Natalie Barr demands answers about the threats Australia faces as Albanese ... trends now
The Albanese government has been pressed by Sunrise host Natalie Barr for answers on the threats Australia faces, following the announcement of a $50 billion funding boost for the defence force over the next decade.
Defence Minister Richard Marles unveiled the new national defence strategy and investment program on Wednesday, which includes naval upgrades.
The spending boost will provide an additional $5.7 billion over the next four years and will increase defence funding to 2.4 percent of GDP by 2033/34.
It will be the largest growth in military spending since 1949.
During an interview with Mr Marles on Sunrise, Barr asked: 'Who else besides China are we protecting ourselves from?'
Sunrise host Natalie Barr (pictured) questioned Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles over Australia's $50billion military upgrade
The rise of China and its growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region had created the most challenging strategic environment since World War II, Mr Marles (pictured) said
'In our region, we are witnessing the biggest conventional military buildup since the Second World War, which is China; that is an inescapable fact.'
Mr Marles said that China's efforts to reshape the world had increased over the past ten years and stressed the importance of enhancing defence capabilities to protect the Australian way of life.
'We really do live in a world and a region which is less certain where we need to be more capable. We're going to make sure we develop that capability.'
Mr Marles said the funds would be focused on protecting Australia's trade routes in the Asia Pacific, as China's network of military bases in the region continued to expand.
Barr pointed out that Australia should have started upgrading its navy decades ago.
'A former top bureaucrat wrote a defence paper 15 years ago and basically it sounds like he's furious that no-one listened to him. That was in 2009,' she said.
'He said, 'Both sides of politics should be judged harshly here because no one listened'.
'Do you accept that? He says we're starting from scratch here?'
Mr Marles pointed the blame on the previous coalition government, including the failed French submarine contract.
'There was no doubt as
