Australian Defence Force: Cancelled Exercises

Senator Chris Evans asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 26 April 2002:

With reference to page 25 of the Defence portfolio additional estimates statements 2001-02, which lists a number of cancelled exercises: in relation to each of these exercises separately, can the following information be provided: (a) what the total cost of the exercise would have been, including embedded costs, eg. salaries; (b) what the total additional cost of the exercise would have been, excluding embedded costs that would have accrued without the exercise, eg. allowances that are paid while on exercise, higher fuel usage; (c) a breakdown of the additional costs associated with the exercise, eg. allowances, fuel, ammunition, equipment replacement, maintenance; and (d) how many personnel would have participated in the exercise, its duration and a description of the activities the personnel would have been performing.

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

The Question sought information relating to the budgeted cost of various Australian Defence Force (ADF) exercises listed in the Parliamentary Additional Estimates 2001-2002 as having been cancelled as at the publication of the document.

The question calls for an excessive amount of detail which I do not intend to provide. Major exercises that have been cancelled, postponed or modified as a result of the increased operation tempo include:

• 11 anti-submarine warfare exercises;
• 2 Army helicopter training exercises;
• 4 RAN surface warfare capability exercises;
• 3 minor Army exercises;
• 1 amphibious capability exercise;
• 1 airdrop exercise and competition; and
• 1 Navy clearance diving exercise.

The program of Defence exercises is designed to keep the ADF at the level of preparedness required of it by the Government. This is achieved within the level of funds provided to Defence and subsequently distributed to the Service Chiefs, consistent with the particular requirements of their respective combat forces. Where an activity is cancelled, a substitute activity or requirement would take its place, either in the form of another similar activity, or as is often the case, a sequence of many smaller and less identifiable activities.

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