The Wire

Foreign policy has been at the top of both Howard and Rudd’s agendas and today they each announced changes to defence and foreign aid policy. Today the prime minister spoke at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s Global Forces Conference in Canberra. He gave a defence update which focused on increased military spending to combat terrorism and continue to strengthen security alliances. While terrorism is still the Howard Government’s main focus, the ALP is trying to sway voters by increasing aid to the Pacific region. Opposition leader Kevin Rudd outlined his foreign policy blueprint at the Lowy Institute this morning. The Institute is an independent think-tank based in Sydney. Dr Malcolm Cook, Asia Pacific Program director for the institute listened to the address and commented to Petria Smith for The Wire.