Shadow defence minister Andrew Hastie has slammed the government's response to the findings of the Defence Strategic Review, declaring Monday's announcement is a 'smokescreen to hide the truth'.
Shadow defence minister Andrew Hastie has slammed the Albanese government's response to the Defence Strategic Review saying it had"failed" to provide a"clear strategy" for upgrading the nation's armed forces.
"The Albanese government has failed to deliver the sort of action that our strategic circumstances require. Mr Hastie quoted Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who in an address to the National Press Club last week said Australia was facing"unprecedented" circumstances which required an"unprecedented response in our statecraft", as he argued that a lack of new funding in the government's response demonstrated it was engaging in"doublespeak".
The shadow defence minister also repeated warnings made by the opposition over"cannibalising" capability in the armed forces, highlighting the government's plan to cut the number of phase three infantry fighting vehicles produced from 450 to 229. The Liberals, he said had boosted spending by"55 per cent over the last decade" in"real terms", claiming he was proud of their record and for having the"hard conversation" with Australia over"the challenges ahead and increasing great power competition".
"I want to make a point about this process. Today's announcement on the eve of ANZAC Day is tricky politics," he said.
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