THE HON. DR MIKE KELLY MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support
Thursday, 5 November 2009
072/2009
OPPOSITION WRONG ON RESERVES
The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon. Dr Mike Kelly AM
MP, today said the opposition has its facts wrong on Australian Defence Force
Reserves
“On Wednesday 4 November 2009, the Shadow Minister for Defence Science
and Personnel, the Hon Bob Baldwin issued an inaccurate and misleading
statement regarding Defence’s Strategic Reform Program (SRP) and its
impact on the ADF Reserves”.
“The Rudd Government is committed to an efficient and effective Defence
organisation. The SRP is the most comprehensive reform of Defence
undertaken by any government. It will deliver $20 billion in savings that will be
reinvested into operational capability. This includes investing in ADF Reserve
capability”.
“Mr Baldwin’s assertion that ammunition for Reserve training has been
restricted is not correct. Some types of ammunition periodically go into
temporary short supply due to increased operational tempo of deployed
forces. Consequently, on occasions there is a requirement to re-prioritise the
allocation of these resources to support domestic training activities”.
Ammunition allocation remains prioritised against preparations for operations
and the requirement to support trade qualifications and promotion courses.
No ammunition has been withdrawn from the financial year 2009/2010
allocation.
“Mr Baldwin also alleged that funding for Army Reserves had been cut. Army
Reserves Funding for 2009-10 has actually increased from 2008-09. As at the
end of September 2009, the number of days paraded is in line with the same
period in 2008,” said Dr Kelly.
“I can assure the Australian public that the Government remains committed to
the development of Australia’s Reserve capability. This is demonstrated by
the emphasis that the Government has placed on the ADF’s Reserve
capability in the latest White Paper.” Dr Kelly said.
“For the sake of the morale and peace of mind of our serving men and women
in the ADF Reserves, Mr Baldwin has a responsibility to get his facts right
before indiscriminately shooting from the hip and circulating misleading
information for shallow political purposes”.
Media contacts:
Mark Sjolander (Dr Mike Kelly):
02 6277 4840 or 0407 102 220
NEWS 
