Launching the first Australian national security strategy today, Prime Minister Julia Gillard has outlined cyber security, regional stability and diplomatic relations as our major security concerns.
“Our principal national security focus will be on our own region, as the global economic and strategic centre-of-gravity continues to move east, bringing great opportunities but also risks and challenges that must be managed," she told the audience at the Australian National University in Canberra.
Australia's national security objectives, according to Ms Gillard, are regional stability, the behaviour of states, such as Iran and North Korea's nuclear missile programs, and the diplomatic “temperature” of China and the US in our region.
Highlighting Australia's non-permanent seat on the UNSC as a point of regional responsibility, Ms Gillard said that terrorism, extremism, and organised crime remain key threats.
“Terrorism is not defeated.” she said.
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Prime Minister Gillard also pointed to rationalising budgetary constraints across the government's national security departments
“Now, inevitably, we are in a period of consolidation and we need to get the most value out of every dollar expended.”
On cyber security she highlighted the government's new efforts to keep pace with cyber threats, while also indicating support for internet freedoms.
"Malicious cyber activity will likely be with us for many decades to come, so we must be prepared for a long, persistent fight."
“The internet must remain open, but also be secure.”
