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New Kokoda Paper released
Skin in the Game: Realising Australia’s National Interests in Space to 2025
by Brett Biddington
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Space is no longer the sole preserve of the national security community. Australia is dependent on foreign owned and operated satellites for basic services such as timing and navigation, communications and remote sensing. However, Australia has very little influence in the bodies that govern and regulate the peaceful use of space-based utilities. Any disruption or denial of these services will have a negative impact not only on national security but also on the economic and social well-being of the nation.
Australia has been spared the substantial costs associated with investing in the development and sustainment of national space capabilities. These investments were met largely through alliance relationships, in particular with the United States. Australia gained significant strategic and operational benefit from space-based utilities by permitting ground stations to be based on its soil. This situation is no longer sufficient. |
New technologies have reduced the traditional barriers to operating satellites. An increasing number of nations and commercial bodies are developing space-based capabilities. In turn, as the competition intensifies, so the risk weapons being deployed into space also grows. In order to participate as a middle level power in the emerging debates about space security, many of which have global implications, Australia must put ‘skin in the game’ to ensure it has a confident, credible and respected voice. This report outlines a modest investment program that will allow Australia to protect and advance its national interests in space into the future.
For more information see Kokoda Papers. Hard copies can be ordered here.
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You are warmly invited to
The Young Strategic Leaders’ Forum August event
Where: |
Thursday 28 August 2008 at 5.15 for 530 pm - 7 pm |
When: |
Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies Theatre |
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Australian Defence College,
Cotter Road, Weston Creek |
Participation is free for young professionals below 35 years of age and all Kokoda Foundation members.
RSVP by Monday 25 August 2008
Email manager@kokodafoundation.org or Telephone 02 6204 1822
(for security and catering)
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For more information on Young Strategic Leaders Forum presentations
please click here |
Security Challenges Winter 2008 Edition:
Now Available for Sale
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The Winter 2008 edition of Security Challenges is now available for sale.
It features a focus on "Australia and the Development-Security Nexus" with articles by:
- Mike Smith and Jacqueline Whelan on Human Security;
- Sinclair Dinnen and Abby McLeod on the Pacific Islands; and
- Neil Greet on ADF Humanitarian Operations.
Other articles include:
- Hugh White on Australian Strategic Interests;
- Stephan Frühling on RAN force structure; and
- Michael Evans on the ADF and Operational Art.
In addition, this edition for the first time features debates on controversial articles published in Security Challenges. Discussed are Michael Evan's views on 'The ADF and Operational Art', and Ross Babbage's ideas on 'Learning to Walk Amongst Giants.'
For links to the abstracts of the individual articles, see the table of contents of this exiting issue.
Hard copies can be ordered here. |
We Have Moved!
The Kokoda Foundation has moved into new offices in the centre of Canberra.
Our new contact details are:
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First Floor 182-200 City Walk
Canberra ACT 2600
GPO Box 321, Canberra City ACT 2601
Tel: +61 (0)2 6204 1822
Fax: +61 (0)2 6169 3019 |
Finding us:
Our offices are located in Frontier Group House, near the Merry-go-round in Civic.
We share reception with Frontier Recruitment on the first floor. |
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For email addresses please see our contacts page.
Research Projects
The Foundation has the following research projects underway at present:
Australia’s Energy Future: The National Security Implications
This project examines the key elements of Australia’s energy future and then considers the implications for national security planning. Leaders of Australia’s petroleum, electricity generating, gas and transmission companies together with leading researchers in wind, solar, geo-thermal and other alternative energy sources contributed to this project both via a major workshop and also through a large number of personal interviews. Some important new perspectives emerge from this cutting-edge report, prepared by the Project Leader, Kate Delaney. This report is scheduled for publication in July 2008.
The Great Australian Man Drought – National Security Implications
Bernard Salt has led this project. It examines the implications of the tightening Australian labour market, exacerbated by the tendency for young Australian professionals to travel overseas for employment for increasingly longer periods. This report highlights many of the personnel challenges that will confront the Australian national security community as a consequence of these trends. This report is scheduled for publication in August 2008.
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