Defence Annual Report 2002-03 :: Headline Results for 2002-03

Operational

Defence met the Government's highest priority tasks through:
- effectively contributing to the international coalition against terrorism and enforcing United Nations' Security Council resolutions, contributing some 2,000 ADF personnel to the war in Iraq
- providing support to the rehabilitation of Iraq after the cessation of formal hostilities in May 2003
- responding to the terrorist attacks in Bali on 12 October 2002
- planning for the major deployment under Operation Helpem Fren to assist the Solomon Islands Government in restoring law and order
- handing over military operations in Bougainville from the Peace Monitoring Group to the civilian Bougainville Transitional Team
- continuing to play a major role in assisting East Timor, including support to help train and develop the fledgling East Timor Defence Force
- continuing to detect, intercept and deter vessels carrying unauthorised arrivals from entering Australia
- supporting civil agencies in curbing illegal fishing in Australian waters
The ADF continued to perform an expanding range of tasks at a very high level of activity

Further information can be found in Chapter Two

Community attitudes towards Defence:
- 86 per cent of Australians said they were proud of the ADF
- 79 per cent believed the Navy is effective, 83 per cent believed the Army is effective, and 81 per cent believed the Air Force is effective - a slight decrease from 2001-02
- 92 per cent considered the ADF is well trained - an increase of five per cent over 2001-02
ADF recruiting:
- Enlistments fell in comparison to 2001-02 figures, but remained above 2000-01 figures
- Separation rates across all three Services fell in 2002-03 to a ten-year low
- Army Reserve personnel numbers were down on 2001-02 figures, but up on 2000-01 figures
Intake of 206 graduate recruits was highest ever
In more than 400 communities throughout Australia, more than 26,000 young people are participating as Navy, Army or Air Force cadets. Over 2,450 adult volunteers lead and supervise personal development and training activities for cadets

Further information can be found in Chapter Five

Defence recorded a net surplus of $4,160m (before the capital use charge of $5,056m) compared to the revised estimate of $4,792m as reported in the Portfolio Budget Statements 2003-04 [PDF]. The major reasons for the difference are:
- additional depreciation and amortisation expenses due mainly to the accelerated depreciation associated with the disposal of APG-65 radars from F/A-18 aircraft and the full year's effect of asset revaluations
- a decision to account for potential claims for asbestos-related diseases
- an increase in inventory consumption
The net asset position of Defence improved from a revised estimate of $45,845m to $46,175m. The movement over the revised estimate is due to an increase in the value of land and buildings compared to the revised estimate
The Australian National Audit Office issued a limitation of scope qualification with respect to four elements of the 2002-03 financial statements. While three elements, general stores inventory, explosive ordnance inventory and repairable items, were also qualified as part of the 2001-02 financial statements, Defence improved the quality of the data surrounding these accounts during 2002-03 and the extent of the qualification has been reduced. Defence is continuing to work on improving the quality of its financial data

Further information can be found in Chapter Three

Defence became a founding board member of the Green Building Council of Australia in October 2002
Annual energy consumption reduced by 559,000 gigajoules, exceeding the reduction target by 2.6 per cent
Defence further reduced greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 50,745 tonnes (results available in November 2003). The Defence greenhouse strategy was endorsed in January 2003
Budgeted expenditure on water remained at $13.3m. An independently reviewed water conservation strategy was developed and will be implemented in 2003-04