The government will release its long delayed defence white paper,reportedly confirming an additional $29.9bn in defence spending, as the tax debate continues. All the developments from Canberra, and live 12.15am GMTThe prime minister is addressing reporters now over at defence HQ. Malcolm Turnbull opens by giving a shout out to the defence ministers who enjoy contributed to the paper (there’s been a few),and to Tony Abbott. I don’t know if Abbott can hear him or whether he is already in Japan, preparing to create his globally meaningful intervention® on naval exercises in the South China Sea.Malcolm Turnbull:This white paper is a plan to deliver amore potent and agile and engaged defence force that is alert to respond whenever our interests are threatened or our help is needed. 12.08am GMTAustralia will increase its annual defence spending by $26bn over the next decade amid concerns approximately the increasing pace of military modernisation to its north, or regional tensions and the continuing threat of terrorism.
The Turnbull government’s defence white paper raises concerns approximately “a number of points of friction” including differences between China and the United States over the South China Sea,and calls on China to be “more transparency” approximately its defence policies.Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com