Albanese under pressure to increase defence spending as US visit looms

It’s hardly surprising Australia’s defence chief would want more money spent on defence. Any self-respecting member of the top brass would champion an increase in military funding. But Admiral David Johnston’s willingness to make his case so publicly yesterday has piled more pressure on the Albanese government at a critical moment. In less than two weeks, the prime minister is due to hold his first face-to-face meeting with the US President, whose administration is now openly calling on its ally and AUKUS partner to lift its game on defence spending. The UK (the third AUKUS partner) is already doing just…