Australia’s Minister for Defence Sen. John Faulkner yesterday released the government response and proposals to improve information sharing on defense capabilityplans
At the same time, he released the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) Report on the Disclosure of Defence Capability Planning (DCP) Information.
ASPI’s made 10 major recommendations that fall under four headings: increasing the range and precision of information; enhancing the flow of information between defence and industry; improving the reliability of information; and providing more useful information about industry priorities.
“Making sure the ADF has the capabilities it needs to do its job is one of the highest priorities and greatest responsibilities for me as Minister for Defence,” Faulkner said.
Acquiring the equipment to support capabilities involves long-lead times, large costs, leading edge technologies, and complex relationships with other sovereign states, multi- national and local defense manufacturers, he said.
Information in the Public DCP is to give industry guidance for planning future investment and maximizing involvement by Australian-based companies. Providing industry with early and regularly updated guidance on Defence’s long term capability plans will allow industry to develop meaningful contributions to the capability definition process and better understand Defence’s capability requirements.
The Public DCPs also allows industry to identify business opportunities as well as the skills, technology and infrastructure it would need to support Defence plans.
The Public DCP also provides the Australian public with information about government defence capability procurement plans to ensure transparency and accountability in public spending.
Among improvements, the new DCP will provide additional project schedule information, including new information for industry in the form of forecasting a timeframe for Initial Materiel Release, Faulkner said.
The government also announced proposals to provide greater transparency in Defence planning.
A one-stop shop website will be created to provide links to Defence capability and acquisition programs with regular on-line updates as an enhanced resource for industry.
“Defence Capability Planning is a fundamental part of Australia’s ability to defend our nation, our community and our interests.
“Flexibility, transparency and accountability are necessary to meet the needs of the ADF and the expectations of the Australian community,” Faulkner said.