Australian Defence Force: Cadet Enhancement Program

Senator Chris Evans asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 15 April 2002:

In the 2001-02 Budget the Government committed to providing an additional $6 million a year over 4 financial years to enhance cadets:

1. Can a detailed breakdown be provided for this expenditure for the 2001-02 financial year, indicating the various initiatives funded.
2. To date, how much of this $6 million has been spent.
3. If it will not all be spent by the end of the year (a) how much will remain unspent; and (b) what is the explanation for the underspend.
4. How much of the $6 million will be spent on administrative functions.
5. Can a breakdown for the expenditure for the remaining $24 million for cadets also be provided.

Senator Hill - The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

1. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) Cadet Enhancement Program is an ongoing program covering a range of initiatives. Whereas some initiatives may be completed during one financial year, others will extend over two or more years. The proposals commenced or undertaken in 2001-02 (total estimated cost in brackets) are:
   1. Computers for Cadets - providing surplus Defence computers to some 430 Cadet units across Australia ($0.4 million);
   2. CadetNet - providing a new, dedicated computer to link all units via the Internet in order to enhance administrative support and information access ($1.5 million);
   3. uniforms and equipment - includes the initial provisioning for 17,000 Army Cadets and staff of a second set of camouflage uniforms and polyesters for Cadets required to participate in ceremonial occasions and parades; safety boats and canoes and a new cadet black boot for ceremonial and field/barracks activities ($3.1 million);
   4. ADF Cadets Inaugural National Conference incorporating a tri-Service Cadet parade held on 20-21 April 2002 at Sydney Olympic Park ($0.4 million);
   5. audit and review of Cadet accommodation ($0.3 million);
   6. establishment of the Directorate of Defence Force Cadets ($0.7 million in 2001-02);
   7. support to the External Overview Team established to provide independent advice on the implementation program ($0.1 million); and
   8. a number of initiatives directed at the development of ADF Cadet policies and procedures to ensure consistency and currency across the three Cadet organisations. These include ($1.4 million):
      • development of an Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) strategic plan and provision of OH&S training courses and information packages for cadets and adult supervisors.
      • development of an indigenous cadet participation strategy and projects.
      • collaboration with other youth development organisations.
      • benchmarking of ADF Cadets programs to other youth programs.
      • development of a communications and awareness strategy.
      • establishment of an ADF Cadets Council.
      • provision of Identity Cards for adult staff.
      • development of an Equity and Diversity policy.
      • development of a Human Resources strategic plan that addresses areas such as adult staff appointment, termination, training, codes of behaviour, accreditation and remuneration.
2. As at 30 April 2002, $713,000 has been spent.
3. 1. The amount estimated to remain unspent at the end of the 2001-02 is $2.9 million.
   2. A number of factors have contributed to the underspend. The Directorate of Defence Force Cadets was established, among other things, to manage the Cadet Enhancement Program. It was created in September 2001 but has only been near full strength since the beginning of 2002. Initially, individual proposals had to be identified and prioritised by the Directorate. The next step in the process is to scope and document the requirements and there are lead times for items such as uniforms and equipment. In addition, the size of any task can be significant with 25,500 cadets and nearly 2,300 adult volunteer staff in some 430 units throughout Australia.
      
      Although the funds have not been fully spent this financial year, proposals have been identified for the $6 million and the unspent portion will be rolled over into 2002-03.
4. Administrative functions relate to the Directorate of Defence Force Cadets. Salaries and other administrative expenses are estimated to be $0.7 million for 2001-02.
5. In December 1999, a review of cadets was commissioned by the Government and the subsequent Report, Cadets: the Future, was released in December 2000. The Report included details on the level of resources provided to cadets. $24 million is the estimated amount of Defence support to the three Cadet organisations. Under the current accounting arrangements, certain support funding cannot be separately identified. The Directorate is putting in place resource management arrangements with the three Services and other areas of the department in order to provide more accurate information on the cost of support to cadets. These arrangements and will come into effect on 1 July 2002. The breakdown of the $24 million estimated from Defence sources is as follows:

   	($ million)
   Adult staff salaries	10
   ADF staff salaries	2
   Uniforms for cadets and staff	3
   Running costs for cadet organisations	2
   Annual camps	5
   Staff training	2

close