who said his government had already increased forward spending on defence by $10 billion, added “Our goal is to give Australia the capability that it needs”.

“We’re a sovereign nation that need(s) to have pride in our sovereignty and in our capacity to make decisions in our national interest,” he said.

It came as defence experts said the UK’s announcement it would also build 12 AUKUS submarines under their overhaul could signal that Australia needs to up its spending, to ensure our own plans for five submarines could be paid for.

“There’s a good industry opportunity here because we could potentially be suppliers of components … to the British ones as well,” director of Strategic Analysis Australia Peter Jennings said.

New Coalition defence spokesman Angus Taylor. Picture: Hilary Wardhaugh,

“On the other hand I think we’re significantly underestimating the cost of this program … broadly it’s a positive for Australia, but reinforces the point that AUKUS for us is not deliverable unless our government seriously lifts defence spending.”

Deakin Distinguished Professor Matthew Clarke said it was unlikely Australia could follow the UK in suddenly ramping up defence spending.

“The Australian government recognises it needs to spend more on defence – but it needs to balance that with other spending needs – it’s really trying to find the appropriate level that has the correct defence capability, but allows us to manage domestic spending requirements,” he said.

Originally published as Albo unlikely to follow Keir’s lead on defence spending amid Opposition pressure