Rudd pushes back on US claim that Australia needs to ‘step up' on defence
Rudd said Australia led the way in identifying strategic concerns about the rise of China and its military force, citing the 2009 defence white paper he released as prime minister, and had made corresponding changes to its defence strategy.
'Without saying 'we told you so', we did,' Rudd said when asked whether Australia needed to increase defence spending more urgently in response to recent Chinese military exercises in the region.
'If you look at the trajectory of what our government has been doing – reallocation of resources to the Royal Australian Navy, the movement now in terms of nuclear-powered submarines - that consciousness [about China] has been alive and well in our part of the world.'
Rudd noted the high level of integration between the two nations' navies. 'We are cheek by jowl with the United States in the Indo-Pacific. We know what new capabilities are required. We're investing in those capabilities. So we're pretty bullish about our contribution to collective deterrence going forward,' he said.
The former Labor prime minister was addressing the Aspen Security Forum on Saturday (AEST) at a critical moment in Indo-Pacific relations as the US pushes regional allies to lift defence spending and make clearer commitments about what they would do in a conflict involving the US and China over Taiwan or other issues.
Specifically, the Pentagon is seeking undertakings about how its Virginia-class submarines would be used once they are sold to Australia under the AUKUS agreement, and is also calling for the Albanese government to lift defence spending by about $40 billion a year, to 3.5 per cent of GDP.
Confirming a recent news report that said the Pentagon had asked Australia and Japan to clarify what they would do in a conflict with China, the US official leading the AUKUS review, defence undersecretary Elbridge Colby, said the US was urging allies to 'step up their defence spending and other efforts related to our collective defence'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
10 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
Victorian Premier launches push to make work from home legal right
Working from home for two days a week could become a legal right in Victoria, under new plans proposed by Premier Jacinta Allan. The state government is promising to introduce the law — covering both public and private sectors — by next year, with it applying to anyone who can 'reasonably' carry out their work away from the office. Ms Allan will tell the annual state Labor conference: 'Working from home works for families and it's good for the economy. 'Day after day, unions are being contacted by workers who have been denied reasonable requests to work from home, and across the country, Liberals are drawing up plans to abolish work-from-home and force workers back to the office and back to the past. 'That's why the Allan Labor government is acting. Enshrining work from home in law means this life-changing practice isn't something you or your loved ones have to politely ask for. It's a right you'll be entitled to.' She will add that a consultation will take place on the proposed Australia-first law, but added it won't determine if the plans should go ahead. 'We're already clear on that: it should be. We just need the appropriate laws to reflect it,' she said. Ms Allan said the new policy is aimed directly at supporting families, promising average savings of $110 per week, or $5308 annually in commuting costs. 'Work from home supports women with children, carers and people with a disability to work,' Ms Allan said. 'Thanks to work from home, workforce participation is 4.4 per cent higher than before the pandemic.' The legislation is expected to be introduced later this year. The move follows significant debate about work from home policies during the federal election, with Peter Dutton forced to backtrack on a proposed policy to limit remote work for public servants due to public backlash. Originally published as Victorians could soon have the right to work from home two days a week
Perth Now
10 minutes ago
- Perth Now
WFH could become legal right
Working from home for two days a week could become a legal right in Victoria, under new plans proposed by Premier Jacinta Allan. The state government is promising to introduce the law — covering both public and private sectors — by next year, with it applying to anyone who can 'reasonably' carry out their work away from the office. Ms Allan will tell the annual state Labor conference: 'Working from home works for families and it's good for the economy. 'Day after day, unions are being contacted by workers who have been denied reasonable requests to work from home, and across the country, Liberals are drawing up plans to abolish work-from-home and force workers back to the office and back to the past. 'That's why the Allan Labor government is acting. Enshrining work from home in law means this life-changing practice isn't something you or your loved ones have to politely ask for. It's a right you'll be entitled to.' Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is set to announce the law on Saturday. NewsWire / Nadir Kinani Credit: News Corp Australia She will add that a consultation will take place on the proposed Australia-first law, but added it won't determine if the plans should go ahead. 'We're already clear on that: it should be. We just need the appropriate laws to reflect it,' she said. Ms Allan said the new policy is aimed directly at supporting families, promising average savings of $110 per week, or $5308 annually in commuting costs. 'Work from home supports women with children, carers and people with a disability to work,' Ms Allan said. 'Thanks to work from home, workforce participation is 4.4 per cent higher than before the pandemic.' The legislation is expected to be introduced later this year. The move follows significant debate about work from home policies during the federal election, with Peter Dutton forced to backtrack on a proposed policy to limit remote work for public servants due to public backlash.
7NEWS
40 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
Suzuki Australia 'ready' for new emissions regulations
Despite Suzuki's relatively slow rollout of electrified vehicles, the brand's local arm says it's prepared to deal with Australia's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) as it readies additional mild-hybrids and its first electric vehicle (EV). Suzuki, like every other manufacturer operating in Australia, is now obliged to meet set average carbon emissions targets across its fleet each year, or be penalised $100 per g/km of CO2 for every vehicle that exceeds the target. The brand's entire Australian fleet falls into the Type 1 passenger car category, which means each car is subject to a CO2 limit of 141g/km for 2025. This limit will drop to 117g/km in 2026, 92g/km in 2027, and eventually 58g/km in 2029. Though Suzuki's Australian lineup currently features only two mild-hybrids and no EVs, general manager Michael Pachota maintains NVES is simply another regulatory hurdle for the brand to overcome. 'We've been here for a long time. We're not going anywhere,' he told CarExpert. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. 'NVES is just another thing that we have to adapt and evolve our product portfolio to meet. With that said, the Australian consumer will decide.' Suzuki's model range in Australia is currently undergoing a revamp after several vehicles fell victim to new safety regulations last year. With its up-to-date cars, Suzuki is, on average, in the clear for 2025 – the Swift Hybrid has maximum claimed emissions of 90g/km of CO2, while the Fronx Hybrid produces 113g/km. Only the Jimny exceeds the target with a minimum of 146g/km across its lineup. The defunct S-Cross, Vitara, and Swift Sport are all on the bubble of the current 141g/km target, while the Ignis is on par with the Fronx Hybrid. Only limited dealer stock of these models remains. The emissions of these vehicles means Suzuki will likely exceed the average fleet-wide CO2 limit in three year's time, which means more efficient models will be required to offset the 'dirtier' ones. These efforts will be bolstered by the Vitara Hybrid – albeit with mild-hybrid or 'strong' hybrid powertrains as-yet unconfirmed – and electric eVitara in early 2026, while Suzuki could look overseas for additional hybrid models. In the UK, Suzuki sells the Across plug-in hybrid (PHEV) – a rebadged version of the outgoing Toyota RAV4 – that produces a claimed 26g/km of CO2. There's also the full-hybrid Swace – a rebadged Toyota Corolla Touring Sports wagon – with claimed emissions of 102g/km. This, in theory, could provide Australian customers with more choice in Suzuki models than ever, and Mr Pachota maintains buyer attitudes will shape the brand's direction beyond its initial plans. 'Our plan is quite good, I've gotta say. We're ready for it,' he told CarExpert. 'As the market changes or there's different conditions in the market with competitors and so forth, and if that actual measurement of NVES changes because it's constantly up in the air, or whatever it may be, we'll adapt and evolve, and we're very prepared to do so.' Mr Pachota's confident sentiment is in contrast with recent comments made by Suzuki Queensland – a separate entity in charge of the Sunshine State and New South Wales' Northern Rivers region – general manager Paul Dillon. In a separate CarExpert article published this week, Mr Dillon claimed NVES will boost Chinese brands, raise prices, punish makers of small cars, and end up forcing many buyers to shop for less efficient used cars. 'I would say, 'Would you consider a Suzuki to be a reasonably efficient car?',' Mr Dillon told CarExpert. 'And to consider that next year there will be penalties on cars like Fronx, for a 1.5-litre hybrid vehicle with [an integrated starter generator], there are still penalties on that car next year.' He continued by saying Suzuki Queensland would have to raise the prices of its vehicles if NVES fines begin to stack up – a fate he also expects to befall other non-Chinese carmakers – making cheaper Chinese cars look more appealing. 'The legislation's almost leaning towards [Chinese brands], isn't it?' Mr Dillon said. Asked whether the eVitara would be able to offset Suzuki's average CO2 emissions, Mr Dillon says he believes 'there will be a small market for EVs'. 'Unfortunately, I don't think the government fully considered that. I think there's issues with the NVES they haven't fully considered, unless they specifically are out to raise more tax from the consumers.'
