Higher taxes needed as Coalition eyes extra $100 billion defence spend

Higher taxes needed as Coalition eyes extra $100 billion defence spend

The Coalition says its plan to lift defence spending will cost $21 billion. But its longer-term goal would make defence the second-largest budget cost.

Peter Dutton is choosing his words carefully on China

The opposition leader is being cautious with his language as he doesn't want to turn off Chinese-Australian voters, as the Coalition did last election, but he also doesn't want to upset those on his right flank.

Australia's conservative opposition leader Peter Dutton pledges defence spending boost if elected

Peter Dutton pledges to boost Australia's defence spending to 3% of GDP, echoing Trump's "peace through strength" policy.

Coalition pledges to increase Australia’s defence spend to 3 per cent of GDP

The Opposition leader has cited the rise of authoritarianism and conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine as reasons for his increase in defence spending.

Dutton’s defence policy must buy bang for the bucks

The absolute priority for this money is for it to make the Australian military more capable and more powerful now – in the 2020s.

Coalition unpacks tax hike plan to fund defence splurge

Peter Dutton has promised a coalition government would raise defence spending and rely on higher income taxes to...