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Albanese Stands By Defence Spending Amid US Push for Increase to 3.5 Percent

US Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth called on Australia to increase defence spending ‘as soon as possible.’
Albanese Stands By Defence Spending Amid US Push for Increase to 3.5 Percent
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to Members of the Labor Government in the caucus meeting in Canberra, Australia, on May 9, 2025. Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images
Monica O’Shea
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia will make its own decisions on defence spending amid a call to arms from the United States.

This comes after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asked Australia to lift its defence investment to 3.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) as soon as possible during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

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]