Australian PM Albanese defends defense budget amid report criticizing its future readiness.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the country's defense spending against a report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) suggesting it may not address future threats. The report claims the 2025/26 defense budget misses key opportunities to prepare the military. Albanese countered that his government is conducting a defense review and plans to increase spending to around 2.3% of GDP within the decade. The ASPI report recommends urgent reform in collaboration with industry, national resilience measures, and improved transparency and public messaging.