THE HON ANDREW HASTIE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE INDUSTRY
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL

STATEMENT
LABOR CUTS A FURTHER $1.6 BILLION FROM DEFENCE

Thursday 19 December 2024

The Albanese Government continues to ram-raid the Defence budget for cash, making a further $1.6 billion in reprioritisations as part of its Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO).

We know what Labor’s reprioritisations mean – cuts to funding, delays to programs, and cannibalisation of capability.

Labor uses every opportunity it can – from the Defence Strategic Review, to the National Defence Strategy, and now MYEFO – to cut money from Defence despite repeatedly warning Australians that we are living in the most dangerous strategic environment in decades.

Despite this grim outlook, the Defence Minister turns a blind eye while his colleagues pinch money from the Defence budget, presiding over $81.6 billion in cuts and reprioritisations since 2022.

If this weak Defence Minster can’t protect the Defence budget from his colleagues, how can we trust him to stand up for our country on the global stage?

At a time when capability is being cannibalised, defence industry is closing up shop, and Australian Defence Force morale is on life support, this weak Albanese Government demonstrates they are not serious about strengthening our national security.

ENDS