AUSTRALIAN STRATEGIC POLICY INSTITUTE (ASPI) STATEMENT OF INTENT

This Statement of Intent has been prepared in response to the Statement of Expectations from the Minister for Defence conveyed to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) through the following documents:

• Statement of Expectations from the Minister for Defence (26 September 2008)
• The Charter Letter from the Minister for Defence;
• ASPI's Company Constitution; and
• The Funding Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and ASPI.

ASPI was established by the Australian Government with the object of functioning as a strategic policy research centre, independent of Government, providing policy-relevant research and analysis to better inform Government decisions and public understanding of strategic and defence issues. The scope of ASPI's research program has been broadened in recent years to incorporate some wider national security issues, both in response to strategic realities and in anticipation of government adopting a more expansive whole-of-government approach to national security.

The purpose and development of the Institute is enunciated in the ASPI Direction Statement and Strategic Plan 2007/08 - 2010/11. In seeking to fulfil ASPI's Charter more effectively the Council focuses on three strategic goals:

• Building our recognition as Australia's leading national security, strategic and defence policy research centre;
• Partnering for improved impact and to meet the needs of our stakeholders; and
• Securing a financial foundation for growth.

In support of these strategic goals in 2008-09 ASPI will:

• Produce a minimum of five major reports on key issues relevant to Australian strategic and defence priorities;
• Produce a minimum of ten shorter publications on topical subjects that arise in public debate;
• Conduct two 1.5 track strategic dialogues;
• Complete at least five commissioned tasks for various agencies;
• Secure at least 20 per cent of its operating funding from sources other than the Commonwealth Funding Agreement;
• Maintain open access to ASPI publications on the ASPI website;
• Offer opportunities for the next generation of Australian strategic thinkers by providing paid internships for graduates and student internships in conjunction with the Australian National Internships Program;
• Host up to four Outreach Seminars;
• Host one Major Conference (Global Forces 2008); and
• Host a range of events designed to facilitate interaction between policy specialists and the wider Australian community.

ASPI will continue to produce high quality policy research on key national security issues to enhance Government decision-making and improve wider community understanding of these issues. ASPI will also ensure that its people continue to demonstrate the expected behaviours of a professional research organisation by nurturing and maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders, in both the public and private sectors, nationally and internationally.

The ASPI Council will monitor the Institute's progress against its strategic goals and key objectives, periodically reviewing ASPI's key performance indicators to ensure the cost-effective fulfilment of our Charter, utilisation of Commonwealth and other funds, and the continued excellence of the institute's research and products.

10 December 2008