Should Australia increase or decrease military spending?
In February 2016 the government announced that military spending will increase Military spending will grow by $29.9b through 2026. Australia’s military budget is the 12th largest in the world. The 2016 increase will rank Australia 9th amongst world Defence budgets as a percentage of GDP. Proponents of a larger budget argue that it is necessary due to recent disagreements between the US and China in the South China sea. Critics of a larger budget argue that it sets off an unnecessary arms race and will provoke China into creating a larger naval force to offset it.
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Response rates from 103k Australia voters.
39% Increase |
33% Decrease |
34% Increase |
33% Decrease |
5% Increase, but only after our deficit is drastically reduced |
Trend of support over time for each answer from 103k Australia voters.
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Trend of how important this issue is for 103k Australia voters.
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Unique answers from Australia voters whose views went beyond the provided options.
@9ZPK3385mos5MO
Increase, but only for defence purposes and decrease when the likelihood of Australia going to war decreases significantly
@B4V6XVY12hrs12H
Believe they should pull out of submarine deal and uses the money another way like drone defence. And explore drone submarines?
@B4SJYMN3 days3D
Increase For defence of the nation, but eliminate AUKUS and move towards a Commonwealth defence pact.
@B49RWGV3wks3W
We should divert spending from AUKUS to spend on more reliable defence strategies and infrastructure
@B48WS3Z4wks4W
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
@B45LXSB4wks4W
Increase, with less dependence on the US encase they don't assist Australia in a war or conflict erupts from them
@B45LH7Y4wks4W
Investing into defensive and diplomatic AI efforts could be helpful, otherwise I am satisfied with current spending
@B3KQBX42mos2MO
diplomatic mechanisms should be further bolstered so that wasteful spending on stockpiling weapons isn't needed.
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