By Denis Hay
Description
Australia defence spending rises again, but urgent social needs go unmet. Learn why jobs for peace matter now.
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Introduction
Australia defence spending has surged with a $12 billion commitment to submarines and shipyards in Perth. This choice raises a serious question: why do billions flow to military projects while ordinary Australians face a housing crisis, rising healthcare costs, and job insecurity?
Statistic spotlight: The government says 10,000 jobs will be created. Yet, the same number could emerge from renewable energy, social housing, and education, sectors that build peace, not war.
The truth is, our priorities are upside-down. We can do much better.
The Problem – Why Australians Feel Stuck
Root Cause: Defence over people
The Albanese government, backed by Defence Minister Richard Marles, has chosen to pour public money into AUKUS projects. This is not about affordability. Thanks to the Australian dollar’s sovereignty, funding is always available. The real issue is political will, choosing submarines over schools, shipyards over hospitals.
Related reading: Why Australia needs monetary sovereignty reforms.
Offensive defence or true security
What we are seeing is not simply about protecting Australia. Billions are being funnelled into offensive defence projects, aligned with AUKUS and U.S. military ambitions in the Asia Pacific. A true defence strategy would focus on safeguarding our people and territory. Instead, we are tying ourselves to weapons systems that expand American power, not Australian security.
Do ordinary Australians want their taxes funding U.S. aggression, or do they want safe housing, strong healthcare, and secure jobs at home?
Consequences for citizens
Ordinary Australians feel the impact every day. Housing stress is on the rise, hospital waiting lists are growing, and TAFE campuses are struggling for funding. The government celebrates “record defence funding”, but what does that mean for families who cannot afford rent?
The Impact – What Australians Are Experiencing
Everyday effects
- Housing crisis: Tens of thousands wait for public housing.
- Job insecurity: Many work casual shifts without benefits.
- Healthcare strain: Rural hospitals lack staff and funding.
Instead of easing these pressures, billions are committed to military spending.
See more: Cost of living pressures in Australia.
Who benefits
Defence contractors and global partners profit from military contracts. Taxpayer funds are redirected to shipyards and submarine deals, while communities miss out on housing, education, and healthcare.
The Solution – What Must Be Done
Australia’s monetary sovereignty and reform
Because Australia controls its own currency, it can fund both security and social progress. The question is not “can we afford it” but “what do we choose to prioritise”? A Job Guarantee linked to renewable energy, healthcare, and housing would create lasting jobs for peace.
Policy solutions and demands
- Build 50,000 new public housing units.
- Fund TAFE and universities to train the next generation.
- Invest in renewable energy industries for sustainable employment.
- Strengthen healthcare to eliminate waiting lists.
- Redirect defence dollars to diplomacy and peace-building initiatives.
Imagine an Australia where investment flows to communities, not weapons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is Australia defence spending currently used for?
Mainly for submarines, shipbuilding, and AUKUS commitments.
Q2: Can jobs for peace be compared to defence jobs?
Yes, renewable energy, housing, and healthcare can create equal or greater employment opportunities while enhancing social well-being.
Q3: Why does dollar sovereignty matter here?
It means the government cannot “run out of money.” The limit is a political choice, not affordability.
Q4: Who benefits most from defence contracts?
Global arms companies and contractors, not ordinary Australians.
Q5: How does this affect the housing crisis?
Funds that could build tens of thousands of homes are tied up in military projects.
Final Thoughts
Australia defence spending has become a symbol of misplaced priorities. By exposing offensive defence for what it is, an extension of U.S. military power, Australians can reclaim the debate. Defence should mean protecting people, not fuelling foreign aggression. By embracing jobs for peace and dollar sovereignty, we can build a nation that invests in housing, healthcare, and education instead of weapons. The choice is ours.
What’s Your Experience?
Do you believe Australia defence spending should fund submarines, or should it create jobs for peace that serve ordinary Australians? Share your view below.
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References
Government sinks defence billions into ships and subs
This article was originally published on Social Justice Australia
Also by Denis Hay:
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Makes one wonder if Albanese has abdicated to Marles, the American plant.Albanese is quoted as saying having to abandon his Sydney electorate office is”doing his head in”.
The decisions he continues to make are doing my head in, and I suspect there are plenty of others.
Defence spending, to save us from whom? Just who in reality is likely to attack Australia prior to us getting (possibly) nuclear submarines?
Why are we (the people) continually bombarded with FEAR politics?
The $billions spent on “defence” would be far better spent on raising condition here in Australia, health, housing, education, all could do with a revitalisation.
A very well written article that shows how scewed Australian politicians are towards the warmongering US “Military Industrial Complex” that President Eisenhower warned about. Suckerphant Richard Marles is dangerously so far up the arse of the USA that its a wonder we can see his feet. Australians need to understand how frightening our anti china aligment with the USA can lead us. The US is continually and stupidly threatening a war with China. China has warned us on multiple times that if the US starts a war with China, that China will hit US bases in Australia without warning. This is insanity considering the consequences. Tens of thousands of Australians will die, because of the proximity to population centers. Seeing as Albaneses is moving his office, might I suggest he moves his office and home to alongside Pine Gap so he can be the first to die.
Thank you, Harry, Jonangel, and Thomas, your comments show how deeply Australians are questioning this government’s priorities.
Harry, you highlighted how leadership seems lost to foreign interests.
Jonangel, you reminded us that fear politics distract from real needs like housing, healthcare, and education.
Thomas, you powerfully pointed out how our alignment with U.S. war strategies risks dragging Australians into conflicts that ordinary citizens never asked for.
The truth is simple: billions for “defence” could be billions for peace, jobs, and a fair go here at home.
Since my Facebook account has been suspended, I need your help. Please share this article across your networks, with friends, family, and community groups. Let’s keep the conversation alive where it matters most.
Explore more on political reform and Australia’s monetary sovereignty at Social Justice Australia: https://socialjusticeaustralia.com/
Together, we can push for an Australia that invests in its people, not in foreign wars.
Correction.
Explore more on political reform and Australia’s monetary sovereignty at Social Justice Australia: https://socialjusticeaustralia.com.au/
The tectonic plates of World Powers is increasingly shifting and fractuious , Political upheavals ,Territorial disputes abound and Un- resolved , think , Russia and Ukraine and the biblical ancient ongoing dispute between the Jews and the palestinians, and there are many others over the centuries.etc.
But , an increasly paranoid America with its Strategic Ambiguity with Taiwan and the south seas – Its in this context Australia is a sitting Duck .!!!!!.
It Appears Australia has been a sleep at the wheel for far too long when it comes to its sovereinity and its lack of defensive capabilities that could wipe us off the map in a blink of an eye from Foreign powers – or even an Enemy With In , ……..
I’m all for peace – but the reality is Australia has to have the detterence factor and capability that would make other war mongering countries think twice about bombing us and taking us out, we cant just accept this in this day an age we wont be attacked , we will , Its not if , its when , …………….
Will we be a sleep at the wheel, she will be right mate ,??????.
We are living the most dangerous times since the 1st and 2nd world Wars, Australia needs more then ever to defend it self , we should of had a independent , sovereign defence capability long ago with out needing the United States ..!!
And now we are playing catch up with Billions and billions ,
we should of been ahead in military spending decades ago ,thats the whole point ,Instead , its a panic, mad looney tunes of walking down the Subservient road of the United States which will bog down this country in deficit and no submarines or anything else to show for probably 15 years or more ,we are sitting ducks because we have not planned for it and or prepared for- Worst – Case- Scenarioes ,
She’ll be right ,laid back attitude- has nutured this cultures for far too long and we will be caught in the cross fire with our pants down .
Final thoughts , Social needs and social justice is very important.
But a nation who has no independant sovereinity in defence and miltary capability and detterent have no citizens or a nation at all ( its too late if we get Nuked or similar! )
We have to have- In Defence of Australia FiRST and or Our people – or face extinction by neglect and sheer Incompetence Of our defence posture from the ground up to the highest levels of Government .
The greatest Social need and Justice is to make sure Australia is adquately protected from any future threats ,Other wise , there is No more Australia way of life ,
Cause, we are still.Asleep at the Wheel and a Reality Check is urgently needed ..
P.S , ( May – Peace n Diplomacy and dialogue prevail ) so in order that Social Justice issues can take precadent and be administered in a Fair Go Society where no body gets blown off the map or left behind ……… !
I think we were taken over years ago. All we have are shopfront governments.