An independent Australian Defence Force watchdog has accused Scott Morrison of politicising the nation’s troops following a major announcement.
The Prime Minister on Thursday said the ADF would undergo its largest increase in 40 years to grow by 18,500 soldiers, sailors and aviators to 80,000 total uniformed personnel by 2040.
Mr Morrison described the funding as a significant vote of confidence in Australia’s “outstanding” defence force, amid escalating China tensions and aggression from Russia.
Australian Defence Association executive director Neil James welcomed Mr Morrison’s announcement but questioned its timing, less than three months before an election.
“This is actually a process that’s been underway for some years. The announcement perhaps has been influenced by the election,” Mr James told NCA NewsWire.
“For the national interest, it’s a good idea the plan exists. The danger of talking about things like this is you run the risk of politicising things that aren’t political.”
Mr James said the defence force itself was among the most apolitical entities in the country but politicians sought to use it to their advantage.
“The Morrison government is perhaps prone to do it more than governments going back to the Gillard government, who did it a bit,” he said.
“There's always this temptation to do something in the defence arena that you think will win you votes.”
The Morrison government has been seeking to strengthen its defence credentials and turn national security into a key election issue before Australians to head to the polls in May.
Mr Morrison said earlier this week that the coalition was “proven choice” of voters when it came to managing the country’s national security interests.
Anthony Albanese said a Labor government would ensure Defence had everything it needed to protect the nation and deter aggressors.
“It is unwise to discuss specific defence acquisitions from opposition, where we do not have the detail of the benefit of detailed advice from all of the experts,” the Opposition Leader told the Lowy Institute.
“But what I can say is that it will be incumbent on us to deliver a frank assessment of our capabilities and a pipeline once we arrive in government.”
Mr Morrison said some of the additional personnel to be hired under the 2040 plan would be needed to operate new military capability include long-range missile systems and nuclear-powered submarines.
National Security Institute director Peter Leahy said Australia would also need “cyber warriors” and “space warriors” to defend itself in potexjmtzywntial future conflicts.
“There’s a range of new conflict types that need different types of people to be working on them,” the retired army chief told ABC News.
