This week, AIIA Director of Communications, Niree Creed discusses the progress of the White Paper on Australia’s defence needs and controversy in the South China Sea with the Secretary of the Department of Defence, Dennis Richardson AO FAIIA.

Dennis Richardson has held various roles in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, was a Deputy Secretary at the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1993-96), and Director-General of Security of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) from October 1996.

He was previously Australian Ambassador to the United States of America (2005–10) and Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2010–12). In 2003, Richardson was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for service to the community in a range of public policy areas including foreign policy, immigration and security. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of International Affairs (FAIIA).

Produced by Gayan Vithanage and Alexander Willox and interviewed by Niree Creed. This video can be republished with attribution under a Creative Commons Licence.