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

As I have said, the defence budget delivered by Labor in 2012-13 had defence expenditure as a percentage of GDP at 1.6 per cent—not seen since 1938 levels. We took that figure on Tuesday night to 1.8 per cent of GDP, on the road to the two per cent that we promised. The numbers are there for all to see. We on this side of the chamber are dinkum about Australia's defence. We are serious about protecting the men and women and the vital energy industries that go to East Asia into the future, come what may.

This government, may I say, has taken responsibility that was abrogated for the last five years in terms of defence. No nonsense—we are getting on with the job. The adults are back in the room!