Defence Housing Australia Amendment Bill 2025; Second Reading

Continued the debate

Taylor supported the bill as necessary for AUKUS implementation but moved a second reading amendment to note the absence of funding and strategic planning. Taylor argued that the strategic environment is the most challenging since the Second World War, requiring increased defence investment to at least three per cent of GDP. Taylor contended that the government was legislating ambition without resourcing it, risking a failure to host allied submarine crews effectively. Taylor emphasised that alliances underpin sovereignty and that delivery, not just rhetoric, is required to maintain credibility with partners like the United States and the United Kingdom.

Opposition response

Price supported the bill as a necessary step for AUKUS readiness but criticised the lack of new funding and housing supply plans. Price argued that failure to house allied forces would signal weakness and undermine alliance credibility, particularly as the United States reviews its commitments. Price highlighted the need to increase defence spending to three per cent of GDP and included cybersecurity as a critical component of national defence. Price warned that expanding Defence Housing Australia's responsibilities without expanding resources could displace housing for Australian Defence Force personnel.