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Reuters
Reuters
Politics

Australia to pay soldiers bonus to stay as strategic risks rise

FILE PHOTO: Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles attends a joint news conference with France's Foreign and Defence ministers at the Quai d'Orsay in Paris, France, January 30, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier

Australia said on Tuesday it will pay military personnel A$50,000 ($33,165) to stay beyond an initial service period, days after a review found its defence posture was "not fit for purpose" amid rising competition between the United States and China.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the number of defence personnel was 3,400 below the positions funded, and there was a retention problem.

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