‘A very precarious time’: Why Australia has expedited $3.5 billion defence package

Australia will spend $3.5 billion on a fast-tracked new defence package, equipping fighter jets and naval ships with long-range missiles.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton says the massive defence spending boost is “about making sure sure we can deter any act of aggression against our country from China or anyone else”.

He told Tom Elliott the war in Ukraine has been “a wake up call to the world”.

“We’re living in a very precarious time in the Indo-Pacific as well so it’s about being realistic of the threats that might be on the horizon,” Mr Dutton said.

The Defence Minister highlighted recent actions by China —  including land border clashes with India, disputes with Japan in the East China Sea, militarisation in the South China Sea, actions in the Solomon Islands, economic interference, and bribery payments — as points of concern.

“I just think we need to be realistic about the leadership of President Xi and what’s happening with China in recent years,” he said.

“The massive nuclear weapons (possessed) by China should cause anyone concern and that’s why we need to make this investment, because it’ll make our country safer.

“Nobody a couple of years ago could have predicted what happened in the Ukraine and there’s no sense in us being blind to the reality of what’s happening in our own region.”

Press PLAY below to hear more about the ‘concerns’ behind the massive spend 

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