There is much criticism of the government for not immediately lifting our defence spending to 3.5 per cent of gross national income. Following the Israel/US pre-emptive bombing of Iran and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the hawkish slogans insist that “if we want peace we have to prepare for war”; that saving lives requires even bigger defence budgets. And let’s be clear: the unspoken focus of this military build-up is our largest trading partner, China.

These drumbeats are deafening and grow louder, despite the fact much of our recent defence spending has been poorly aligned with Australia’s actual security needs. The push comes from the Murdoch press and a well-funded defence lobby, many of whom are ex-politicians.

Increases in defence spending across the world are coming at the cost of foreign aid.

We all want a safer world, but where does true security lie?

I support the prime minister’s resistance to calls for an arbitrary percentage increase of defence spending because US President Donald Trump wants it. Anthony Albanese is right to assert we will focus on what we need, not an arbitrary figure, just because the defence hawks demand it.

A safer world for all requires investment in human security – through health, education, and humanitarian support. These are life-saving investments that also foster deeper relationships with our closest Indo-Pacific neighbours.

In response to Trump’s calls for higher defence........

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