Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the chamber for leave to make a few brief comments, as this was my motion. I invite Senator Johnston to come back if there are some elements of this motion that he could have agreed to. What motion 904 sought to do was re-introduce some context of public consultation to the white paper process. The 2009 white paper was flawed, and it is not only the Australian Greens but also people right through the defence community who are saying that. They believe that the 2009 white paper was unfocused, overly ambitious and focused on exotic hardware at the expense of sustainment and the troops that we put into the field. But, at least, for all its failings it attempted to get a view of the Australian people on defence spending, on strategy and on what we think the security challenges of this century are.

The coalition has just voted against a motion—as has the government—which was asking how the Australian public can get involved. I think we are going to need to revisit this issue and make sure the views of the Australian people are heard.