Defence
Australian Defence Force personnel numbers - accelerated growth
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Defence | 49.8 | 36.5 | 16.5 | - |
Current personnel numbers in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) are above planned levels. This reflects the fact that the Army and Air Force are presently experiencing better recruitment and retention outcomes, with separation rates being at a 10 year low. The Government will provide funding of $102.8 million over three years for 786 additional personnel in 2003-04, 564 additional personnel in 2004-05 and 250 additional personnel in 2005-06 to take advantage of the opportunity to accelerate the achievement of the White Paper targets for higher ADF personnel numbers. The White Paper proposed an ADF personnel target of 54,000 by 2010.
Bougainville Peace Monitoring Group - continuation of the Australian Defence Force contribution to monitoring weapons disposal
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Defence | - | - | - | - |
The Government has extended to the end of June 2003 the Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution to the Bougainville Peace Monitoring Group. The additional costs incurred by the ADF in 2002-03 will be $10.1 million.
The Peace Monitoring Group plays a critical role in the practical implementation of weapons disposal in Bougainville.
Coastal surveillance - continuation of funding for increased activity
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Defence | 17.8 | - | - | - |
The Government has allocated funding of $17.8 million in 2003-04 for deployment costs for the Australian Defence Force to continue coastal surveillance of Australia's northern approaches to deter unauthorised boat arrivals. This is in addition to the $18.7 million in funds provided in 2001-02 and $22.3 million in 2002-03 for expenditure in those years.
Iraq - funding for operations and rehabilitation activities
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Defence | 197.9 | 25.8 | - | - |
This expenditure results from the Government's decision to join other countries and commit Australian forces to action in Iraq.
Additional funding of $644.7 million over three years has been provided for the estimated net cost of deployments and operations in Iraq (including $421 million in 2002-03). This includes funding for pre-deployment acquisitions, personnel allowances, operating costs, equipment remediation costs and contributions to post-conflict rehabilitation activities. The actual cost of the deployment will not be known until the end of operations.
Logistics funding
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Defence | 244.3 | 285.5 | 284.9 | 229.0 |
The Government's Defence 2000 White Paper provided $27 billion over 10 years primarily for the acquisition of new equipment and upgrade of existing equipment to enhance the capabilities of the Australian Defence Force. Since the White Paper was released, however, the strategic landscape has changed markedly with the emergence of terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. These changes have given rise to a higher operational tempo for the Australian Defence Force, which has increased the cost of maintaining and operating existing defence assets beyond that envisaged in the White Paper.
Consequently, this Budget provides additional logistics funding of $1,145.1 million over five years (including $101.4 million in 2002-03) to enable the Australian Defence Force to operate at current levels of operational tempo on a sustainable basis and meet preparedness requirements in the new strategic environment.
The new spending will augment logistics and support funding for a range of platforms and equipment, including:
- F/A-18 fighter aircraft fleet;
- C-130J Hercules transport aircraft;
- Collins class submarines; and
- Army B-class vehicles, including Land Rovers, Mack trucks and other transport vehicles.
The new spending will also fund a substantial increase in stocks of explosive ordnance, including that required for enhanced training for Army personnel.
Navy Personnel Retention Initiatives
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Defence | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $10 million per annum to facilitate the retention of Naval personnel in certain critical specialisations.
The cost of this measure is being absorbed within the existing resourcing for the Department of Defence.
Special Operations Command
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Defence | 21.6 | 35.8 | 49.2 | 50.2 |
As announced by the Prime Minister on 19 December 2002, the Government is expanding Australia's Special Forces counter terrorist capability by establishing a new Special Operations Command in the Australian Defence Force.
The new capability will cost $156.8 million over four years (excluding specialist equipment and facilities costs, which will be met from within existing Defence resources). It will deliver an additional 334 combat and associated support personnel to supplement Australia's existing special forces, including: an additional commando company in the 4th Royal Australian Regiment; improved logistics support in the Special Air Service Regiment; a maritime counter terrorist capability within the Tactical Assault Group (East); a Combat Service Support Company; and a new command element in Headquarters Special Operations (Canberra) to undertake inter-agency and alliance coordination.
The new Special Operations Command will have a command status equivalent to Maritime, Land and Air Commands. It will increase further Australia's ability to use non-conventional war-fighting means to respond to terrorism.
Special Purpose Aircraft Facilities at Canberra International Airport
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Defence | 7.1 | 7.2 | 7.5 | 7.8 |
The Government has allocated $29.6 million over four years to cover additional lease costs associated with the establishment of maintenance and support facilities for the Special Purpose Aircraft facilities at the Canberra International Airport. This funding will facilitate increased security measures to ensure the security of Special Purpose Aircraft, and to protect travellers including visiting Heads of State.