Big boost for Australia's defense budget

PM John Howard has been unflagging in his support for the U.S.-led military actions

CANBERRA, Australia (CNN) -- Australia will substantially boost its defense spending in Tuesday night's annual Budget in the wake of the new global security environment following September 11.

Australia had already committed to lifting spending by more than $500 million (Aust. $1.039 billion) in 2002-2003 as part of a massive restructuring of the defense forces outlined in December 2000.

But it is expected the defense spend will be lifted beyond that figure because of the nation's commitment to the U.S.-led war against terrorism and the introduction of a zero-tolerance border protection policy enforced by the Australian navy.

Last Budget, Australia allocated $11.2 billion (Aust. $20.75 billion) to defense.

Prime Minister John Howard said Thursday there would be "a very substantial additional allocation of money for defense" which was "very understandable in the light of our strategic and military position".

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"Australia's role in the worldwide fight against terrorism is a very important matter of priority at the present time," Australian Associated Press reports Howard saying.

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"We have put more money into defense spending and unless circumstances change significantly it may be the case that we will have to put even more money into defense spending in the year ahead.

"It's an important commitment, because what happened in the United States last year was as much an attack on the values that we stand for, as it was an attack on the values for which the American people stand," he said.

But it is defense spending closer to home that is likely to raise questions on Budget night.

The government has been attacked in the past for not revealing the cost of the increased naval patrols to Australia's north, following an international incident in August last year.

The Howard government stepped up naval patrols after refusing entry to Australian waters of a Norwegian freighter that had rescued asylum-seekers from a sinking vessel.

Since then, navy vessels have been turning back refugee vessels or transferring asylum-seekers to detention camps on the Pacific island nation of Nauru, and Manus island in Papua New Guinea.

Peace-keeping

It is understood the increased patrols are costing an estimated $160 million (Aust. $340 million) a year.

Australia has also committed a total of 1,550 troops to the military action in Afghanistan along with fighter jets, surveillance aircraft, navy frigates, transport ships and refueling aircraft.

Australian troops are also involved in peace-keeping duties in the new nation of East Timor.

While the government has been non-committal on whether it would support further military action, such as an attack on Iraq, Howard has been resolute in his support for the U.S. actions so far.

In December 2000, the government agreed to spend an extra $12.7 billion (Aust. $23.5 billion) on defense for the next 10 years in what was hailed as the biggest military shake-up in more than 20 years.

That spending included boosting troop numbers by 5.5 per cent to 54,000 full-time troops, buying up to 100 new aircraft and significantly upgrading the navy.