‘Lift their game’: US demands Australia spend more on defence

News24 host Sharri Markson reveals defence spending was a key issue in Richard Marles’ talks with Pete Hegseth. “Defence Minister Richard Marles has met with his American counterpart, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth,” Ms Markson said. “Boosting the American military on Australian soil dominated the talks. “It looks like defence spending also came up, which probably would have been uncomfortable seeing as the Albanese government hasn’t done much to lift its share of defence from GDP.”