Australia will soon have its first national security statement, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says.
Mr Rudd told the Tasmanian State Labor Conference in Launceston on Saturday that national security was his government's first priority.
The security challenges facing Australia are becoming increasingly complex, he told the conference.
But his government was now responding to these challenges.
"The government is now looking to build this more secure Australia," he said in his conference speech.
"The starting point will be a new national security policy, outlined in the near future, a new national security statement for the nation.
"It will be the first time Australia has had a national security statement."
Mr Rudd said the statement would deal with strengthening the Australian Defence Force, stepping up the battle against regional terrorism, improving responses to natural disasters and addressing water and food scarcity.