Theme 06
Security and Investment
$130B AUKUS subs, $77B surface fleet, $1B Boyne Island smelter, $120B+ infrastructure pipeline
Theme 06 — Security and Investment
Source: https://budget.gov.au/content/06-security-and-investment.htm
Theme 06 is the capital-spending pillar: defence (centred on AUKUS), critical-minerals processing, transport infrastructure, disaster relief, and the post-Bondi attack security response.
Hierarchy
06 Security and Investment
├── 6.1 Defence ($53B over 10y + leveraged private capital)
│ ├── Undersea & nuclear-powered subs ($130B)
│ ├── Surface combatants ($77B)
│ ├── Uncrewed/autonomous systems ($15B)
│ └── Henderson Defence Precinct (WA, $12B initial)
├── 6.2 Critical minerals & metals
├── 6.3 Infrastructure pipeline ($120B+ over 10y)
├── 6.4 Disaster & community
└── 6.5 Post-Bondi security package
6.1 Defence
| Capability | Amount |
|---|---|
| Top-line investment (10 years) | $53 billion (plus leveraged private capital) |
| Undersea warfare + nuclear-powered subs (AUKUS) | up to $130 billion |
| Surface combatant fleet (Mogami frigates, Hunter class) | up to $77 billion |
| Uncrewed / autonomous systems (Ghost Bat drones) | up to $15 billion |
| Henderson Defence Precinct (Western Australia) — initial | $12 billion |
6.2 Critical minerals and metals
| Investment | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Boyne Island Aluminium Smelter | $1 billion | Unlocks $7.5B private investment |
| Whyalla Steelworks | $222.6 million | Administration and operations |
| Critical Minerals Facility | $1 billion | Strategic-reserve transactions |
| Selective mineral stockpiling | $150 million | |
| Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve operations | $20.4 million | |
| International critical-minerals commitments | $2.9 million |
6.3 Infrastructure pipeline — $120 billion+ over 10 years
| Project | Amount |
|---|---|
| New/ongoing nationally significant projects | $8.6 billion |
| Bruce Highway upgrade (QLD) | $812.5 million |
| M1 safety improvements (NSW) | $45 million |
| Active Transport Fund (10 yrs) | $500 million |
| Sydney–Canberra rail corridor | $50 million |
| Victoria Suburban Rail Loop East (this budget) | $3.8 billion (of $6.0B total) |
| Australian Rail Track Corporation equity | $1.75 billion |
6.4 Disaster & community
- Community infrastructure programs — $841.7 million.
- Natural disaster relief uplift — $2.5 billion.
6.5 Bondi attack response
| Measure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements | $21.7 million |
| Mental-health supports | $42.9 million |
| Counter hate-speech / terrorism / extremism | $604.2 million |
| Hate-crime and firearms law reform | $36.1 million |
| Jewish community security & infrastructure | $46.7 million |