A Libs senator has already dismissed the white paper as `blancmange'

 

THE release of the Rudd government's long-awaited white paper on counter-terrorism has been delayed yet again, after a draft circulated for comment in Canberra was rejected as being ``totally bland'', devoid of strategic vision and lacking in initiatives.

 

The much-vaunted white paper was foreshadowed by Kevin Rudd in his national security statement in December last year when he promised the ``upcoming'' document would lay out a comprehensive security strategy for the coming decade.

 

In August, Attorney-General Robert McClelland said the paper would be released ``towards the end of the year''.

 

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister has said work is continuing on the document but declined to say when it will be finished.

 

Liberal senator Russell Trood, deputy chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, said the government's handling of the white paper was ``a disgrace''.

 

``We know terrorism hasn't gone off the international agenda; you just need to look at what's going on in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq,'' he said.

 

A bureaucrat in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet has been working on the white paper for 12 months, running roundtable conferences with government and independent counter-terrorism experts.

 

In recent weeks a draft has been circulated among counter-terrorism specialists for comment.

 

The feedback was that the draft was ``totally bland'', poorly written and a ``blancmange'' of general statements, ``lacks strategic vision'' and includes no specific recommendations to counter terrorism.

 

One source close to the process says the draft was rejected by Mr Rudd's office because it contained no new ``announceables'' -- initiatives for the Prime Minister to announce when it's released.

 

Mr Rudd's office would not be drawn on when the white paper would be completed.

 

``The government is focused on getting this white paper right, and ensuring it provides a clear future direction to protect Australia from the threat of terrorism,'' a spokesperson said.

 

``The paper will be released once this detailed work is completed.''

 

The delay follows a report earlier this month by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute that described Australia's national security response as out of date.

 

By Sally Neighbour