CSIG cuts affect Air Force

By Michael Weaver

MEASURES have been put in place at Air Force bases to address funding pressures on the Corporate Services and Infrastructure Group (CSIG).

CSIG’s $65 million cut in its 2003/04 budget has been the subject of negotiations with Air Force through a forum held in Canberra every two months.

Many proposals have been submitted to Air Force, with the following being agreed to:

• RAAF Base Darwin: removal of individual pass checking upon exit.
• RAAF Base East Sale: rationalisation of kitchen and dining facilities. Proposal is to close the students’ mess kitchen and transfer its functions to the Officers’ Mess and to close either one of the Senior NCOs’ or Airmen’s kitchen/dining facilities.
• RAAF Base Pearce: closure of the kitchen facilities in the Officers’, Senior NCOs’ and Airmen’s messes and the operation of a single kitchen in the Students’ Mess on the basis that it is a trial and will only be implemented in the longer term if this standard is agreed across all ADF locations.
• A reduction in the cost of labour in mess bars by 20 per cent by reducing bar trading hours for 2003/04 only, pending further consideration with the respective base commanders.
• A 20 per cent reduction to the subsidy provided for official functions, again only for 2003/04 and on the basis that it is done in consultation with the base commanders.
  

Air Commodore Mark Lax, Director General Policy and Planning - Air Force, said Air Force, while supportive of CSIG’s difficulties, had remained firm about what action was acceptable.

“We are working closely with CSIG to address the issue from a whole of Defence perspective so that any hurt is shared equally across all regions,” AIRCDRE Lax said, while pointing to a reduction to inventory and general stores that has not been agreed to.

“We ask that base commanders talk to their staff about the CSIG budget and the proposed changes, and any constructive ideas to help reduce the pressure at base level will be gratefully received.”

CAF Air Marshal Angus Houston also reiterated that negotiations between Air Force and CSIG were about achieving a good outcome for both parties.

“The current situation is not of CSIG’s making, nonetheless there will have to be adjustments in service delivery while the problem is worked through,” AIRMSHL Houston said.

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