The Cost of Defence: ASPI Defence Budget Brief 2006-2007

This document has been written to give readers greater access to the complex workings of the defence budget and to promote informed debate on defence budget issues.

Global Forces 2005: Proceedings of the ASPI conference

Seventeen of the world’s sharpest strategic thinkers debate the key issues shaping global and Asia-Pacific security at ASPI’s inaugural conference held over 2 days in September 2005.

This is a 2 volume set with Day 1 topics on Global Strategy and Day 2 on Strategic Change.

Your Defence Dollar: The 2005-06 Defence Budget

This year’s federal budget was about laying the foundations for sustained prosperity in the Australia in the face of an ageing population.  So, more than ever, its important that every defence dollar is spent to best effect.  With this in mind, this report, prepared by Mark Thomson, aims to inform discussion and scrutiny of the Defence budget and the policy choices it entails.

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.

The Cost of Defence: ASPI Defence Budget Brief 2005-06

This report interested readers greater access to the complex workings of the Defence Budget and promotes informed debate on Defence budget issues.

Section_3_final_1.pdf – PDF (176.0 KB)

Section_4_final_1.pdf – PDF (205.6 KB)

Section_5_final_1.pdf – PDF (207.2 KB)

Section_6_final_1.pdf – PDF (208.7 KB)

Section_7_final_1.pdf – PDF (330.9 KB)

Section_8_final_1.pdf – PDF (295.6 KB)

Section_9_final_1.pdf – PDF (243.7 KB)

Section_2_final_1.pdf – PDF (610.8 KB)

War and Profit: Doing business on the battlefield

The past fifteen years have seen a rapid growth in private sector firms supporting military operations.  More recently, the ADF has employed the private sector to varying degrees in East Timor, Bougainville, Afghanistan and Iraq. 

The paper, prepared by Mark Thomson, puts forward four recommendations on how the ADF could work with the private sector.

View the Legal Opinion on the status of non-combatants and contractors under international humanitarian law and Australian law prepared by Professor Donald R Rothwell.

Strategic Insights 8 – Capability of First Resort? Australia’s Future Amphibious Requirement

This paper looks at the future of the ADF’s amphibious capability in the light of the government decision to purchase two large 24-27,000 ton amphibious vessels to replace HMAS Manoora, Kanimbla and Tobruk. The paper aims to highlight the issues and options that need to be considered by the government.

Your Defence Dollar: The 2004-05 Defence Budget

This year’s Defence budget is much like last year’s. A lot more money has been provided to maintain today’s ADF, while a significant chunk of planned investment in tomorrow’s force has been deferred.  Are we getting good value for money for our Defence dollar?  It is worth knowing.

The Cost of Defence: ASPI Defence Budget Brief 2004-2005

The publication gives the reader greater access to the complex workings of the Defence Budget and is intended to promote informed debate on Defence budget issues.

A Big Deal: Australia’s future air combat capability

This paper prepared by Aldo Borgu is a detailed assessment of the Australian Government’s decision to effectively purchase the US F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to replace its existing fleets of F/A-18 and F-111 aircraft.

It assesses whether the JSF might achieve the government’s air combat requirements against a number of factors.