The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) has responded after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese lashed out at the independent defence think tank.
Mr Albanese criticised the institute over its latest report warning that the government risks falling behind in its military preparedness amid rising global threats.
The report expressed concern about the Albanese government’s defence funding levels, which plateau about 2.3 per cent of GDP by 2033-2034.
“I mean seriously, they need to, I think, have a look at themselves as well and the way that they conduct themselves in debates,” Mr Albanese told ABC Radio when asked about the report.
“We’ve had a Defence Strategic Review. We’ve got considerable additional investment going into defence – $10 billion.”
However, under the government’s own projections, defence spending is forecast to reach 2.33 per cent of GDP by 2033–34, up from about 2.05 per cent in 2025-26.
Mr Albanese also delivered a veiled swipe at ASPI’s independence and credibility, saying the institute’s findings were “predictable”.
“ASPI regularly produce these sort of reports, you know, run by people who’ve been in a position to make a difference in the past as part of former governments,” he said.
“You know, like, I think it’s predictable, frankly. What we’re doing is getting on with the defence assets and providing the investment for those assets to be upgraded.”
ASPI Executive Director Justin Bassi has since responded, calling on the government to “learn lessons from other countries and regions” about underinvesting in defence.
“Our job… is not to seek praise. Obviously no one likes criticism, but we want to enhance the debate,” Ms Bassi told Sky News on Thursday.
“It doesn’t matter whether people agree or disagree, the public really should be told what these threats are and why the policy settings are the way they are.
“ASPI was set up to deliver the hard truths to the government of the day, regardless of who’s in power.”
Mr Bassi maintained the institute was not telling the Albanese government there was no defence spending, but that the dangerous geopolitical climate demanded more.
“Unfortunately the world has these threats that do impact Australia and to counter these threats we need to, unfortunately, spend more money in the area.”
ASPI’s 2025–26 budget brief warned that the country faces “a perilous strategic environment”.
These include “the rise of aggressive authoritarian powers, multiple conflicts around the world, persistent and evolving terrorism, foreign interference and the normalisation of cyberwarfare”.
The report singled out China’s growing military assertiveness and technological influence.
Former prime minister Scott Morrison has also warned of China’s increasing defence capabilities and called for the AUKUS pact to be expanded into outer space.
“Space is increasingly part of what we must now do in defence,” Mr Morrison told Sky News on Wednesday.
“There’s not a thing you do almost today—whether it’s on land or in sea or in air—that doesn’t depend on the assets and capabilities that you have in space.”
ASPI further warns that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) may be ill-prepared for threats in the current decade.
“Given that most of the major acquisitions won’t arrive until well into the 2030s and 2040s, we must ask the unnerving question of whether the ADF is too hollow for military operations,” the report said.
ASPI concludes with a call for “candour about the gravity of the threats we face” and the need for “frank and fearless” public debate.
“We don’t expect all readers to agree with our positions. Indeed, we welcome debate and disagreement in the hope that Australia will be stronger, more prepared and more resilient for the challenges we confront now and will face in the future.”
