Higher taxes needed as Coalition eyes extra $100 billion defence spend
- On May 1, 2025, in Western Australia, Opposition leader Peter Dutton committed to increasing Australia's defence budget to 2.5% of GDP over the next five years and further raising it to 3% by the end of the following decade if his party wins the May 3 election.
- This commitment follows concerns over strategic challenges from China, ongoing conflicts, and pressure from the US for allies to increase defence budgets to around 3% of GDP.
- Dutton criticized the current Labor government for cuts and delays exceeding A$80 billion in defence spending and pledged to support Australian defence industries and reinstate cancelled F-35A jets.
- Dutton said, "You don't achieve peace through weakness" and warned that "we are going backwards on AUKUS," highlighting his view that current policies fail Australia's security needs.
- The Coalition’s plan faces scrutiny for lacking detailed costing and funding sources, implying higher personal income taxes and suggesting defence will become one of the largest federal expenditures if realized.
Insights by Ground AI
Does this summary seem wrong?
27 Articles
27 Articles
All
Left
6
Center
3
Right
7

+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
Higher taxes needed as Coalition eyes extra $100 billion defence spend
The Coalition says its plan to lift defence spending will cost $21 billion. But its longer-term goal would make defence the second-largest budget cost.
·Sydney, Australia
Read Full ArticleCoverage Details
Total News Sources27
Leaning Left6Leaning Right7Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution44% Right
Bias Distribution
- 44% of the sources lean Right
44% Right
L 38%
C 19%
R 44%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage