Prime Minister Anthony Albanese holds fire on defence spending amid doubts about NATO's five per cent promise
The Albanese government has pushed back on US and NATO defence spending targets, with sources suggesting the commitments are overblown.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has so far dodged calls to increase defence investment after NATO promised to raise military spending to five per cent of economic outputs by 2035.
NATO agreed to the significant uplift after many member countries had already failed to meet the previous two per cent target.
Sources suggested to Sky News Sunday Agenda that some countries game their budget by including civilian projects, such as roads or bridges, to achieve the five per cent target.
"We start with the capability. We don't start with the dollars," Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told Sunday Agenda.
"We make decisions on behalf of Australia's national interest... We have mature, decent, respectful conversations with the United States.
"But as I say, the conversation doesn't start with the dollars at our end. It starts with the capability."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Friday if NATO allies could 'do it', then US allies in the Asia-Pacific could as well.
Speaking in Sydney on Friday, Mr Albanese was asked if he was worried about a potential backlash from President Donald Trump for not increasing the defence budget.
'What we're doing is making sure that Australia has the capability that we need - that's what we're investing in,' Mr Albanese told reporters.
'We'll continue to do that, invest in our capability and invest in our relationships … I have said very clearly, we will invest in the capability that Australia needs.'
The Albanese government - noting that Australia is not a NATO member but closely allied with the organisation - has committed to a more modest target of 2.3 per cent by 2033.
Mr Albanese has left the door open to increasing defence spending, but insists any decision will be based on national interest, not external pressure.
The opposition, in contrast, has pledged to increase spending to three per cent, while US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has urged Defence Minister Richard Marles to reach 3.5 per cent.
'The real problem we've got at the moment is we're just way short of the mark,' shadow defence minister Angus Taylor told Sky News on Thursday.
'The government's own plan is not properly funded … it's there, and very clear that there needs to be significant additional funding.'
The debate comes amid heightened global instability following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites and a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
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