BUDGET 2008-09

SUSTAINING DEFENCE OPERATIONS

The Rudd Labor Government has allocated $1.036 billion in 2008-09 for major overseas operations, Minister for Defence, Joel Fitzgibbon, announced today.

Mr Fitzgibbon said the funding will ensure that the men and women of the Australian Defence Force are fully supported while they are contributing to regional and global security.

“The Rudd Labor Government has allocated $618.9 million in 2008-09 to support Australia’s commitment to operations in Afghanistan,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

The Australian Defence Force maintains a Reconstruction Task Force, which is working to improve infrastructure and services for the people of Oruzgan Province.

“During the next 12 months, this component of the Afghanistan commitment will transition into a Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, with the inclusion of an Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team.  This team will assist Afghan forces to carry out more security and reconstruction tasks in the Province.

“The Special Operations Task Group continues to enhance security in Oruzgan Province by targeting and disrupting Taliban extremists.  The recent deployment of two Chinook helicopters to southern Afghanistan directly supports the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force mission and the activities of Australian troops in Oruzgan Province.

“In addition, the Royal Australian Air Force continues to provide airspace control with a Mobile Control and Reporting Radar Unit at Kandahar airfield,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

By mid-2008, there will be approximately 1,100 Australian Defence Force members in Afghanistan.

“Australia is the largest non-NATO contributor to operations in Afghanistan and our troops are doing a magnificent job there.  We remain committed to helping Afghanistan become a stable nation free of terrorism,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Funding has also been committed to the following areas of operation:

·        $215.7 million in 2008-09 to maintain approximately 1,000 Defence personnel in Iraq and the Persian Gulf area;

·        $174.3 million in 2008-09 to maintain the Australian Defence Force’s commitment in Timor-Leste, assisting in the restoration of stability and security in that nation; and

·        $27.1 million in 2008-09 to maintain an Australian Defence Force presence in the Solomon Islands, assisting in the maintenance of stability and security of that nation.

”The Rudd Labor Government will continue to work with our friends and allies in the international community to prevent terrorism and build security for the people of Iraq and Afghanistan, to ensure stability for our neighbours,     Timor-Leste and the Solomon Islands, and to protect Australia’s borders,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Media contacts:

Christian Taubenschlag (Joel Fitzgibbon):         02 6277 7800 or 0438 595 567

Defence Media Liaison:                                       02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664