The Government will develop a Defence White Paper to be released next year which will underpin a costed, affordable plan to achieve Australia’s defence and national security objectives.
The White Paper will align defence policy with military strategy and deliver an affordable Australian Defence Force structure.
The Government is committed to returning Defence spending to two per cent of Australia’s Gross Domestic Product in the next decade as our budgetary position improves.
The Defence White Paper will assist in developing a costed acquisition programme and a 10-year Defence Capability Plan and an updated Defence Industry Policy Statement.
It will be informed by the Government’s Commission of Audit and a first-principles review of the Department of Defence that will be undertaken during 2014.
The Defence White Paper will also consider the merits of an enhanced Defence presence in northern Australia.
It will draw on parallel work being done on the Northern Australia White Paper, which the Government is developing in partnership with Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
In developing the White Paper, the Department of Defence will consult with industry, the public, Australia’s allies and regional partners.
The White Paper’s development will be supported by the Expert Panel announced previously by the Minister for Defence.
This Panel will provide input at all stages of the process, to challenge any key assumptions and ensure strong public consultation during the development of the White Paper.
The Government is committed to building a strong, capable and sustainable Australian Defence Force that will ensure our security and support our strategic interests into the future.
4 April 2014