The concept of collaborative leadership has emerged as potentially a new method of operating within Australia's national security community.

With the publication of the 2008 Review of Homeland and Border Security (also known as the ‘Smith Review’) and the subsequent Prime Minister’s National Security Statement, the need for greater collaboration within a significantly expanded national security community has become apparent. As a consequence, collaborative leadership is now regarded as an ‘idea in good currency’ within Australia’s national security community.