Why does Australia spend more on military than Canada considering we have less people?

Australia spends $30billion a year of GDP on Military when we only have a population of 22.5million people, mean while Canada a country of 36million spends $18billion a year of GDP on military. Wouldn't this money that Australia currently spends on the military a year be better of to be spend on public health and education and other needy government programmes? What are your comments to that?Why does Australia spend more on military than Canada considering we have less people?Australia's neighbors include countries that are always on the verge of becoming Islamic fundamentalist dictatorships.



Canada borders the US, which is unlikely to stir up much trouble along that border.Why does Australia spend more on military than Canada considering we have less people?
Canada doesn't have the worlds most populous islamic country, who happens to hate our guts, living next door. They also have the United States to come to their defence (as an extension of the US defence zone) in the event of any major security threats. Meanwhile Australia exists on her own in a sea of failed republics, dictatorships and countries on the brink of war with each other. North Korea recently started producing missiles capable of reaching the Australian mainland. What surprises me is that Australia doesn't spend more than she does on the military. Incidentally, education and health budgets are the domain of the states. If the money isn't being spent right, then perhaps you should be asking your state government what they did with all that GST revenue they collected last year.



@ alarm:



The US would be far more diligent in ensuring the security of a country next door than 10,000 kms away on the other side of the Pacific ocean where any major incursion isn't going to directly affect them (shy of losing a spy base or two). The US is big on asking favours and a bit shy on giving them (their very limited response to helping in East Timor is an example). It should be readily apparent that there are elements both in the government and generally in Indonesia that find having an outspoken hedonistic western nation next door is anathema to their beliefs and way of life. Australia has already been targeted twice in Bali by Indonesian terrorists (with Al Qaeda support) and our Embassy in Jakarta has been bombed a few times now. Indonesia continually refuses to co-operate with Australia concerning people smuggling. Within their own country there are regularly conflicts with the majority muslim population using force to put down christian minorities. The atrocities and human rights abuses on Ambon, West Papua and East Timor (when under Indonesian occupation) are testament to this. The mainstream Indonesian press is constantly making disparaging comments against Australia and her role in the area. They are not scary muslims. But they are a large nation with a chip on their shoulder and we won't be invited to their party anytime soon.Why does Australia spend more on military than Canada considering we have less people?There are some relevant geographical differences, but I would agree that Australia does spend more than is necessary on defence.

Contrary to cc's answer, it doesn't have anything to do with the scary Muslims living in Indonesia (which is a secular democratic country with which we have generally very positive relations). And Australia has its own security agreement with the US.



cc, the Bali bombings were tragic events for Indonesia, as well as for Australia. Indonesians were killed in those attacks, and it really should go without saying that the Indonesian government and the vast majority of Indonesian people are strongly opposed to such acts of terrorism. I really don't understand how you think we need billions of dollars of military spending to protect us from another victim of terrorist attacks.

The mainstream press in Indonesia certainly isn't any more critical of us than you are of them. And anyway there are plenty of Australians who are critical of our role in the region. What does political criticism have to do with our military budget? Are you suggesting we should use the army to control dissent in other countries?

Julia spoke with the Indonesian President just a few days ago and he was positive about taking certain steps to prevent people smuggling. They may not be doing everything we want them to, as quickly as we want them to do it, but that's to be expected in international relations. It certainly doesn't suggest that they're going to invade us, or whatever you're trying to imply.

The Australian and Indonesian governments are also working together on an economic agreement at the moment.Why does Australia spend more on military than Canada considering we have less people?
Megan , have a look at a map ! We are an independent , isolated nation with a huge coastline that is almost impossible to defend %26amp; no other friendly sod in the region able to help us in an emergency...



All our defence force can hope to do in the short term is stall any attack until the cavalry can get here ...



Canada on the other hand shares a border with the good old US of A %26amp; can be assured of assistance if anything was to go pear shaped ...Why does Australia spend more on military than Canada considering we have less people?Because we *have* to follow America's footsteps.



We have to go to Iraq and Afghanistan and fight with them.



We need to solve international problems before we solve our own national problems. Even with the bushfire season around the corner.



It's just sad.Why does Australia spend more on military than Canada considering we have less people?
Look on the countries around you - how many conflicts there have been in recent 30 years? Now do the same in Canada.

On the other hand, with increasing russian activity in the north, Canadina army will probably need to rise its expenses...
Australia is a war mongering, beer swilling, bunch of hooligans. Canadians spend their money on hockey and ok...beer.