A former head of ASIO says Australians must sacrifice their standard of living to accommodate increased defense spending amid mounting global tensions.
Former spy boss, now ANU professor Duncan Lewis, said the 2-3 percent of GDP set aside for defense will not get Australia where it needs to be.
Lewis acknowledged that the increase in spending would have an impact on Australians’ “personal wealth”.
“I’m concerned that we haven’t bought much in the defense capability portfolio over many, many years,” Lewis told the ANU National Security Podcast this week.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said during the election campaign that Australia must spend “whatever it takes” to defend its national interests – and is committed to maintaining a figure of more than two percent of GDP.
According to Mr Lewis, the figure should be much higher.
“If we think 2-3 percent of GDP will be paid for nuclear-powered boats and for the defense capabilities I believe we will need in the not-too-distant future, we’re kidding ourselves. It takes a lot more money,” he says.
To achieve higher levels of spending, Mr Lewis said the Australian government would have to push the community aside to make the necessary sacrifices.
“At a time when we are highly indebted, increased defense spending will obviously have an impact on the standard of living and essentially the personal wealth of Australians,” he said.
“This requires a certain social permit that must be obtained by the government.”
Lewis added that the country could no longer afford to buy “gadgets” such as the doomed Seasprite project or more recently a botched submarine contract with the French that cost taxpayers $5.5 billion with no return.
Camera icon The former spy chief acknowledged that higher defense spending would affect Australians’ living standards. Credit: Included
He said leaving the deal in favor of purchasing nuclear-powered submarines was the right decision, despite it being played out under less-than-ideal circumstances.
“I would like to say to what extent I technically agree with the decision to continue with nuclear submarines in the future. I’m sorry the decision is 20 years late,” he said.
One of the justifications for higher spending has been the threat from countries like China with which Australia has ideological differences.
“I am reminded of Teddy Roosevelt’s comments nearly 100 years ago when he said ‘in life you have to speak softly, but if you carry a big stick you will go far,’” Mr Lewis said.
“My concern in recent years has been that we have been quite noisy than we should have been.”