Overview

• Gina Rinehart has called for Australia to increase its defence spending to 5% of GDP, citing the need for advanced military technologies like missile defence systems and drones.
• The Coalition, led by Peter Dutton, has pledged an additional A$21 billion to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030 if elected.
• Labor plans a more gradual increase, targeting 2.3% of GDP for defence by 2034, emphasizing fiscal responsibility.
• Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh criticized the timing of Rinehart's intervention, stating that Anzac Day is not the appropriate occasion for such discussions.
• Liberal Senator Dave Sharma acknowledged the need for increased defence spending but stopped short of endorsing Rinehart's ambitious proposal.