The defence debate New Zealand needs is underway

When the last Defence White Paper was published in 2010 the Government noted that it had been thirteen years since the previous White Paper. It was also signaled that the Government wished to return to the provision of regular defence reviews.

On Tuesday Defence minister Gerry Brownlee announced the Government's intention to undertake the development of a new Defence White Paper this year.

Karl du Fresne has bemoaned that Anzac Day had come and gone and with it the opportunity for a meaningful discussion on defence. (Sentiment and history mask real need for discussions about defence, May 1) Sentiment and history, he contended, had gotten in the way of the need for real debate on contemporary defence provision.