The Budget means more money for improving conditions of service, logistics and funding operations, such as Op Catalyst, where this 2 Cav Regt ASLAV is on recon to Kirkush in Iraq. Photo by LCpl Neil Ruskin, 1JPAU(P)

Bang for their buck






By Leut Aaron Matzkows

THE Budget provided a “tremendous boost” to Defence’s programs, according to CDF Peter Cosgrove.

Gen Cosgrove told Army newspaper that modernisation, improved quality of life for service people and an increased logistics spending were highlights of the $16.3 billion Defence Budget.

“It confirms the force modernisation we were aiming for through, first of all, the White Paper in 2000 and, secondly, the Strategic Review of 2003,” he said.

“In each of those we looked for some significant improvements in the way we do business and the way we resource our business.

“I see the modernisation of our fighting systems and our logistic systems as being absolutely key to the powerful modernization of the future force.”

Gen Cosgrove said he believed the increases in pay and conditions of $458 million over four years would assist the Services’ drives in recruitment and retention of members.

“There’s been a major boost to the quality of life aspects of our service in Navy, Army and Air Force,” he said.

“The huge cash injection to increase rental assistance and to improve the quality of live-in accommodation is a major boost to both recruiting and retention.

“It will come on-stream as quickly as we can do it, to help improve the quality of life for those people who are single and live either on-base or wish to have RA and live off-base.

“In that regard, I imagine people who like the lifestyle fundamentally but could use better accommodation will be uplifted by this initiative.”

The spending includes an increase in the numbers of single members receiving RA and an upgrade of on-base single accommodation to cost $113 million.

He said the $80 million increase in pay and conditions would help keep the ADF’s overall remuneration package at a competitive level with the corporate and public service sectors.

Gen Cosgrove said the investment in the ADF Reserves Enhancement Program through the provision of employer support and the Cadets Enhancement Program was a wise expenditure.

“Both are pretty important programs that need constant care and constant review of the realistic level of resources they need,” he said.

Defence civilians should also find the Budget attractive, Gen Cosgrove said.

“I think our Defence civilians will find that the great job they are doing is going to become a little easier.

“There’s more money for us now to provide those urgent support services to the men and women in uniform and that means our civilian officers who spend very long hours trying to stretch the dollars will be able to do more of the things they’ve been looking to do for us.”