SYDNEY: Australia must dedicate itself to assisting in US-led wars around the world rather than regional conflicts, a major shift in defence policy suggested on Wednesday.

For the first time, the white paper on defence admitted that the risk of another country invading Australia was negligible. But it said the problems of terrorism and arms of mass destruction meant that Australia was still at risk of attack, and envisaged a more mobile army ready to carry out “coalition operations” in far-flung places.

The review also pledged that Australia would join the “son of star wars” missile defence system proposed by the Bush administration, saying the issue would be “an increasingly important priority” in coming years.

The defence minister, Robert Hill, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation: “As the world has changed ... it may be a necessary form of security protection for countries other than the United States.”

Australia has never been considered a serious target of ballistic missile attack and has until now shown little interest in missile defence. But the North Korean Taepo-dong II missile, whose existence was exposed before a US senate committee this month, would be capable of carrying a radioactive warhead to any Australian city.

The Labour party shadow defence minister, Chris Evans, described the paper as an “insubstantial document” intended to cover up cuts to Australia’s standing army and increase dependence on the US.

“This document is all about selling the the Howard government’s commitment to join the US in military actions across the globe, and nothing to do with a proper long-term assessment about what is needed to ensure the defence of the nation.”

The impression has been sharpened by John Howard, the conservative prime minister, who has described himself as America’s regional deputy and announced his willingness to launch pre-emptive strikes against Australia’s south-east Asian neighbours.—Dawn/The Guardian News Service.