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Canberra Has Not Got Washington’s Message on Defence Spending: Abbott

The Albanese government said they would not ‘pluck a figure out of the air and work out how to spend it.’
Canberra Has Not Got Washington’s Message on Defence Spending: Abbott
Officers of the corvette squadron Braunschweig of the German Navy stand during a visit of the German President in Riga, Latvia, on July 8, 2025. Gints Ivuskans/AFP via Getty Images
Monica O’Shea
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Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott is concerned that Australia has not got the message from Washington on defence spending, after European allies agreed to U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand.

European NATO leaders promised to boost defence spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) over 10 years. Australia has yet to make a similar pledge.

Monica O’Shea
Monica O’Shea
Author
Monica O’Shea is a reporter based in Australia. She previously worked as a reporter for Motley Fool Australia, Daily Mail Australia, and Fairfax Regional Media. She can be reached at monica.o'[email protected]