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In
brief
Let the Games security begin
Defence will again make a significant contribution to security at
one of the world’s major sporting events – the Commonwealth
Games in Melbourne in 2006.
The Budget provides an extra $13 million over three years for Defence
to assist with security at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games,
drawing on its experience in providing support to Federal and State
authorities for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
The Commonwealth retains broad responsibility for gathering and
disseminating security and criminal intelligence, border control,
aviation security, counter terrorism, dignitary protection and enforcement
of Federal law.
Extra
aimed at retention
Substantial programs aimed at both attracting and retaining skilled
people in the ADF are to be extended with an additional $21.4 million
in the 2004-05 Budget.
The funds will be used to build on the current $100 million a year
provided for programs aimed at improving the conditions of ADF members
and their families.
The new funding will pay for the continuation of a targeted program
of family focused initiatives, which had been due to end in 2005-06,
such as child care places, ADF spouse support and Defence school
transition aides.
More
money for personnel
Defence’s military personnel budget will be increased by $80
million over the next four years as part of the 2004-05 Budget.
The move brings Defence’s budget for ADF health services, housing
and fringe benefits tax into line with cost trends in these areas
in recent years and also provided for increases in ADF remuneration
over the next decade.
The extra funding is to ensure that Defence has the money to remunerate
the ADF at rates appropriate for maintaining a modern highly skilled
military workforce.
The Government’s 2000 Defence White Paper provided $4.7 billion
between 2004-05 and 2010-11 to fund 2 per cent per annum real growth
in Defence’s per capita personnel costs. But trends observed
since the release of the White Paper had placed additional pressure
on Defence’s military personnel budget.
$18 million boost to cadets
ADF cadets will be boosted by an extra $18 million over the next
five years to fund upgraded accommodation, adventure training and
new technology.
The Cadet Enhancement Program is in addition to the $32 million
per year the ADF spends on cadets, mostly for in-kind support such
as catering, transport and salaries.
The additional funding will be allocated to upgrading accommodation
for cadet units, increased funding for adventure and leadership
training, and upgraded technology and support for the dedicated
cadet interactive web site.
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