The Morrison Government has again put national security firmly on the election radar with a massive cash splash on defence and a $10 billion investment in cyber capabilities.
Tuesday night’s budget was firmly focussed on easing cost of living pressures for millions of Australian households, but the Morrison Government has also launched a new cyber and national security offensive in the lead-up to the next election.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg unveiled a new record funding arrangement for the Australian Signals Directorate. Picture: Martin Ollman/Getty Images The new operation will more than double ASD’s capabilities by creating 1,900 new jobs over the next decade. “REDSPICE ensures Australia keeps pace with the rapid growth of cyber capabilities of potential adversaries. It provides new intelligence capabilities, new cyber defences to protect our most critical systems, and is a real increase in the potency of ASD’s ability to strike back in cyberspace.”
The 2022-23 defence spend is expected to hit more than two per cent of GDP, up from 1.5 in Labor’s last year in office.