Defence

Australian Defence Medal — establishment

Expense ($m)

	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Defence	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide $12.6 million over four years from 2005-06 to introduce a medal recognising volunteer service in the Australian Defence Force for those who have served a total of six years in the regular or reserve force since World War II.

The cost of this measure is being fully absorbed from within the existing resourcing of the Department of Defence.

This measure was announced on 5 October 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Defence — A Force for the New Century.

Capability and Technology Demonstrator Programme

Expense ($m)

	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Defence	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide $40.9 million over three years from 2005-06 for the Capability and Technology Demonstrator Programme which assists the Australian defence industry to explore how advanced technology-driven capabilities can be used by the Australian Defence Force.

The cost of this measure is being fully absorbed from within the existing resourcing of the Department of Defence.

This measure was announced on 5 October 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Defence — A Force for the New Century.

Defence Health — creation of a new leadership position

Expense ($m)

	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Defence	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide $1.0 million over four years to fund the position of head of the Defence Health Service.

The senior appointment will improve the capacity of the Defence Health Service to deliver better health care to Australian Defence Force personnel.

This measure will be fully absorbed within the existing resourcing of the Department of Defence.

This measure was announced on 5 October 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Defence — A Force for the New Century.

Defence industry skills development

Expense ($m)

	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Defence	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide $74.5 million over four years from 2005-06 to increase the quality and quantity of specialist skills within Australia’s defence industry, in areas such as engineering, project management and key trades.

The cost of this measure is being fully absorbed from within the existing resourcing of the Department of Defence.

This measure was announced on 26 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry.

Former HMAS PLATYPUS, Neutral Bay — site remediation

Expense ($m)

	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Defence	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide for the remediation of the former Royal Australian Navy Base, HMAS PLATYPUS, in preparation for the transfer of the site to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.

While the cost of this measure is yet to be finalised, it will be fully absorbed within the existing resourcing of the Department of Defence.

This measure was announced on 28 September 2004 in the Government’s election commitments Important Navy Historical Site to be Conserved, and Historic Decision on Harbour Land.

Joint Combined Training Centres — implementation

Capital ($m)

	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Defence	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide $22.9 million over three years from 2005-06 to develop training facilities for joint Australian and United States military exercises. The cost of this measure is being fully absorbed from within the existing resourcing of the Department of Defence.

This measure was announced on 5 October 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Defence — A Force for the New Century.

Providing for Australia’s Security — North-West Shelf surveillance

Expense ($m)

	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Defence	-	52.4	27.3	13.1
Related capital ($m)
Department of Defence	-	8.4	-	-

The Government will provide $139.3 million over four years to enhance security for Australia’s offshore oil and gas facilities on the North-West Shelf. This includes $15.8 million in capital funding, of which $7.4 million will be absorbed within the existing resourcing of the Department of Defence.

This includes $116.7 million over three years for the purchase of two Armidale Class Patrol Boats and associated support costs, repair, maintenance and crew accommodation. Of this amount, $15.5 million will be absorbed within the existing resourcing of the Department of Defence. These patrol boats will work out of either Dampier or Port Hedland and will provide a dedicated surveillance and monitoring capability for the North-West Shelf.

The Department of Defence will also undertake a trial of unmanned aerial vehicles to assess their maritime surveillance potential. The cost of this trial ($22.6 million over two years) will be fully absorbed within the existing resourcing of the Department of Defence.

This measure was announced on 16 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Securing Australia’s North-West Shelf.

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