TWENTY-TWO billion dollars-That's how much the Liberals have set aside for the military over the next 12 months. That's nearly 10 per cent of all government spending, representing a 150 per cent rise in the military coffers since 1996.

It includes a further $300 million on the war in Iraq, $450 million on the war in Afghanistan, and $100 million on the troop presence in East Timor.

The government is also spending big to fix falling recruitment levels. According to Defence Minister Brendan Nelson, the government needs "to tap into the idealism of young people, and people not so young, to join the military.

"The army, navy and air force offer young people a sense of purpose and fulfilment as they defend and improve the lives of others at home and abroad."

But is it any wonder that nobody wants to sign-up to the army given the disaster in Iraq or the brutality of the war in Afghanistan?

How does wasting billions on military recruitment help people in East Timor, where the average wage is $US3 a day?