Former Senator Amanda Vanstone Comments on Tony Abbott's Lack of Support for Britain
Liberal Minister Surprised by Abbott's Stance
ABC News Australia Counterpoint Podcast | ABC Radio National Australian Broadcasting
Former Liberal minister Amanda Vanstone has expressed surprise at Tony Abbott's lack of support for Britain. Next week on Wednesday, Penny Wong will discuss the issue further on the ABC News Australia Counterpoint Podcast.
Vanstone, a former senator for South Australia and a member of the Howard government, said she was "very disappointed" that Abbott had not followed the example of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Sunak had recently announced a significant increase in military spending in response to the war in Ukraine.
"I think it's very important that we send a strong message to Russia that we are not going to tolerate their aggression," Vanstone said. "And I think that increasing our military spending is one way to do that."
Abbott has said that he believes Australia's current military spending is sufficient. He has also argued that the war in Ukraine is not a threat to Australia.
Vanstone disagrees. She said that the war in Ukraine is a "wake-up call" for Australia. "It shows that we can't take our security for granted," she said. "We need to be prepared to defend ourselves."
Conclusion
Amanda Vanstone's comments highlight the ongoing debate about Australia's military spending and its role in the world. Her perspective, as a former senator and member of the Howard government, adds to the discussion and leaves readers with a lasting impression about the importance of supporting Britain and countering Russia's aggression. 
The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
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