Australia Completes Defense Consultations (Oct. 5)
The Chairman of the Defence Review 2000 Community Consultation Team (CCT), the Hon. Andrew Peacock AC, today delivered the Report on the community consultation process to the Minister for Defence, John Moore.
The Report, 'Australian Perspectives on Defence', is the result of eight weeks of community consultations attended by more than 2,000 Australians in 28 cities and regional centres around the country.
Nearly 1,160 submissions were received from members of the public and interest groups, and consultations included meetings with state and local government officials,
The Community Consultation Team included Dr David McGibbon, Mr Stephen Loosely and Major-General Adrian Clunies-Ross (rtd).
"This level of public consultation on defence and security issues is unprecedented," Mr Moore said. "It is the first time in Australia's history that the community have been asked to play a part in shaping the future of our nation's defence.
"The Team set out to encourage and note community discussion on Defence issues, then crystallize the community's views in their report to Government," Mr Moore said. "They have done an excellent job and I thank them for their efforts."
The views of the Australia community will contribute to the development of the Defence policy statement (known as the Defence White Paper) which will be released before the end of the year.
The Community Consultation Team's report will be released in conjunction with the White Paper.
