The Government has committed a total of $313.9 million in 2004-05 to support ADF operations around the globe.

An extra $131.6 million over three years has been committed to continue Op Catalyst beyond the planned hand over to the new Iraqi Government in June.

This will allow the ADF’s deployment to be sustained at about current levels until at least June next year, bringing the total funding provided for operations in Iraq to $776.3 million since 2002-03.

Other operations would be funded, as follows:

• $20.1 million would be provided in 2004-05 and 2005-06 to provide for a continued but reduced ADF presence in East Timor.
• $22.2 million was also allocated in 2003-04 and 2004-05 to Op Anode, the ADF’s contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands.
• As the situation continues to improve, the ADF presence in the Solomons will be reduced.
• $16 million had been provided in 2004-05 to continue Op Relex II.

The new funding comes in addition to previous funding of $17.8 million in last year’s budget, $27.8 million in 2002-03 and $18.7 million in 2001-02.

The ADF’s operational tempo is the highest since Vietnam and the strategic environment is far more complex, including the continuing war against terrorism.

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