Defence 2000: Our Future Defence Force
Abstract
Following the last federal election, the Government made a commitment to publish a Defence White Paper in this term of parliament. That decision reflected a recognition that the Defence Force was under real pressure to meet an increasingly complex and diverse range of tasks within a budget that had remained relatively constant in real terms over the past 15 years. The Government had become concerned that a mismatch had arisen between our strategic objectives, our defence capabilities and our levels of defence funding. In response to those concerns the Government has produced in this White Paper - the first since 1994 - the most specific and detailed defence plan in more than 25 years. It announces and explains the Government s decisions about Australia s strategic policy over the next decade, and it outlines the Government's plan for the development of our armed forces, matched by a commitment to provide the funds required. It is the culmination of a year of intensive government review of Australia s defence needs. This review included an extensive community consultation program, led by The Hon. Andrew Peacock, AC. In a parallel activity, the views of the people in Defence were also sought by a Defence Consultation Team. The defence of our country and our community from armed attack is one of our highest national priorities. But we need to be sure that the defence budget is spent wisely and that we are not spending more than is necessary. Defence decisions therefore need to balance two of the most powerful imperatives on government - security and fiscal responsibility - and these decisions need to bear in mind competing priorities for government expenditure and the Government s overall fiscal strategy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA481122
Entities
Organizations
- Department of Defence