2016 DEFENCE WHITE PAPER

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``Chapter Three: Australia’s
Defence Strategy
3.1 As outlined in Chapter Two, over the next two decades Australia’s
strategic outlook will change as the shift in global economic and
political power to the Indo-Pacific continues. Australia is fortunate to be
part of the most dynamic region in the world and we are benefiting from
the economic transformation in the Indo-Pacific and the opportunities
it is bringing to build Australia’s prosperity. In order for Australia
to continue to benefit from our region we will need to address the
challenges of a more complex and uncertain strategic environment.
SECTION ONE STRATEGY
3.2 In response to this complex and uncertain strategic environment, the
Government’s strategic defence policy is to manage strategic challenges
by: developing Defence’s capabilities and agility to take a more active
role in shaping regional affairs and to respond to developments which
threaten our interests; while strengthening our alliance with the United
States and developing our partnerships with other countries. This policy
is articulated in the Government’s new strategic framework for Defence to
ensure the ADF is better prepared to respond if the Government decides
the pursuit of Australia’s interests requires the use of military force.
3.3 The new strategic framework is set out in the table below and explained
in the rest of this chapter. The strategic framework explains why
Australia’s Strategic Defence Interests are of fundamental significance
for Defence planning, what they mean for strategic defence planning
– Strategic Defence Objectives – and how they will be reflected in the
future Defence force structure.
2016 DEFENCE WHITE PAPER