National defence spending reaching 2% of GDP
One of Prime Minister Morrison’s top priorities was to enhance Australia’s national defence capabilities. The Morrison Government made the commitment that Australia's defence budget would exceed 2% of GDP. This decision was driven by the need to address deteriorating strategic circumstances in the Indo-Pacific region and to bolster domestic defence capabilities. Prime Minister Morrison emphasised that these investments were crucial for ensuring the safety of Australians, and supporting local jobs and industries.
Enacting this commitment, the Morrison Government released the 2020 Defence Strategic Update, which outlined a comprehensive approach to modernising Australia's defence forces over the next decade. This plan included significant investments in naval capabilities, cyber resilience, and advanced military technologies. Prime Minister Morrison articulated that these enhancements were essential for preparing Australia for a "post-COVID world" characterised by increased global uncertainty.
This commitment was further extended through the AUKUS partnership, with defence spending projected to rise beyond 2.5% of GDP to support the nuclear-powered submarine programme and other advanced military capabilities — positioning Australia as one of the most significant defence spenders relative to GDP among Western democracies.
Australia's commitment to the 2% GDP defence spending target — a NATO benchmark that many of its members were struggling to meet — demonstrated Prime Minister Morrison’s strategic foresight, having been achieved well before Russia's invasion of Ukraine prompted a widespread military spending surge across Europe.
Prime Minister Morrison directed a decisive shift in Australia's national security policy, marked by increased funding and a strategic focus on both domestic capability development and international partnerships. The commitment for defence spending to reach 2% of GDP underpinned a comprehensive national security strategy, read more here.
Related media:
1. Press release, Defending Australia and its interests, 01 July 2020: https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-42877
2. Press release, Budget 2022-23 delivers record investment in Defence and supporting our veterans, 29 March 2022: https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-43911
