Scathing defence review out on Wednesday

The government is set to unveil its plan for lifting defence efficiency with the release of the long-awaited first principles review.

That was launched last year to examine defence structures and processes to see where improvements could be made in the organisation that is costing taxpayers almost $30 billion a year.

Last week, The Australian newspaper published leaked details, indicating the report was scathing of defence for its excessive number of managers and lengthy bureaucratic processes.

Up to 1500 defence public servants, out of the public sector workforce of 20,500, could go.

The review was conducted by former Australian head of Rio Tinto David Peever, assisted by a panel comprising former army chief Peter Leahy, former Howard government defence minister Robert Hill, former Labor finance minister Lindsay Tanner and a former head of defence company BAE Systems Jim McDowell.

Defence Minister Kevin Andrews will release the review in Canberra on Wednesday.