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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that Australia will determine its own defence spending needs following a request from US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth for an increase to 3.5% of GDP. Currently, Australia’s defence spending stands at 2.0%, projected to rise to 2.3% by 2033/34, with the US urging allies in the Indo-Pacific to share the burden of deterrence amid perceived threats, particularly from China. Albanese emphasized the government’s focus on defining necessary capabilities for national defence rather than solely following external requests.
