How hard would it be to double our Defence spending?

In line with the NATO demands US President Donald Trump has made of European countries, we also have received a message care of Defence Secretary Hesgeth to up our spending on Defence or else.

So if we did this, how would we fund it?  Debt, tax or cut spending elsewhere? Surprisingly Defence is well down the list of departmental budget spending and given the longer term nature of planning there could be ways and means to do this .

Image: Image: Courtesy R Chambers

Produced By: Roderick Chambers

Featured In Story: Dr Dominic Meagher – Deputy Director and Chief Economist John Curtin Research Centre

First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 2 July 2025