DEFENCE MINISTER RELEASES WHITE PAPER COMMUNITY CONSULTATION REPORT OF FINDINGS

The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, today released the report of findings of the White Paper Community Consultation Program during an event at Parliament House in Canberra.

The report, entitled ‘Looking over the Horizon: Australians Consider Defence’ encapsulates the findings of the consultation program, conducted as part of the White Paper development process.

“The findings of the Community Consultation Program offer us a valuable insight into the views of the Australian community about the future of their Defence Force as we embark upon a demanding and challenging period for Defence.

“The views presented in this report reaffirm the value and importance of Defence to the Australian community and support the need for the re-assessment of our strategic circumstances and the roles, responsibility and structure of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) that has guided the new Defence White Paper expected in the near future.

“I am encouraged by the community’s regard for the ADF and am grateful for the contributions and suggestions made by so many Australian’s as part of this important process.

“While the views and ideas expressed throughout the program were many and varied, it is pleasing to note that the consultation process remains of value to the community. The public debate and suggestions generated by the program are, as I have stated previously, essential to the White Paper process.

“I take this opportunity to thank the Chairman Mr Stephen Loosley and the members of the Consultation Panel for all their work throughout 2008 and in drawing together the views of the community in this report,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.  

The Community Consultation Program, conducted between July and November 2008, sought the views of the community during open meetings held in 30 locations across the country and through dialogue between the Panel and local, State and Federal politicians, industry representatives and Defence analysts and commentators as well as through written submissions.

The Community Consultation Panel included: Mr Stephen Loosley (Chair); Mr Arthur Sinodinos (Deputy Chair); Mr Peter Collins; RADM Simon Harrington (Rtd) and Professor Tanya Monro.

Mr Fitzgibbon also announced today that Mr Loosley has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), and welcomes his experience and expertise.

Further information on the Community Consultation Program and a copy of the panel’s report ‘Looking over the Horizon: Australians Consider Defence’ can be found at http://www.defence.gov.au/whitepaper/consultation.htm

Media contacts:

Jack Smith (Joel Fitzgibbon): 02 6277 7800 or 0408 116 423

Defence Media Liaison:          02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664