DEFENCE
Defence and regional Australia
With approximately 70 per cent of the Defence force located in regional areas, Defence makes a significant contribution to regional Australia through employment, industry, community involvement and services, childcare facilities, housing, co‑operation on heritage issues, Indigenous affairs and economic activity. The following new measures and ongoing activities positively impact on regional Australia.
Securing Australia’s North West Shelf
The Australian Government outlined a new measure for 2005-06 estimated at $139.3 million over four years to enhance the security of Australia’s North West Shelf, of which the Department of Defence will spend $11.9 million in 2005-06.
As part of this package, two additional Armidale-Class Patrol Boats will be purchased to undertake North West Shelf surveillance and will work out of either Dampier or Port Hedland. The additional patrol boats will be built in Western Australia. The acquisition and operation of the boats are expected to have positive implications for the Western Australian economy.
Operation Safebase
In 2005-06 the Department of Defence will spend $37 million to continue Operation SAFEBASE across all regions and bases in Australia. This funding for the SAFEBASE security alert system will enable Defence to maintain the current control arrangements in relation to the protection of personnel and infrastructure and other Defence assets that have been established in response to the post-September 11 international security environment, and enable Defence to respond to further heightened security threat environments should they emerge.
Skilling Australia’s defence industry
In 2005-06 the Australian Government outlined a new initiative estimated to be worth $215 million over ten years to recognise its commitment to addressing the current skills shortage facing Australia’s defence industry. This package will improve the quality and quantity of specialist skills available to the defence industry, including the provision of engineers, specialist technicians, key trades people and project managers.
Major capital facilities projects
The Australian Government has approved an investment programme estimated to be worth $240 million for Defence capital facilities projects for 2005-06 to increase and support Australian Defence Force capabilities. The major projects in this programme include:
- The construction of specialised ranges and training facilities to support Special Forces units based at Holsworthy, Sydney.
- New facilities for the 1st Aviation Regiment at Robertson Barracks, Darwin including purpose-built working, training and domestic accommodation facilities.
- A range of new and redeveloped facilities and infrastructure at RAAF Williamtown near Newcastle, including construction of a Squadron hangar, pavement and airfield works and engineering services.
- The construction of enhanced research and laboratory facilities at Fishermans Bend.
- New working facilities for Army units at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville.
In 2005-06, the Australian Government will also build upon an increased program of maintenance on the national Defence estate commenced during 2004-05 and will meet its promise of an extra $300 million over three years from 2005-06 to cover increasing costs of maintaining the Defence estate. This funding will be spent on maintaining Defence’s extensive base infrastructure, including airfields, naval bases, barracks, training ranges, cadet facilities and fuel farms, as well as community environmental and occupational health and safety regulatory requirements.
Reserve Employer Support Payment Scheme
In 2000 the Australian Government provided a commitment to show the way as a major employer of Reservists by providing leave policies and employment practices that support the release of Reservists for peacetime training and deployment. Consistent with this commitment, agreements are now in place to provide Reservists with access to leave for training and deployment and, in addition, revised arrangements authorised under Defence Determination 2002 (Employer Support Payments) commenced on 1 July 2003. These arrangements have enhanced the operation and effectiveness of the Employer Support Payment Scheme, which has seen payments in excess of $20 million made to thousands of employers throughout Australia.
Cadet Enhancement Programme
In 2001 the Australian Government provided a commitment to reinvigorate the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Cadets experience and organisation, in recognition of the importance of enhancing opportunities for young people to develop leadership and team building skills in an adventurous and military-like setting, as well as developing strategies to better encourage ADF Cadet organisations to be a source of potential recruits for the ADF. In support of the $30 million per annum provided by the Department of Defence the Australian Government announced additional funding of $6 million per annum for the Cadet Enhancement Programme. This programme provides ongoing funding for a range of initiatives designed to improve the quality of the Cadet experience.
Army Indigenous Community Assistance Programme
The Army Indigenous Community Assistance Programme is an on-going commitment that reinforces the strong association between Army and the Indigenous people of Northern Australia. Army provides soldiers and equipment to complete project management, construction, health care and training support to selected communities. The programme has seen essential housing, infrastructure and health and training support provided to remote communities across Australia.