Johnston names White Paper panel

Defence Minister David Johnston has named an expert panel to advise on preparation of the new Defence White Paper set for release in just over a year's time.

Senator Johnston said the panel would bring a mixture of government, military, industry and academic experience to the White Paper process.

Heading the panel will be Peter Jennings, a former coalition government adviser and senior defence official and now executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

Also on the panel are retired Rear Admiral James Goldrick, Lowy Institute international security policy director Rory Medcalf, businessman Mike Kalms, ASPI analyst Andrew Davies and Australian National University academic Stephan Fruhling.