03 February, 2012

Ministerial indecision blamed for sub burden

The plan for a replacement to the Collins class submarines to be designed, built and tested by 2025 will not happen until at least 2032, Rear-Admiral Rowan Moffitt, the head of the future submarine program, has said. ASPI's Andrew Davies said the delays were "due to decisions not being made by government - but, no the other hand, I don't believe the quality of information needed to make a decision has been available... The Government has not made obtaining that information a priority."

Canberra Times, p8
Canberra Times online

02 February, 2012

Carr sinks cheap subs

New Defence Materiel Minister Kim Carr said yesterday no existing models of submarines from overseas were suitable for the Navy because they would need to be modified to meet Australia's defence needs. Senator Carr's comments came as an Australian Strategic Policy Institute paper, Should Australia build warships?, warned no credible case had been made for continuing any naval construction in Australia. The paper said that with $40 billion in navy vessels planned over the next 20 years, there are few proven economic or security benefits and substantial costs to building military vessels in Australia. A 2009 ASPI paper which estimated 12 European subs could be bought for as little as $9 billion compared with $36 billion for an Australian design and build sparked a fierce debate in the defence community.

Australian Financial Review, p11

01 February, 2012

Navy plans questioned

Australia will probably be throwing away billions of dollars if it builds new naval vessels here as part of a misguided attempt to retain a local industry, according to infrastructure economist Henry Ergas. Mr Ergas co-wrote Should Australia build warships? with ASPI's Mark Thomson and Andrew Davies.

Sydney Morning Herald, p2
Port Macquarie News online
Muswellbrook Chronicle
Port Pirie Recorder
Naracoorte Herald
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Albury Border Mail
Gloucester Advocate
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Port Augusta Transcontinental
Eyre Peninsula Tribune
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Queensland Country Life
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Fairfield Champion
Farm Online, The Land
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Canberra Times
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St George & Sutherland Shire LEader
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See also: "$36b to splash on subs", Courier Mail, p20
"'Billions could be lost' by building new subs", Sydney Morning Herald, p4
"Cost warning on building warships", The Age, p5
"Subs project long range", Adelaide Advertiser, p11

01 February, 2012

Our vulnerable north

While Paul Dibb is relieved that Defence has got its eye back on the ball, Hugh White is unconvinced that we need to be doing more in the north west than we are currently doing.
The proposal to boost Australia's military presence in the north will pose a new personnel challenge for the ADF.
"Just imagine you are posted to a major ADF facility up there and you look across the fence and see people getting paid three times as much working for Rio Tinto," says Andrew Davies of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

The Australian, p13

01 February, 2012

Defence plan a potential minefield

Moving bases to defend resources in the nation's north will be expensive, writes Andrew Davies.

Australian Financial Review, p55

01 February, 2012

Key positions announced at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI)

Peter Jennings, currently the Deputy Secretary for Strategy with the Department of Defence, has been selected to be the new Executive Director of ASPI following the retirement in April of the incumbent, Major General Peter Abigail (Retd).

ASPI is one of Australia’s leading public policy think-tanks. It is an independent, non-partisan policy institute established by the government to provide fresh ideas on Australia's defence and strategic policy choices.

“Peter was selected for the Executive Director’s position after an extensive global search process,” said Mr Stephen Loosley, Chairman of the ASPI Council. “The Government has now confirmed the appointment.”

“I am pleased to welcome Peter to this position,” Mr Loosley said. “He is a very experienced strategist having worked at the highest levels of Defence and Government over many years.”

“I know that he will bring high quality leadership and analytical skills to ASPI, and further build on the solid reputation of the Institute.”

“I also want to thank Peter Abigail, who is the outgoing ASPI Executive Director,” Mr Loosley said. “Peter Abigail has served ASPI with distinction over the last seven years. He has steered the Institute through a period of significant change and growth, including successfully renegotiating ASPI’s financial agreement with the Department of Defence. Under Peter’s leadership ASPI has cemented its leading role in defence and strategic policy thinking in Australia and been recognised as one of the world’s leading security and international affairs think tanks,” Mr Loosley said.

The Government has also extended Stephen Loosley’s term as Chairman of the ASPI Council.

“I am pleased to serve in this capacity,” Mr Loosley said. “At a time of international change Australia faces a growing range of strategic challenges. ASPI can play an important role in improving the quality of Australia’s strategic policy thinking.”

“I am looking forward to working with Peter Jennings on continuing to strengthen ASPI’s influence and putting forward new strategic thinking for Australia,” Mr Loosley said.

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Note: Peter Jennings bio is available here. Peter Jennings will not be available for interview until he leaves the Defence Department and starts at ASPI in late April. We will advise the media on his availability. Mr Loosley is available for interview at the following number: 02 6270 5110

You can also read the press release from the Minister for Defence here.