VADM Shackleton

The Chief of Navy, VADM David Shackleton, said the community consultation report and the CDF/Secretary report on the Defence consultation program were highly consistent with the views expressed by Navy personnel as part of the consultation process.

He said they had provided the Government with a valuable resource to inform development of the Defence White Paper due next month.\

"Many of you would have heard, or been advised, of my intentions to redress both the problems we have encountered as we have progressed the Commercialisation Support Program (CSP) and your concerns on conditions of service issues," VADM Shackleton said.

He said he was pleased to be able to advise that the department had taken on additional tasks in order to address concerns with CSP, training resources, retention, recruitment and pay and conditions. Defence would conduct two internal assessments by January 31, 2001.

The Head Strategic Command would assess the impact of the CSP on the deployment to East Timor and career structures. The Head Defence Personnel Executive would develop a set of recommendations regarding conditions of service.

"Once again, I wish to convey to all ranks my thanks for your assistance during the Navy consultation process. The consultation reports prove that your views have been influential," CN said.

*A copy of the community consultation team report is at: www.defence.gov.au/consultation while a copy of the Defence consultation report is at: defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/whitepaper (internal users only).