Australia Defense Export Plan: Canberra's new strategy to grow raises concerns

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Australia has laid out an ambitious, multi-billion dollar plan to dramatically increase its defense exports. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says the push to become one of the world's top ten defense exporters will help create jobs and increase manufacturing. But some human rights groups are concerned about the potential impact from such a goal. CGTN's reporter Greg Navarro explains.

News of the Australian government's plan this week to become a global leader in defense exports spread quickly.

The government's Export Defence Strategy includes creating a nearly $4 billion AUD fund to establish loans to Australian defense contractors. It says the plan will unlock more jobs and investment in Australia's defense industry.

MARK MELATOS, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS, UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY "One characteristic of these industries is that they create a lot of spillover in terms of knowledge spillovers - it's not just the jobs you create in that industry but it's also the skills you develop in producing cars and electronics and other things."

And the announcement comes amid the decline of Australia's manufacturing industry, led by the exit of auto manufacturing last year. Australia already exports about $2 billion AUD worth of military equipment and technology, including the Bushmaster armoured 4-wheeled vehicle.

GREG NAVARRO SYDNEY "But Australia currently ranks 20th in the world in defense exports - accounting for less than 1% globally. The government's goal is to reach the top 10 in just 10 years."

The announcement is welcomed news for defense contractors, and will include investing millions of dollars in increasing and expanding the global supply chain. It's also raised concern among human rights groups.

DIANA SAYED INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA "It is really disappointing to see that it has become a 'jobs and growth' issue rather than creating more civilian deaths and casualties and we've learned nothing it seems in Iraq and Syria and our engagement with those countries."

Australia's Defense Export strategy will also give the government more control over what the country's defense contract companies can sell - and where those exports will end up. Greg Navarro, CGTN, Sydney.