Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Defence Minister Stephen Smith launched Australia’s new Defence White Paper in an RAAF hangar in Canberra. They were flanked by Australia’s senior military chiefs and defence officials, against the backdrop of some impressive looking hardware and a military band. The hangar was open to the elements, so we could all enjoy one of those crisp autumn days which Canberra does so well.
The Defence WP is the final part of a series comprising the National Security Strategy, published in January, and the Asian Century WP released last October. It updates Australian policy since the last Defence WP in 2009, taking account of a number of changed circumstances: an economic, strategic and military shift to the Indo-Pacific region; the drawdown of Australian forces in Afghanistan, Timor-Leste and Solomon Islands; the US re-balance towards Asia Pacific; and the budgetary consequences of the Global Financial Crisis. It sets out strategic frameworks and also Australia’s plans on major aircraft, ship and submarine procurements.
This will be viewed with much interest in Britain. As the White Paper says “Australia and the United Kingdom enjoy a deep defence relationship… it is more important than ever for us to work together to address common challenges… reflected in the signing earlier this year of the Australia-UK Defence and Security Cooperation Treaty.”