Defence and Veterans minister Lindiwe Sisulu says she will introduce a Green Paper on Defence and Military Veterans to Parliament “when it is ready.”
Answering a written question by Democratic Alliance defence shadow minister David Maynier she said she had indicated in her budget vote speech on July 3 that it would be made public when completed.
Parliament defines a “Green Paper” as a draft policy document drafted by a department and used as a tool to consult the public.
Once the discussion is finalised, it can be republished as a White Paper or “a document drafted by a government department after consultation, presenting government policy in a given area. It may contain legislative or administrative proposals on which the government intends to act.”
The Ministry of Defence last tabled a White Paper on Defence in 1996. This was followed by a Defence Review in 1998.
An “update” of these has been in the offing since 2004 and is currently styled “Defence 2025”.
Sisulu earlier this month said the document would be ready for Cabinet approval at month`s end.
It is not clear if this document will reach Parliament as a Green Paper or whether it will be followed by a new White Paper.
The 1996 and 1998 documents are generally regarded as dated, with special regard to the military`s participation in peacekeeping. It is not apparent why it has taken so long to draft Defence 2025.
Maynier welcomed Sisulu`s answer, adding he had suggested a Green Paper in his budget vote speech.
