US urges Australia to boost defence spending at alliance anniversary talks

The US has told Australia it must increase its defence spending, with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stressing the need for "capable allies" to contribute to collective defence during a Washington meeting marking the 75th anniversary of the alliance. The Trump administration has long pushed Australia to raise spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP, while Defence Minister Richard Marles has committed to reaching 3 per cent by 2033. Marles said Australia's budget now sits at 2.8 per cent of GDP, calling it the biggest peacetime increase in the country's history. The meeting also agreed to accelerate force posture initiatives at Australian bases and boost joint exercises. The US pressure follows its scaled-back defence commitments to South Korea, with Marles expressing ongoing concern about North Korea.