The Howard Government has committed a total of $313.9 million in 2004-05 to support Australian Defence Force operations around the globe.
Defence Minister Robert Hill said an extra $131.6 million over three years would be committed to continue Operation Catalyst, the ADF’s contribution to the rehabilitation of Iraq beyond the planned hand over to the new Iraqi Government in June. This will enable the ADF’s deployment to be sustained at about current levels until at least June next year and brings the total funding provided for operations in Iraq to $776.3 million since 2002-03.
"We are playing a crucial role in helping to get Iraq back on its feet – providing training for the new Iraqi defence forces, contributing to security and providing air traffic control services at Baghdad Airport," Senator Hill said.
"With the new funding, the Government has ensured that the ADF will have the resources needed to stay until the job is done."
Senator Hill said $20.1 million would be provided in 2004-05 and 2005-06 to provide for a continued but reduced ADF presence in East Timor.
"The Government has provided for a continued ADF presence in East Timor," Senator Hill said.
$22.2 million is also allocated in 2003-04 and 2004-05 to Operation Anode, the ADF’s contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands. The ADF support to police has been critical to improving law and order in the Solomons and ending the threat of ongoing violence. As the situation continues to improve, the ADF presence in the Solomons will be reduced.
Senator Hill said $16 million had been provided in 2004-05 to continue Operation Relex II, the ADF’s contribution to operations to deter unauthorised boat arrivals and strengthen Australia’s borders. The new funding comes in addition to previous funding of $17.8 million in last year’s budget, $27.8 million in 2002-03 and $18.7 million in 2001-02.
"Since the beginning of Operation RELEX there has been a significant drop in unauthorised arrivals into Australia, demonstrating the success of the Howard Government’s overall border protection measures," Senator Hill said.
"As a result, the number of ADF personnel deployed on border protection was reduced in 2003-04, although contingency arrangements remain in place to reinforce the assigned force elements should the level of threat increase again."
Senator Hill said the range of ADF operations funded in the 2004-05 Budget demonstrated the critical need to maintain a flexible, mobile and prepared defence force capable of operating both close to home and further afield.
"The broad range of missions demonstrate the complexity and uncertainty of the strategic environment in which we now live," Senator Hill said.
"Defence personnel are extremely capable and well equipped not only to support operations in our immediate region, but also to deploy further afield to assist global efforts to combat terrorism and defeat the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
"Our 2000 currently deployed personnel consistently punch above their weight in operations around the world – making meaningful contributions in the war against terrorism to the stabilisation and rehabilitation of Iraq, the UN mission in East Timor, the regional assistance mission to the Solomon Islands and to border protection."
