Should the government increase or decrease military spending?

We should divert spending from AUKUS to spend on more reliable defence strategies and infrastructure

Increase, but ensure its spent on the right equipment and also increase diplomatic spending I recommend including a separate question on diplomatic spending. It's a crucial arm of Australian foreign policy alongside defence and foreign aid

Increase, with less dependence on the US encase they don't assist Australia in a war or conflict erupts from them

Investing into defensive and diplomatic AI efforts could be helpful, otherwise I am satisfied with current spending

diplomatic mechanisms should be further bolstered so that wasteful spending on stockpiling weapons isn't needed.

We should be aiming to becoming less reliant on purchasing equipment from overseas at ridiculous prices that will be largely redundant by the time it's delivered. We should be making our own things as much as is possible.

Neither, given the current global climate, it would seem premature to decrease our current spending, but we also have no cause to increase our military budget. That being said, we should never have entered the AUKUS deal.

Increase, but only with more civilian oversight and transparency to ensure funds are used appropriately

I’d like to see the amount of waste in Defence spending reduced. Too much is spent on ‘jobs for the boys’ ex-serving member contractors that are brought in unnecessarily. Contractors should be accountable to the public for spending tax-payers money just as much as the government departments. I have personally seen millions of dollars wasted.

They should increase defence and focus on Australia and the Australian military by mandatory gap year training after school

Need a hard look at what we are spending our money on. We need to be prepared for anything with unstable geopolitics but also not spend it wastefully like on the subs.

The amount allocated to the military should fluctuate based on need. The military should be funded to exist to ensure national security, but right now there are more pressing issues that need more funding like public health, welfare for disabled individuals, education, green energy etc.

Military spending should not divert money from more beneficial policies such as green energy transitioning and social services.

Increase, but by way of developing sovereign capability and export potential, with technology, manufacture and Australian employment.

Funding should increase and decrease with the severity of the need. If high risk of goig to war, increase. If no real threat, decrease

The world, the region and old alliances are less stable and more disordered than in recent decades and warfare has changed dramatically. In these circumstances it seems increases in smart military funding and cooperation make sense.

Increase, but with a higher emphasis on intelligence and espionage, and a "peace-through-strength" approach

Increase but establish domestic industry and focus on defence and not power projection assets like nuclear submarines or long range ballistic missles.

if there is need to then yes but if there is no need to add more money, they can put it somewhere else

Increase but only when our national debt is reduced (slightly if possible because the quicker we increase our military funds the better)

MORE FREEDOM LAUNCHERS PLEASE!!! (20x F-18 super-hornets, 2x fleet carriers, 3x B-52, 5x F-22 raptors, 10x F-35 lightnings, 5x F-16 and finally please give me a junior flight licence and a 1x C-172s)

Although we rarely go to war, increase because it is better for training and it is better safe than sorry.

Only when we are in risk of war, then we start using our money on defence. Make sure to get some new technology :).

Increase our budget and upsize the army. We need to be able to repel a potential invasion from China.

Decrease unnecessary spending on military assets that wont assist in national defence. I.e Australias recent purchase of Nuclear Submarines

Build strong defence; non-interference policy in foreign sovereighnty, particularly in support of US and NATO initiatives

Increase, but only after our deficit is drastically reduced unless China becomes a militarily problem.

Maintain what is necessary so increased in times of emergency and in peace time, maintained at set levels that do not infringe on other levels of spending and also are not intended for just foreign interventions.

it should be increased after improvements to education, health, social programs etc...

Decrease, and put more money into healthcare, education and general public well-being.

Decrease, and abolish the Australian Defence Force

yes, Only enough to be safe enough if it comes to war

We should spend the amount required to keep the country safe but should be eliminating money that is being wasted/rorted by inefficiencies in the system.

hhhmmm

Only if there is a need for it

I think they should increase it only if it is something we really need. I don't think it should be increased if they are going to spend it on nucellar weapons.

Increase, Military is Important right now due to rising tensions around the world

Focus on a defensive stance with contributing capability to UN sanctioned activities. No coalitions of the willing.

Decrease, by reducing the contractual complexity and reducing costs and increasing competition and the ability of military service providers to compete.

Able bodied citizens who are of age who work part time jobs out of laziness or refuse to work and live off government subsidies and welfare dependency should be forced into military service over a certain period of time.

I think we spend a decent amount on ADF services, but should increase funds towards menatl health support.

Increase, but redirect funds towards diplomacy, peace, cybersecurity, war crime prevention, and other incentives.

Increase, and redirect funds towards diplomacy, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, peacekeeping operations, support to civil authorities, physical training, self-improvement, technological and scientific advancements, cyber defense and more non-violent responsibilities

Increase, but use funds to promote diplomacy, peace and cooperation, as well as justice to hold war criminals accountable.

Yes, Australia should increase military spending, but we need to make sure that the cost of military spending is not outrageous or a dumb future plan like a nuclear sub, which bought six but added extra 2 more subs that the military doesn't have enough people to join the navy to operate the sub.

increase artillery and long-range missile arsenals, cut infantry funding, drones, missiles and nukes are the best defense/ deterrent to war and invasion

Decrease in absolute terms, increase in relative terms

Increase and use the military for emergency aid in internal and external issues (natural disasters), and also use as an education system (for internships and trade)

Use spending more efficiently

Neither but current spending should be more cautious and waste should be reduced

decrease but we still need a decent defence force and strong allies to help protect us

It should remain the same unless in time of necessity

The amount is okay, but more should be spent in Australian industry and less on overseas contracs

Having a good defence and being prepared in the case of disaster is of highest priority for a country.

Programs incentivising the people to become prepared including funds should be allocated towards subsidised emergency shelters both communally and for private dwellings, subsidised self defence classes, nation wide emergency preparedness drills, greater enlistment opportunities including working casually and removing barriers such as health and fitness requirements.
Increasing the military budget should see increase in it's uses including using military resources in times of floods, fires and drought and other crisis' where appropriate.

yes, but only increase when need be

Maintain, but refocus to modern defence technology that can be operated by the whole population: drones, tactical missiles and small arms to repel invaders, as well as larger mobile missiles to counteract navel and air attack

Increase: but only after an extreme review to focus on purchasing off the shelf/available equipment and technology to obstruct/discourage an agressor. Stop gold plating and favour unmanned platforms where practicable.

Yes but only on products made in Australia

Increase, but only after our deficit is drastically reduced, and only if the previous question is put forward - Should every 18 year old citizen be required to provide at least one year of military service? - Yes, but with less focus on military training and more focus on education and skill development

Neither, The same amount, but focus on climate change infrastructure, and not on corrupt and useless military toys.

whatever is better for the world

Yes, depends what happens in Ukraine

Decrease, until we stop supporting our allies wars (Afghanistan)

Need statistics before making decision

Everyone decrease spending.

get value for money, source the best regardless of origin

Australia should have nuclear weapons!

Should manage spending to provide the required level of service

Reorganise military spending to better utilise assets. No increase or decrease is needed, merely change.

Increase but deploy them for emergencies instead of ses. They should have all the ses funding and responsibility as well.

Military spending should be more inclusive of national disater recovery and foreign aid, not just "defence and attack" capabilities

Military spending should be about defence. Navy, and Airforce, and defence support for other countries in our region.

Should not give away 5 billion dollars .

I think there should be an overall increase in spending in Defence and Public Safety

Decrease, but increase funding to bolster our diplomatic capabilities

Don’t know enough about foreign policy

I would support it if it went purely to defence and navy not towards offence

Increase, but only after the current regime is deposed.

Should be decreased until deficits are reduced

Increase by 5%

They should get better at spending for military assets

The aim should be to reduce the military to zero within 25 years

The amount of money isn't as important as the correct decisions as to what to spend the money on

increase if it means more protection for people

Relevant to budget allocations so is equal and fair

Put the money somewhere else (eg cyber-defence, UN support)

No but not happy with how it is spent. We dont need new submarine that will be obsolete by the time it arrives

Decrease in line with increasing foreign aid and diplomacy

Moderately increase

Forget about land and sea. IGBM should be the priority

neither, but actually spend it on useful items

For defence of Australia only

Reduce government influence on military spending, audit to ensure spending is appropriate and necessary, then reassess to ensure capabilities are met

yes but we must be carful with China and North Korea and cannot completely rely on USA but to combat taxes rising some benefits that the tax payer pays for should be reduced for example the "benefits" that politicians get

Due to what is happening in our world at the moment in relation to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the possibility that this conflict could escalate onto a more global scale, I believe that due to the circumstances, Australia should increase military spending right now.

Decrease, too much funding is provided to the Department of Defence which is used to fund over paid contractors and inefficient processes

on good military products

In light of escalating aggressions led by Putin, plans for our local submarine industry need to be enacted judiciously and with sensitivity on the world ‘stage’. Therefore, to be pragmatic, an increase in spending is required.

Increase only when Australia is affected