BUDGET 2008-09

WHITE PAPER TO PROVIDE NEW DIRECTION IN DEFENCE SPENDING

The Rudd Labor Government’s new Defence White Paper will outline a new direction for future Defence planning and expenditure, Minister for Defence Joel Fitzgibbon announced today.

The White Paper was commissioned in February this year and will deliver on a major Labor Defence election commitment.

“The new White Paper and the associated Force Structure Review will clearly set out the Government’s plans for the size, capacity and shape of the Australian Defence Force for the next 20 years or more,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

The White Paper and associated Force Structure and Companion Reviews will also propose reforms to Defence business functions and processes that will seek to improve efficiency and generate savings for re-investment in priority areas of Defence.

“Every dollar spent in one area of Defence is a dollar not available to be spent in another.  We cannot afford to waste a single Defence dollar through poor planning.  That is why the new White Paper is so important.

“It will help us make fully-informed and cost-effective decisions about the equipment we need,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Closely linked to the White Paper development process is the Defence Budget Audit.  The Audit will examine efficiency, effectiveness and risks associated with the Defence budget process.

The Audit will also seek to identify areas for improvement and increases in efficiency in the way Defence manages its budget processes.  The findings and recommendations of the Audit will feed into the White Paper development process.

“The White Paper process involves a fundamental reassessment of our strategic interests and a proper analysis of funding to allow disciplined and cost-effective choices to be made,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Media contacts:

Christian Taubenschlag (Joel Fitzgibbon):             02 6277 7800 or 0438 595 567

Defence Media Liaison:                                           02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664