Statement 1: Budget Overview (Continued)
Advancing Australia's national security interests
This Budget reaffirms the Government's long‑standing commitment to protecting Australia and our national security interests. The 2012‑13 Budget maintains Australia's efforts in confronting global security challenges, including maintaining our presence in Afghanistan and supporting stability in East Timor and Solomon Islands.
The Government is funding new defence capabilities that are expected to be in high demand now and into the future. These investments include vital air and sea transport platforms, which support current operations and build on Australia's capacity to respond to humanitarian crises and natural disasters domestically and in our region.
These investments are balanced by deferring some Defence acquisitions, adjusting the Defence capital equipment program and delivering further operating efficiencies while delivering priority 2009 Defence White Paper capabilities.
The Government has announced it will deliver a new Defence White Paper in 2013.
The 2012‑13 Budget also provides enhanced law enforcement and border protection capabilities, which will maintain a strong surveillance presence in Australia's northern waters, and provide cutting‑edge forensic capabilities to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
Supporting global security
Australia remains committed to efforts to improve global security. The Government is providing $1.3 billion in the 2012‑13 Budget to continue operations in Afghanistan.
Australia's military and civilian efforts in Afghanistan will support the Afghan Government to promote and sustain stability, and help ensure that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven and training ground for global terrorism.
The Government's enduring commitment to the security of countries in our region is continued in this Budget, by providing $78.8 million to maintain the ADF operations in East Timor as important national elections are held this year, and $45.6 million to support stability in the Solomon Islands.
Enhancing defence capabilities
The Government is taking a balanced approach to upgrading the capabilities of the ADF to ensure that Australia is well‑positioned to support our domestic and international commitments. The 2012‑13 Budget includes:
- $123 million for an Offshore Support Vessel, the MSV Skandi Bergen, to supplement the ADF's amphibious fleet. The MSV Skandi Bergen will be transferred to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service on the introduction into service of the first Landing Helicopter Dock;
- $280.4 million for an additional C‑17A Globemaster III heavy‑lift aircraft, which will increase Australia's heavy‑lift fleet to six aircraft; and
- $39.8 million for an additional two CH‑47D Chinook medium‑lift transport helicopters, which will bring Australia's total Chinook fleet to seven.
The Department of Defence will also contribute to broader government savings. There will be no adverse impact on operations in Afghanistan, East Timor and Solomon Islands. The provision of equipment to Defence personnel deployed or deploying overseas will not be adversely affected. There will be no adverse impact on the number of military personnel in the ADF.
Enhancing law enforcement
The Government will continue to maintain a strong surveillance presence in Australia's northern waters, including through the purchase of a dedicated patrol boat to replace the leased Customs and Border Protection vessel ACV Ashmore Guardian. This will allow a near permanent surveillance and enforcement presence at Ashmore Reef to combat illegal fishing and people‑smuggling.
The Government will also strengthen Australia's national forensics and intelligence capabilities by building a new forensics facility for the AFP. This facility will ensure the AFP can continue to respond to major investigations of terrorism, transnational crime, people‑smuggling and disaster victim identification.
Biosecurity
The Government is committed to ensuring Australia has a strong biosecurity system that facilitates trade and manages biosecurity risks to the environment, agriculture and human health. The 2012‑13 Budget continues this commitment through $620 million for delivery of new post‑entry quarantine infrastructure to maintain frontline operations and support eradication programs.
The Government will invest:
- $379.9 million over seven years to construct a new Commonwealth‑operated post‑entry quarantine station to replace existing stations as leases expire. The facility will commence operations in 2015‑16 and be fully operational on completion in 2018‑19;
- $144.3 million over four years to support frontline operations; and
- $95.9 million over seven years to support eradication programs for nationally significant agricultural and environmental pests and diseases.
If www.budget.gov.au responds slowly or you are having trouble downloading a document, try one of the Budget Website Mirrors
Note: Where possible, Budget documents are available in HTML and for downloading in Portable Document Format(PDF). If you require further information on any of the tables or charts on this website, please contact The Treasury.
