Australia's place
in the world

Relationships in our region and around the world

For nearly a decade Australia was missing as a good partner to our neighbours and a strong leader in the world. Our inability to move forward on issues like climate change meant Australia was being left behind.

We’re getting to work repairing and strengthening relationships in our region and around the world.

  • Reset relations with France and China
  • Provided military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine
  • Affirmed Australia's commitment to a $200 million climate and infrastructure partnership with Indonesia
  • Reinvigorating our relationships with our closest neighbours in the Pacific, including through our commitments to tackle climate change
  • Attended the Quad Leaders' Summit, the NATO Summit, the Pacific Island Forum, the Australia-New Zealand Leaders' Meeting, ASEAN and the G20

Defence

Australia is facing the most difficult strategic circumstances since the Second World War. To meet these challenges we must invest in Defence, including through the acceleration of important capabilities and activities, and the reprioritisation of those which are no longer fit for purpose.

Over the next four years, the Albanese Government will invest $19 billion to implement the immediate priorities identified in response to the Defence Strategic Review. These include:

  • $9 billion for the nuclear-powered submarine program through AUKUS
  • $4.1 billion for long-range strike capabilities
  • $3.8 billion for northern base infrastructure
  • $400 million supporting Australian Defence Force personnel through a new continuation bonus
  • $900 million on defence innovation, to establish the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator and through AUKUS Pillar 2.

Veterans Affairs

The Albanese Government is investing an additional $328.1 million in the 2023-24 Budget to support the more than 340,000 veterans and dependants, including 6086 veterans in Spence accessing services through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).

This builds on the $537.5 million invested in the October 2022 Budget as part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to ensuring a better deliver a better future for veterans and their families.

The 2023-24 Budget includes:

  • An additional $64.1 million in 2023-24 to retain more than 480 DVA staff who are working to deliver frontline services to veterans and families and clear the claims backlog in DVA.
  • $2.0 million to continue important mental health awareness and suicide intervention training for volunteers supporting veterans.
  • $400 million for the Continuation Bonus initiative which will see $50,000 bonus payment initiative will be available to permanent ADF members at the end of their initial mandatory period of service, if they serve another three years. This Continuation Bonus is expected to benefit approximately 3,400 ADF personnel in the first three years of the scheme.

In addition, the Albanese Government is continuing to:

  • Deliver on its $46.7 million election commitment to expand the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs network to improve supports for veterans, current serving ADF members, reservists and families across the country.
  • Provide up to $3.5 million (during the 2023–24 financial year) for the Saluting their Service Grants program. These grants provide up to $150,000 for a range of projects, from local-community based commemorations, to national, state, territory and regional based commemorations.
  • And from 1 January 2023, 209 veterans in Spence benefitted from the delivery of the Albanese Government’s election commitment to increase the annual rate of the TPI veteran pension by $1,000 per year.