May 9, 20234:45 PM GMT+7
FILE
PHOTO-Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese participates in a bilateral
meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden (not pictured) at Navy Gateway Inns and
Suites, in San Diego, California U.S., March 13, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis
SYDNEY, May 9 (Reuters) - Australia said on Tuesday that it
would spend billions of dollars to improve ties with neighbouring Pacific
nations and shore up its defence capabilities, as it looks to counter China's
growing strategic influence in the region.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's second budget since his
centre-left Labor government was elected in May last year has pledged A$1.9
billion ($1.3 billion) over the next five years to expand engagement with
Pacific nations.
"The Albanese
Government is delivering a transformational package of support to the Pacific,
to respond to Pacific priorities and ensure our shared interests in a peaceful,
prosperous and resilient region," the government said in a statement.
Of the total figure,
A$1.4 billion will be spent on expanding Australia's defence engagement in the
Pacific over the next four years and strengthening law enforcement in the
region.
About A$114 million
will go to supporting regional architecture while A$300 million will go to the
labour schemes between the Pacific and Australia over the next four years.
Canberra has looked to
build its defence capabilities amid concerns about rising global geopolitical
tensions and China's growing influence among Pacific island nations.
Defence spending as a
proportion of GDP will lift above its current trajectory to be 0.2% higher by
2032-33, the budget showed.
Over the next four
years, the government will invest more than A$19 billion to implement the
priorities identified in a defence strategic review released last month, the
budget statement said.
"Ultimately,
defence spending will grow over the medium term, which is in line with the
strategic circumstances," defence minister Richard Marles said in a
statement.
The spending includes
A$9 billion for the nuclear-powered submarine programme through AUKUS, a
trilateral security pact with the United States and Britain, and A$4.1 billion
for long-range strike capabilities.
($1 = 1.477 Australian
dollars)
Reporting by Alasdair
Pal and Praveen Menon; editing by Sam Holmes
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-boost-pacific-defence-spending-budget-2023-05-09/
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