David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I draw the minister's attention to the fact that this year the share of GDP for defence spending will fall to 1.56 per cent, the lowest figure in 74 years. Next year, defence spending will fall to 1.49 per cent, the lowest share since 1937. Just why is the government engaging in such budgetary vandalism with defence funding and as a consequence compromising our national security?