Explore our Plan
- No nuclear submarines
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Every dollar spent on defence should enhance the safety and well-being of people, not fund wasteful and dangerous projects.
The attempted $375 billion acquisition of nuclear submarines under AUKUS is a glaring example of unchecked government spending with no effective oversight.
This decision not only diverts resources from addressing real threats – such as the climate crisis – but also escalates regional tensions.
The purpose of the AUKUS project is for Australia to play a small part in the US military’s containment of China. It is not about defending Australia.
The Greens' plan:
- Work to stop the $375 billion purchase of AUKUS nuclear submarines and reform the system that allowed the project to be approved.
- Supporting Our Pacific Neighbours
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Australia's defence policy should not threaten our neighbours, but defend people from the most immediate and existential risks, including the climate crisis.
The Greens are working to strengthen the stability and safety of the public and region, prioritising the most significant threats to defence and security – including climate change.
The Greens' plan:
- Ensure transparency on climate security risks by publishing the findings and recommendations of the climate security risk assessment report by the Office of National Intelligence.
- Guide defence and security policies with evidence by commissioning a publicly available, independent, recurring assessment every 1-2 years of the security risks posed by climate change.
- Refocus defence policies on protection and cooperation by commissioning a new Defence Strategic Review to prioritise protecting people and strengthening relationships with our neighbours.
- Address the ADF's harms to personnel and civilians
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The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is responsible for protecting, not harming, its personnel and the civilians it impacts.
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has exposed disturbing levels of abuse, assault, and neglect within Defence, leading to tragic and preventable harm.
Accountability and action are urgently needed to address these systemic failures. The Greens are committed to meaningful reforms to protect lives, ensure justice, and rebuild trust in Defence institutions.
The Greens' plan:
- Commit $100m to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s interim report, including changes to public immunity protections.
- Defending Australia
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Australia deserves a defence force focused on protecting its people and its territory, not entrenching itself in unnecessary military ventures. For too long, the ALP and Liberals have enabled wasteful defence spending on outdated equipment and vanity projects while avoiding accountability.
The Greens believe in reshaping defence policy to prioritise transparency, accountability, and efficiency, ensuring taxpayer funds are spent on protecting Australia rather than serving foreign interests.
The Greens' plan:
- Cut wasteful defence spending by reducing overall expenditure and eliminating unnecessary, costly procurement projects like AUKUS nuclear submarines, the Hunter Class Frigates and Abrams tanks.
- Cancel other other unstrategic projects including Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles, F-35A JSF, H135 Juno, Arafura Class offshore Patrol Vessel, MQ-4C remotely piloted aircraft system, Collins Class submarine including Collins Class Communications and Electronic Warfare Improvement program, MRH90 Taipan and TLH MRH90, Airborne Early Warning and Control System, P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol and Response, and special purpose aircraft.
- Make defence procurement more efficient by increasing overprogramming to 36%.
- Ensure transparency and accountability by implementing stricter oversight of defence projects and requiring clear, public justification for spending decisions.
- End expensive and wasteful projects and focus on real defence needs by scrapping programs such as the Triton drone system and reallocate funds to independent, domestic defence manufacturing capability for our defence needs .
- Stop promoting Australia as a global arms dealer by ending the goal to be a top 10 arms exporter, reversing Australian Government funding for weapons exports, and mandating full transparency on Australian arms exports, including details on end users, costs, and capabilities.
- Refocus on defending Australian territory by reducing reliance on the US and shifting to independent defence strategies designed to protect Australia's air and sea approaches without threatening our neighbours.
- Apply an annual 1% efficiency dividend to remaining expenditure within the Defence portfolio.