Full spectrum defence: Re-thinking the fundamentals of Australian defence strategy

In a new Lowy Institute Analysis, Nonresident Fellow Prof. Alan Dupont argues that successive Australian governments have failed to clearly define the nation’s defence strategy.   

Full spectrum defence: re-thinking the fundamentals of Australian defence strategy argues that Australia needs a defence strategy that counters threats across multiple domains, is based on more diverse regional defence relationships, and is underpinned by better risk assessments and defence acquisition processes.

“Australia’s inability to clearly and succinctly define its defence strategy is a perennial failing.  Recent defence white papers are part of the problem: they have lacked coherence, their messaging has been poor, and many of their underlying assumptions and planning practices are questionable,” Dupont said.

“The upcoming defence white paper provides the first real opportunity for the Abbott government to carry out a much-needed reset of Australia’s defence strategy. Australia’s political leaders must resist the temptation to play politics with defence policy by interfering with good process. The next generation of Australians may pay the price for today’s poor defence decisions,” he said.

Dupont argues that the full spectrum model of defence must also be underpinned by deeper and broader regional defence partnerships with countries like Indonesia.

“In aggregate terms, power is seeping away from Western liberal democracies with which Australia has been traditionally aligned,” he concludes.