The Democratic Alliance will release a number of new policies in the  first few months of 2009, and will revise some of its programmes of action, its CEO Ryan Coetzee said on Monday.

They include economic policy, governance policy, environmental affairs, defence, foreign affairs, home affairs, housing, land affairs, minerals and energy, and innovation.

As parties prepared to contest next year's election, Coetzee said it was the job of the opposition to present voters with an alternative to the governing party by demonstrating what they could and would do in government.

They must protect the constitution by monitoring government's power and ensuring it remains transparent and delivers on its promises.

"As a party that is already in government in Cape Town, as well as in many other municipalities throughout South Africa; and as a party which is likely to govern in various provinces after next year's election, the DA's role is not only to act as a watchdog over the current government, but also to position ourselves to replace it in the future."

In addition to its policy platform, the party had also released 30 discussion documents on the country's challenges.