Lowy Institute security experts comment on Australia’s Defence White Paper

This morning the Australian Government launched the 2013 Defence White Paper.

The Lowy Institute's security experts have been closely following developments in Australian defence policy and Australia’s changing security environment, providing commentary and original research.  Last year the Lowy Institute’s Interpreter blog, with support from the Australian Department of Defence, ran an online discussion of ‘Australian Defence Challenges’.

‘This Australian Defence White Paper comes at a critical time, as the nation faces a worsening strategic environment in Asia and the Indo-Pacific region’ said Rory Medcalf, Director of the Lowy Institute’s International Security Program.

‘A clear defence strategy must match the politics of defence funding with the military’s ability to provide real force options for government to secure Australia’s national interests,’  said Lowy Institute Military Fellow, James Brown.

Please join Lowy Institute security experts Rory Medcalf and James Brown for a press teleconference at 1PM today. Rory and James will offer their analysis of the Defence White Paper, followed by a Question & Answer session with journalists.

Join the discussion on Twitter with #ausdef 13, and follow @LowyInstitute, @Rory_Medcalf, @Captainbrown

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PRESS TELECONFERENCE : Friday 3 May, 1PM (Australian Eastern Standard Time)

Australian participants: Dial  1800 804 595
International participants: Dial +61 3 8687 7715
Guest Access Code: 96023539
Follow prompts as directed by moderator
Any problems during the teleconference: Call Eureka Customer Support: 1800 857 079

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Rory Medcalf:  Will provide analysis of the strategic dimension of the Defence White Paper, especially regarding the challenges, risks and potential threats in Australia’s Indo-Pacific Asian region. He will comment on Australia’s overall strategy and whether the White Paper is a realistic response to the challenges of the Asian century, including how it is likely to be received by major countries such as China, US, India, Japan, Indonesia.   Rory’s analysis draws on his experience as an intelligence analyst with the Office of National Assessments, where he was responsible for assessing strategic threats and challenges in Australia’s Asian region, as well as on his experience as a diplomat.

James Brown: Will provide analysis of defence policy aspects of the Defence White Paper, including judgments on the structure and posture of the Australian Defence Force, military operations, and military personnel. He will discuss the military capabilities offered by the Defence White Paper and the likely response to the White Paper by the United States. James’s analysis is underpinned by his experience as an Army officer in the Australian Defence Force.