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The Advertiser
20 hours ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Defence Minister Richard Marles celebrates a win amid Coalition criticism
With a cloud hanging over the AUKUS submarine deal and the Opposition attacking the government for refusing to bow to United States pressure to lift Defence spending, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles is preparing to celebrate a win. The Albanese government's plan for a larger and more lethal surface combatant fleet for the Royal Australian Navy will hit a milestone on Saturday with the addition of the HMAS Arafura. Built by German shipbuilder Luerssen Australia at the Osborne Shipyard in South Australia, the vessel entered Fremantle this week ahead of a commissioning ceremony on Saturday, following testing and evaluation by Defence. Mr Marles said the commissioning of HMAS Arafura "marks an important milestone" and meant the Navy could "continue to ensure the safety and security of our maritime borders". "We will continue to see the Navy introduce new vessels into its fleet," he said. It is the first Arafura class offshore patrol vessel of the Navy's surface fleet, with a second - NUSHIP Eyre - having been built and awaiting acceptance by the Navy. On Friday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese resisted pressure to commit a higher proportion of GDP to defence spending, as the US insisted its allies increase their share. The Opposition heaped criticism on Mr Albanese this week over defence spending and the Prime Minister's inability, to date, to secure a make-up meeting or phone call with United States President Donald Trump, who cancelled a face-to-face last week as he left the G7 Leaders' Summit early to deal with the Israel-Iran crisis. Mr Albanese had been expected to seek Mr Trump's ongoing support for Australia's $368 billion AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, which has been subjected to a Pentagon review. Australia is contracted to buy three off-the-shelf nuclear submarines from the US before making eight of its own, with the first submarine not expected to join the Australian fleet for years. The US only has to deliver the submarines if it has enough for the US Navy's use - and American shipyards are not on track to meet domestic targets, leading to fears the deal could fall over. On Friday, the Prime Minister said his government was "making sure that Australia has the capability that we need". "We've increased it by $57 billion over the medium term and by more than $10 billion in the short term as well," he told reporters in Sydney. Foreign Minister Penny Wong is preparing to fly to the US for talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as part of discussions between the foreign ministers of Quad alliance nations. Four more Arafura class offshore patrol vessels are under construction at the Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia. They boast a greater range of 4000 nautical miles and can perform roles that previously required numerous vessels, with improved living quarters and amenities to better support personnel. The procurement of the new fleet responds to recommendations of the Independent Analysis into Navy's Surface Combatant Fleet. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and her defence spokesman Angus Taylor this week blasted the government for refusing to commit to higher defence spending. On Friday, Mr Taylor said boosting spending levels was not about doing what the US wanted. "This is not about being bullied," he said. "This is about doing the right thing for our great country, and that's what we want to see." NATO member countries announced this week that they had agreed to spend 5 per cent of their economic output on defence and security, after calls to do so by Mr Trump. This led to increased pressure on Washington's Indo-Pacific allies to do the same, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying countries such as Australia should follow suit. "If our allies in Europe and our NATO allies can do that, I think our allies and our friends in the Asia-Pacific region can do it as well," she said. NATO nations will be expected to spend 3.5 per cent of their gross domestic product on core defence and a further 1.5 per cent on broader security. Australia's defence spending is set to rise from 2 per cent of GDP now to 2.3 per cent by 2033/34, with the Coalition calling for a 3 per cent target within 10 years. With AAP With a cloud hanging over the AUKUS submarine deal and the Opposition attacking the government for refusing to bow to United States pressure to lift Defence spending, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles is preparing to celebrate a win. The Albanese government's plan for a larger and more lethal surface combatant fleet for the Royal Australian Navy will hit a milestone on Saturday with the addition of the HMAS Arafura. Built by German shipbuilder Luerssen Australia at the Osborne Shipyard in South Australia, the vessel entered Fremantle this week ahead of a commissioning ceremony on Saturday, following testing and evaluation by Defence. Mr Marles said the commissioning of HMAS Arafura "marks an important milestone" and meant the Navy could "continue to ensure the safety and security of our maritime borders". "We will continue to see the Navy introduce new vessels into its fleet," he said. It is the first Arafura class offshore patrol vessel of the Navy's surface fleet, with a second - NUSHIP Eyre - having been built and awaiting acceptance by the Navy. On Friday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese resisted pressure to commit a higher proportion of GDP to defence spending, as the US insisted its allies increase their share. The Opposition heaped criticism on Mr Albanese this week over defence spending and the Prime Minister's inability, to date, to secure a make-up meeting or phone call with United States President Donald Trump, who cancelled a face-to-face last week as he left the G7 Leaders' Summit early to deal with the Israel-Iran crisis. Mr Albanese had been expected to seek Mr Trump's ongoing support for Australia's $368 billion AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, which has been subjected to a Pentagon review. Australia is contracted to buy three off-the-shelf nuclear submarines from the US before making eight of its own, with the first submarine not expected to join the Australian fleet for years. The US only has to deliver the submarines if it has enough for the US Navy's use - and American shipyards are not on track to meet domestic targets, leading to fears the deal could fall over. On Friday, the Prime Minister said his government was "making sure that Australia has the capability that we need". "We've increased it by $57 billion over the medium term and by more than $10 billion in the short term as well," he told reporters in Sydney. Foreign Minister Penny Wong is preparing to fly to the US for talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as part of discussions between the foreign ministers of Quad alliance nations. Four more Arafura class offshore patrol vessels are under construction at the Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia. They boast a greater range of 4000 nautical miles and can perform roles that previously required numerous vessels, with improved living quarters and amenities to better support personnel. The procurement of the new fleet responds to recommendations of the Independent Analysis into Navy's Surface Combatant Fleet. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and her defence spokesman Angus Taylor this week blasted the government for refusing to commit to higher defence spending. On Friday, Mr Taylor said boosting spending levels was not about doing what the US wanted. "This is not about being bullied," he said. "This is about doing the right thing for our great country, and that's what we want to see." NATO member countries announced this week that they had agreed to spend 5 per cent of their economic output on defence and security, after calls to do so by Mr Trump. This led to increased pressure on Washington's Indo-Pacific allies to do the same, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying countries such as Australia should follow suit. "If our allies in Europe and our NATO allies can do that, I think our allies and our friends in the Asia-Pacific region can do it as well," she said. NATO nations will be expected to spend 3.5 per cent of their gross domestic product on core defence and a further 1.5 per cent on broader security. Australia's defence spending is set to rise from 2 per cent of GDP now to 2.3 per cent by 2033/34, with the Coalition calling for a 3 per cent target within 10 years. With AAP With a cloud hanging over the AUKUS submarine deal and the Opposition attacking the government for refusing to bow to United States pressure to lift Defence spending, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles is preparing to celebrate a win. The Albanese government's plan for a larger and more lethal surface combatant fleet for the Royal Australian Navy will hit a milestone on Saturday with the addition of the HMAS Arafura. Built by German shipbuilder Luerssen Australia at the Osborne Shipyard in South Australia, the vessel entered Fremantle this week ahead of a commissioning ceremony on Saturday, following testing and evaluation by Defence. Mr Marles said the commissioning of HMAS Arafura "marks an important milestone" and meant the Navy could "continue to ensure the safety and security of our maritime borders". "We will continue to see the Navy introduce new vessels into its fleet," he said. It is the first Arafura class offshore patrol vessel of the Navy's surface fleet, with a second - NUSHIP Eyre - having been built and awaiting acceptance by the Navy. On Friday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese resisted pressure to commit a higher proportion of GDP to defence spending, as the US insisted its allies increase their share. The Opposition heaped criticism on Mr Albanese this week over defence spending and the Prime Minister's inability, to date, to secure a make-up meeting or phone call with United States President Donald Trump, who cancelled a face-to-face last week as he left the G7 Leaders' Summit early to deal with the Israel-Iran crisis. Mr Albanese had been expected to seek Mr Trump's ongoing support for Australia's $368 billion AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, which has been subjected to a Pentagon review. Australia is contracted to buy three off-the-shelf nuclear submarines from the US before making eight of its own, with the first submarine not expected to join the Australian fleet for years. The US only has to deliver the submarines if it has enough for the US Navy's use - and American shipyards are not on track to meet domestic targets, leading to fears the deal could fall over. On Friday, the Prime Minister said his government was "making sure that Australia has the capability that we need". "We've increased it by $57 billion over the medium term and by more than $10 billion in the short term as well," he told reporters in Sydney. Foreign Minister Penny Wong is preparing to fly to the US for talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as part of discussions between the foreign ministers of Quad alliance nations. Four more Arafura class offshore patrol vessels are under construction at the Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia. They boast a greater range of 4000 nautical miles and can perform roles that previously required numerous vessels, with improved living quarters and amenities to better support personnel. The procurement of the new fleet responds to recommendations of the Independent Analysis into Navy's Surface Combatant Fleet. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and her defence spokesman Angus Taylor this week blasted the government for refusing to commit to higher defence spending. On Friday, Mr Taylor said boosting spending levels was not about doing what the US wanted. "This is not about being bullied," he said. "This is about doing the right thing for our great country, and that's what we want to see." NATO member countries announced this week that they had agreed to spend 5 per cent of their economic output on defence and security, after calls to do so by Mr Trump. This led to increased pressure on Washington's Indo-Pacific allies to do the same, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying countries such as Australia should follow suit. "If our allies in Europe and our NATO allies can do that, I think our allies and our friends in the Asia-Pacific region can do it as well," she said. NATO nations will be expected to spend 3.5 per cent of their gross domestic product on core defence and a further 1.5 per cent on broader security. Australia's defence spending is set to rise from 2 per cent of GDP now to 2.3 per cent by 2033/34, with the Coalition calling for a 3 per cent target within 10 years. With AAP With a cloud hanging over the AUKUS submarine deal and the Opposition attacking the government for refusing to bow to United States pressure to lift Defence spending, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles is preparing to celebrate a win. The Albanese government's plan for a larger and more lethal surface combatant fleet for the Royal Australian Navy will hit a milestone on Saturday with the addition of the HMAS Arafura. Built by German shipbuilder Luerssen Australia at the Osborne Shipyard in South Australia, the vessel entered Fremantle this week ahead of a commissioning ceremony on Saturday, following testing and evaluation by Defence. Mr Marles said the commissioning of HMAS Arafura "marks an important milestone" and meant the Navy could "continue to ensure the safety and security of our maritime borders". "We will continue to see the Navy introduce new vessels into its fleet," he said. It is the first Arafura class offshore patrol vessel of the Navy's surface fleet, with a second - NUSHIP Eyre - having been built and awaiting acceptance by the Navy. On Friday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese resisted pressure to commit a higher proportion of GDP to defence spending, as the US insisted its allies increase their share. The Opposition heaped criticism on Mr Albanese this week over defence spending and the Prime Minister's inability, to date, to secure a make-up meeting or phone call with United States President Donald Trump, who cancelled a face-to-face last week as he left the G7 Leaders' Summit early to deal with the Israel-Iran crisis. Mr Albanese had been expected to seek Mr Trump's ongoing support for Australia's $368 billion AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, which has been subjected to a Pentagon review. Australia is contracted to buy three off-the-shelf nuclear submarines from the US before making eight of its own, with the first submarine not expected to join the Australian fleet for years. The US only has to deliver the submarines if it has enough for the US Navy's use - and American shipyards are not on track to meet domestic targets, leading to fears the deal could fall over. On Friday, the Prime Minister said his government was "making sure that Australia has the capability that we need". "We've increased it by $57 billion over the medium term and by more than $10 billion in the short term as well," he told reporters in Sydney. Foreign Minister Penny Wong is preparing to fly to the US for talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as part of discussions between the foreign ministers of Quad alliance nations. Four more Arafura class offshore patrol vessels are under construction at the Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia. They boast a greater range of 4000 nautical miles and can perform roles that previously required numerous vessels, with improved living quarters and amenities to better support personnel. The procurement of the new fleet responds to recommendations of the Independent Analysis into Navy's Surface Combatant Fleet. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and her defence spokesman Angus Taylor this week blasted the government for refusing to commit to higher defence spending. On Friday, Mr Taylor said boosting spending levels was not about doing what the US wanted. "This is not about being bullied," he said. "This is about doing the right thing for our great country, and that's what we want to see." NATO member countries announced this week that they had agreed to spend 5 per cent of their economic output on defence and security, after calls to do so by Mr Trump. This led to increased pressure on Washington's Indo-Pacific allies to do the same, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying countries such as Australia should follow suit. "If our allies in Europe and our NATO allies can do that, I think our allies and our friends in the Asia-Pacific region can do it as well," she said. NATO nations will be expected to spend 3.5 per cent of their gross domestic product on core defence and a further 1.5 per cent on broader security. Australia's defence spending is set to rise from 2 per cent of GDP now to 2.3 per cent by 2033/34, with the Coalition calling for a 3 per cent target within 10 years. With AAP
West Australian
a day ago
- General
- West Australian
First Arafura class offshore patrol vessel to be commissioned in Fremantle on Saturday
The first of six patrol boats set to protect Australian waters will be officially commissioned on Saturday in Fremantle, marking an important milestone for the fleet. NUSHIP Arafura will become HMAS Arafura on Saturday morning, with Minister for Defence Personnel Matt Keogh and Chief of Navy Vice-Admiral Mark Hammond both in attendance. Arafura was built in South Australia's Osborne Shipyard but will call HMAS Stirling home for the foreseeable future before it eventually sets off to Australia's north, likely to Darwin or Cairns. As the first in its fleet, the ship is expected to largely participate in trials for the rest of 2025, which will include a trip to Sydney. It is expected to be put to full operations in early 2026 where it will help patrol Australia's maritime border. The ship can house up to 60 regular crew but will regularly only have around 45 crew on board and can store up to 35 days of food at a time. Commanding Officer Marc Beecroft will be heading the ship when it gets put to action. He gave a glowing review of the vessel. 'The quality and calibre of the Australians in Osborne (Shipyard) in Adelaide that built this ship and from what I've seen of those in Henderson is world leading,' he said. 'The facilities that have been developed in both locations are delivering a ship that is well exceeding my expectations as a naval officer of 20 years. 'I can't wait to get to sea on it and I think the people that built the ship, not just this one, but all of the operational patrol vessel should be proud of their efforts.' HMAS Arafura will be joined by NUSHIP Eyre — which has also been constructed in Adelaide — in the coming years. The final four boats in the fleet will be built in Perth. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the commissioning was a 'turning point'. 'The commissioning of HMAS Arafura marks an important milestone in the implementation of the Government's Surface Fleet Review,' he said. 'HMAS Arafura means that the Navy can continue to ensure the safety and security of our maritime borders.'
