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The Conversation
The Conversation
Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

Albanese government will commit to boosting defence spending to 3% of GDP, but under a revised definition

GDP Richard Marles Australia NATO

The Albanese government will increase defence spending to about 3% of GDP by 2033 in its 2026 National Defence Strategy to be unveiled on Thursday.

But it is using a revised definition that, in effect, makes the defence spend appear larger than it is.

The Trump administration has repeatedly made it clear Australia should boost its defence spending. Last year, a top Pentagon official, Elbridge Colby, cited the 3% figure in pushing for Australia to spend more.

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