US senator Chris Coons says Australia spending more on defence than given credit for

Australia Broadcast Center

2 days ago

A senior Democrat senator who led a US congressional delegation to Australia says the Albanese government deserves more credit for its level of defence spending, but should still go further.
Senator Chris Coons, who sits on the Foreign Relations Committee, said Australia was spending more than it was given credit for once shipyards and other defence infrastructure were taken into account.
The delegation of Republican and Democrat members of Congress met Australia's prime minister in Sydney on Friday afternoon after attending the Australian America Leadership Dialogue in Adelaide.
"I do think an increased investment in defence would be justified", Senator Coons told the ABC after meeting Anthony Albanese.
"Of course, that's a decision for the Australian government, the Australian people", he added.
Defence spending currently sits at just over 2 per cent of GDP in Australia and is forecast to reach 2.3 per cent by 2033-'34.
Senator Coons said if other defence infrastructure was to be included the figure would be higher.
"The way that our NATO allies are counting their percentage of GDP, I'm told, would give Australia credit for north of 2.7 or 2.8 per cent," he said.
NATO members have recently committed to lift their defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP.
Senator Coons said this figure "might be significantly easier for Australia to reach, given that your accounting doesn't quite give you full credit".
He has vowed to spend as required to meet Australia's defence needs.
The congressional delegation also strongly backed the AUKUS deal amid an ongoing review of the agreement by the Pentagon.
US Defence Under Secretary Elbridge Colby, who is conducting the review, has also called on US allies in the Asia Pacific region to lift defence spending.
Senator Coons said Congress would resist any move by the Pentagon to cancel or significantly change the AUKUS agreement.
"I think if there were to be some unexpected change in direction there'd be very strong pushback from Republicans and Democrats who I've spoken within the Senate leadership," he said.
The prime minister is hoping to meet President Donald Trump during a visit to the United States next month for the UN General Assembly.