National

Defence

Opinion

Be serious, Paul Keating: We need more defence spending, so spare us the cheap shots

Jennifer Parker Defence and national security expert November 17, 2025 — 2.30pm Advertisement

It is not warmongering to discuss how a changing world may affect Australia’s way of life, just as it did during World War II. It is prudent and responsible to have a national conversation about how we prepare for the changes outlined in Australia’s National Defence Strategy. And that preparation must include a clear-eyed discussion about defence spending.

We are repeatedly told by politicians on both sides that Australia faces its most challenging strategic circumstances since the Second World War. They are right. In plain speaking, this means that the potential risk of con

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