The devil in the detail: Australia’s first National Security Statement

This Policy Analysis, authored by Carl Ungerer and Anthony Bergin, examines the inaugural Australian National Security Statement released last Thursday by the Prime Minister. The statement goes some way to outlining the broad range of risks and threats facing Australia, but it represents only a partial strategy. At this stage, the jury must remain out on whether a number of the changes the statement suggests will work to improve our national security.

Special Report Issue 17 – The thin green line: Climate change and Australian policing

This report examines the implications of climate change for Australia’s police forces and officers.

The report has a number of recommendations including the creation of an information hub and the development of risk assessments of the locations that will be most affected by climate change as part of a multi-agency strategic approach to climate change adaptation.

Special Report Issue 16 – Public opinion in Australia towards defence, security and terrorism

This paper traces the public’s changing views of the main issues relating to defence and security over an extended period. Authored by Professor Ian McAllister, it identifies three key views of the public on defence and security. ASPI contributors include Carl Ungerer, Rod Lyon and Andrew Davies.

The paper builds on previous ASPI publications Attitude Matters: Public opinion in Australia towards defence and security and Representative Views: Mass and elite opinion on Australian security also authored by Ian McAllister.

Neighbourhood watch: The evolving terrorist threat in Southeast Asia

The regional terrorist threat remains high on the list of Australia’s national security priorities. It is time to take stock of the regional security environment and to ask how the Southeast Asian terrorist threat might evolve in the future.  This report, authored by Peter Chalk and Carl Ungerer, analyses the changing nature of religious militancy and sets out a framework for understanding the forces and trends that are driving jihadist extremism in the region. A number of policy recommendations are made on the appropriate next steps in Australia’s regional counter-terrorism strategy.

The publication was launched at Parliament House by The Hon Mr Robert McClelland MP. For information on the launch including the speech click here.

The intelligence reform agenda: What next?

Intelligence is now at the forefront of our national security effort.

Recent reforms have delivered more money and more people to the intelligence community but limited structural changes.

This paper offers an assessment of the intelligence reform agenda and proposes some further steps towards restructuring the intelligence community and its activities to meet the national security challenges of the next decade. It argues that reforms to the coordination mechanisms, community engagement, education, training and accountability regimes are necessary to ensure that intelligence continues to play a central role in Australia’s national security.

The next Defence White Paper: The strategic environment

This Policy Analysis examines the challenges confronting the forthcoming Defence White Paper.The paper argues that the White Paper needs to define the relationship between three core variables: a complex strategic environment, a set of decisions about Australia’s role in the world, and the constraints that limit that role.

An Office of National Security: Making it happen

Prior to the election, Labor promised two innovations in national security.

First, a Department of Homeland Security and Second a new position of National Security Advisor. 

The Homeland Security agency concept has been shelved, subject to a review, and its confirmed that the National Security Advisor isn’t a Ministerial position.

Assuming the National Security Advisor promise is still on the table, what might one look like?

Widening horizons: Australia’s new relationship with India

The report examines the effects this will have on the strategic architecture of Asia and the challenges facing Australia in developing the relationship between the two countries.

Given India’s rise as a significant Indian Ocean and Asian power, Australia has pressing reasons for developing a more secure platform for a lasting relationship.

Special Report Issue 4 – Are we ready? Healthcare preparedness for catastrophic terrorism

In this report the authors suggest that while positive steps have been taken in recent years, there are deficiencies in our healthcare system for mass casualty care. It suggests that further steps need to be taken to meet our healthcare preparedness, response and recovery goals for mass casualty incidents.

While recognising that some hospital resource issues would need a response by the States, there are significant steps that can and should be taken by the Australian Government.

Strategic Insights 17 – A Shift in Focus? Australia and stability in East Asia

This paper tracks some of the key recent changes in Australian perspectives on East Asian stability and offers broad recommendations for future policy towards the region.

It is authored by Dr Robert Ayson, Director of Studies at The Australian National University’s (ANU) Graduate Studies in Strategy and Defence program.