Funding Australia's defence

Abstract

This paper examines the attempt made between 1976 and 1983 to significantly raise expenditure on defence, and to direct a higher proportion of the total to the purchase of equipment. The nature, scope and consequences of this plan's failure is discussed, and deficiencies in the capital stock of the Australian Defence Force are indicated. Yet the funding of defence during this period was probably more liberal than usual in Australia, and similar to that of many countries in less favourable circumstances. This dichotomy suggests that a fundamental rethinking of defence policy may be necessary. Show more