PM brushes off US request to increase defence spending — as it happened

Abbott accuses 'quasi-passivist' Labor of 'winding down' defence capability

Former prime minister Tony Abbott has accused Labor of taking a "quasi-passivist" approach to managing the Australian Defence Force as he called for an urgent spending increase.

‘It’s a matter of sovereignty’: PM not for turning on defence

Anthony Albanese has no intention of being dictated to on defence spending, by the US or anyone else.

‘That Adds up to 2.3 Percent’: Albanese Resists US Request to Boost Defence Spending

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is continuing to reiterate that Australia will make its own decisions on defence spending amid a call to arms from the United States. This comes after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asked Australia to lift its defence investment to 3.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) as soon as possible during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. When asked about the request from the United States, Albanese indicated…

Mr 2.3 per cent: PM dismisses US defence spending demands

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday continues to dismiss demands from the United States for Australia to hike defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP.

We decide defense policy: Australia PM reacts to US spending demand

SYDNEY -- Australia's Prime Minister says his country will "determine our defense policy," after U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth called for the

'We will determine our defence budget': PM defies US calls to increase defence spending

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has resisted calls made by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Singapore to boost Australia's defence spending, ahead of his highly anticipated first face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump later this month. It comes amid backlash against the US doubling tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.