Boost for military

AUSTRALIA will fast track its spending on military hardware including an increased presence on offshore counter terrorism operations as it seeks to develop its “deter and defeat” strategy.

Yesterday’s Budget has recommitted Australian troops to its various overseas operations with significant money allocations particularly for Operation Okra in Iraq, and also possibly now Syria, with an extra $100 million to secure that region for the future.

A commitment was also made closer to home with Defence assistance increases this year in South Pacific countries, most notably Papua New Guinea and Timor.

The defence Budget overall will be grown to 2 per cent of GDP by 2020-21, three years earlier than initially forecast.