Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has defended Australia's defense spending amid calls for an increase as a percentage of the country's GDP. Marles emphasized the importance of focusing on dollar amounts rather than GDP percentages during a recent interview.

The Australian government recently committed an additional $12 billion over the next decade to enhance an AUKUS defense facility near Perth. This investment aims to expedite the delivery of nuclear-powered submarines as part of the AUKUS agreement with the United States and the United Kingdom. Marles noted that the Trump administration has been urging Australia to raise its defense spending to 3.5% of GDP, up from the current level of about 2%.

In an interview with ABC's AM, Marles was asked multiple times about the reluctance to disclose the exact percentage of defense spending relative to GDP. He stated, "What matters is the ultimate dollar figure that you're spending. We've been completely transparent about that." He added that if NATO's method of calculation were used, Australia's defense spending would be approximately 2.8% of GDP.

Marles described the current increase in defense spending as the largest peacetime boost in Australia's history. He reiterated that the focus should be on the actual dollar amount allocated to defense rather than the percentage of GDP, which can vary based on different calculations.

In related news, Marles is set to travel to Papua New Guinea alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to sign a significant defense treaty. This treaty is expected to integrate the military forces of both nations. PNG Defense Minister Billy Joseph mentioned that "external influences" have attempted to undermine the treaty, although he did not provide specific details.

Marles expressed that he was not surprised by the pressure surrounding the defense deal, stating, "We are living in a much more geostrategic contested world."

Additionally, Marles criticized recent protests outside Prime Minister Albanese's electorate office, which led to its closure. He called the protests a "complete disgrace" and noted that they hindered constituents from accessing government services. Marles remarked, "The kind of protests we've seen outside of the prime minister's electorate office over the last couple of years have been a complete disgrace."

In political developments, Senator Jacqui Lambie warned Opposition Leader Sussan Ley to strengthen her leadership or risk losing her position by Christmas. Lambie expressed concerns about the Coalition's declining support in recent polls, stating, "I don't know how to put this, but the Liberals get a new leader or Sussan Ley grows actually stronger."

As Prime Minister Albanese prepares to celebrate Papua New Guinea's 50th anniversary of independence, he aims to finalize the defense treaty this week, despite concerns from some former PNG defense officials regarding its alignment with the country's non-alignment policy.