The next government has a primary requirement to be well briefed on the challenges inherent in Australia’s strategic circumstances and the policy options available to it. ASPI is publishing this report to layout our strategic choices and to provide recommendations. Contributors are Peter Jennings on strategic policy, Mark Thomson and Andrew Davies on defence, Anthony...

A number of recent policy documents signal the Australian Government’s intent to deepen defence engagement in the Asia–Pacific, and future defence policy statements are likely to reinforce that objective. The Australia in the Asian century White Paper clearly established Asia as our primary economic and strategic focus. Australia’s first National Security Strategy gave as the...

This paper explores four hard questions about the upcoming Australia in the Asian Century White Paper being finalised by former Treasury Secretary Dr Ken Henry and his team. The paper asks: Will the White Paper focus on the right region in the right way? How will it address strategic risks? How will it treat defence...