Defence White Paper 2016 - Defence Science and Innovation

The 2016 Defence White Paper, and the associated 2016 Defence Industry Policy Statement, give much prominence to the need for innovation. This initiative is to be welcomed, and is for three basic reasons. First, as we go further into the ‘Age of Asia’, Australia faces increased challenges in ensuring its national security and in promoting its broader interests; second, science and technology and their application to warfare continue to advance, often at breath-taking speed; and third, the Coalition Government is adopting policies that emphasise the criticality of innovation for Australia’s prosperity across all facets of the country’s economy.