The Hon. Mal Brough, MP
Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence
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11 May 2004
BUDGET 2004-05
$356.5 MILLION FOR BETTER ACCOMODATION FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL
Accommodation arrangements for Australian Defence Force personnel will be greatly enhanced under a $356.5 million package in the 2004-05 Budget, Assistant Defence Minister Mal Brough and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Fran Bailey, announced today.
The package will provide single ADF members with improved modern facilities on Defence bases around Australia and more ADF personnel will be given the choice to live on or off base.
The project, called Single LEAP (Living Environment and Accommodation Precinct), will include:
- $113.2 million for new or renovated individual units for ADF members without dependents. The intention is to engage the private sector potentially through Public Private Partnerships to deliver innovative living environments for ADF members; and
- $243.3 million to increase the successful Rent Assistance scheme, enabling up to 10,600 ADF members without dependants to live off base by 2006.
"Single LEAP will deliver a quality living environment for our ADF servicemen and women who live on base. Members will enjoy upgraded accommodation with modern amenities such as internet access. The upgraded accommodation will also be close to key services such as coffee shops, dry cleaners, and gymnasiums. It’s great news for ADF members," the Ministers said
"Under Single LEAP, the local area maybe redesigned and landscaped to give more of a ‘home’ or ‘community’ feel to the area. It will be a total living environment for our soldiers, sailors and airmen and airwomen – provided in a cost effective way."
Ms Bailey, who has responsibility for Defence Infrastructure, said the Government will leverage the $113.2 million to maximise the benefit potentially through a Public Private Partnership to deliver a high quality living environment for ADF members.
"The use of Public Private Partnerships will be assessed against their ability to deliver innovation and value for money," Ms Bailey said.
Mr Brough who is responsible for Defence Personnel and Families said the Rent Assistance scheme will also be extended under a $243.3 million package, which will enable up to 10,600 ADF members without dependants to live off base by 2006.
"Rent Assistance has been both effective and popular," Mr Brough said.
"Rent Assistance provides ADF members with a wider choice. At the same time it is a highly cost-effective method of providing accommodation."
"We ask a lot of our Defence personnel, so it’s important to provide them with quality housing," Ms Bailey said.
Mr Brough said the $356.5 million program demonstrated the Government’s commitment to the wellbeing of Defence personnel.
"These new measures will provide a very high standard of accommodation for the men and women of the ADF and will deliver long term recruitment and retention benefits across all three services," Mr Brough said
Media Contacts: David Moore (Mr Brough’s Office ) 02 6277 7540 / 0417 774 724
Kevin Lowe (Ms Bailey’s Office) 02 6277 4433 / 0408 404 468
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