Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the Morrison government’s repeated warnings about a more dangerous world loomed large over the federal budget.
“Tonight, we gather as war rages in Europe,” Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said, setting the tone for a speech riddled with ominous references to how a Labor government would cut defence spending.
“The lesson of history is that weakness invites aggression. It leaves nations vulnerable to coercion. This is the reality we must confront. The world is less stable.”
The actual growth in defence spending doesn’t reflect a radical departure from the last Frydenberg budget. It’s set to increase 3.1% on 2021-22, and 7.1% over the forward estimates. Still, the government’s boost to military expenditure, flagged over the last few weeks, is considerable.
Frydenberg pointed to the government’s $38 billion plan to boost the size of the defence workforce, adding 18,500 additional personnel by 2040, and bringing defence spending to 2% of GDP.
What’s really changed, though, is the heightened prominence of defence and national security in the budget. This year’s budget papers, for example, contain a separate glossy document entitled “keeping Australians safe”, fronted by a picture of two airforce pilots, which covers everything from the crisis in Ukraine to the government’s successes in the battle against COVID-19.
Reading through the document, and the rest of the budget, offers a glimpse into a terrifying world filled with cyber-criminals, terrorists, people smugglers, Russia and China.
There’s an additional $9.9 billion over 10 years to support the Australian Signals Directorate’s offensive and defensive cyber capabilities, which the treasurer claimed was the “biggest ever investment in Australia’s cyber-preparedness”.
Over the next five years the government will spend $148.4 million to protect against terrorists and violent extremism, including money for a National Convicted Terrorist Offender Register.
Operation Sovereign Borders — the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison government’s plan to stop refugees arriving by boat — makes an appearance, with Home Affairs getting $136.7 million to improve naval surveillance and tackle people smuggling.
There’s $278.2 million over four years to address transnational organised crime, including $170.4 million to the Australian Federal Police and Home Affairs, and $116.8 million for the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
And for Ukraine, there’s $156.5 million in assistance, including $91 million in lethal and non-lethal military aid.
As the government invests billions in ammunition to fight its khaki election, the message to voters is clear: it’s a scary world out there, and Labor can’t be trusted to keep you safe.
