The Hon. Mal Brough, MP
Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence
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11 May 2004
BUDGET 2004
MORE MONEY FOR ADF PERSONNEL
The Government has announced an $80 million increase to Defence’s military personnel budget over the next four years as part of the 2004-05 Budget.
Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Mal Brough, said the move brings Defence’s budget for Australian Defence Force (ADF) health services, housing and fringe benefits tax into line with cost trends in these areas in recent years, and also provides for increases in ADF remuneration over the next decade.
"The extra funding ensures that Defence has the money to remunerate the ADF at rates appropriate for maintaining a modern highly skilled military workforce," Mr Brough said
"The personnel costs of maintaining the ADF include more than just salaries."
"This Budget measure makes sure that Defence has the resources to continue providing the men and women of the Navy, Army and Air Force with the high standard of health services and accommodation they need as well as making adequate provision for other personnel costs over and above basic salaries and allowances."
Mr Brough said the Government’s 2000 Defence White Paper provided $4.7 billion between 2004-05 and 2010-11 to fund 2% per annum real growth in Defence’s per capita personnel costs. However, trends observed since the release of the White Paper, have placed additional pressure on Defence’s military personnel budget.
"The Government has identified the need for additional funding to enable the ADF to continue to retain and attract suitably skilled personnel, address demographic trends and meet the non-salary entitlements of military personnel," he said.
"This additional funding is part of the Howard Government’s ongoing support for the men and women of the ADF who are critical to our national and international security.
"This measure is a necessary step to ensuring that support can continue into the future."
"This is in stark contrast with the period of the previous Labor Government where real Defence expenditure declined placing increasing pressure on personnel costs and conditions of service."
"My fear is that a future Labor Government would target the necessary funding for the ADF in order to pay for their other unfunded promises," Mr Brough said.
Media contact: David Moore 02 6277 7540 / 0417 774 724
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