Published 1 year ago • loading... • Updated 1 year ago
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.