Opposition leaders propose a new ‘defense school’ while warnings persist of a threat from China
Australia’s Labor Party has put forward a plan to hike security spending in the Pacific and devote resources to training regional allies, with an opposition spokesperson blasting the current government for failing to address the alleged growing threat posed by China.
The center-left party unveiled an idea on Tuesday to “build a stronger Pacific region,” saying that it would boost engagement with local partners should Labor win elections set for May 21, including with a new “Australia-Pacific Defense School” for military training.
While it did not elaborate on exactly what role the school would have, the party also called for a twofold increase in funding for the Pacific Maritime Security Program – saying it would help to “protect Pacific countries’ economic exclusive zones” – as well as to boost “Australian public media content to…
