What would a national security White Paper cover?
The opening paragraphs of the Defence 2000 White Paper outline the purposes of the document they were to announce and explain the Governments decisions about Australias strategic policy over the next decade, set out a plan for the development of the armed forces, and to make a commitment to provide the funds required.(15) In contrast, the 2003 Foreign Affairs White Paper Advancing the National Interest restricts itself to setting out the challenges and strategies for Australias foreign and trade policy in the years ahead. A national security White Paper could usefully combine these two approaches to include a section setting out the national security challenges, followed by government strategies, plans and, most importantly, the commitment to provide the funds required. Such a White Paper would need to encompass all agencies involved in national security and which exist under the umbrella of the Defence, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Attorney Generals and Justice portfolios.
