Tuesday, 9 May 2006

059/2006

SUSTAINING DEFENCE OPERATIONS

The 2006-07 Budget underlines the Government's determination to provide Defence with the resources it needs to meet its operational commitments. The Budget provides an additional $623 million over three years to support operations both overseas and in Australia .

Additional funding is provided for operations in Iraq ($392.7 million), Afghanistan ($218.2 million), and for deterring unauthorised arrivals ($12.1 million).

Working with the Iraqi Government, the Australian Defence Force continues to contribute to Multinational Force efforts to develop a secure and stable environment in Iraq and assist national recovery programmes. About 1,400 Australian Defence Force personnel are currently deployed on Operation CATALYST in the Middle East .

The Government is fully committed to working with friends and allies in the international community to prevent terrorism.

In Afghanistan , the Australian Defence Force currently has approximately 310 personnel deployed under Operation Slipper to support the International Coalition fight against terrorism. This includes a Special Forces Task Group, which is expected to be withdrawn in September 2006 and the recently deployed CH-47 Chinook helicopter detachment. It is expected that the Chinook helicopters will remain until the end of November 2006.

The Government will also deploy a reconstruction task force to Afghanistan later this year as part of the NATO-led Reconstruction Task Force in partnership with the Netherlands. This deployment is further evidence of Australia's commitment to supporting the Government and the people of Afghanistan as they build their new democracy.

The current international military coalition against terrorism is carefully targeted against the perpetrators of terrorism and their supporters.

Operation RELEX II is the Australian Defence Force operation which contributes to the whole of government programme to detect, intercept and deter vessels transporting unauthorised arrivals from entering Australia through the North-West maritime approaches. It includes units from all three services and supports Coastwatch and Customs.

Media contacts

Nigel Blunden	(Dr Nelson)	02 6277 7800	0407 632 931
Defence Media Liaison		02 6265 3343	0408 498 664

Sustaining Defence Operations – Supporting Information

Why is this important?

• These initiatives will continue Australia 's efforts to work with our friends and allies to promote regional and global security, prevent terrorism and to protect Australian borders.

Who will benefit?

• The Australian community, by promoting regional and global security, preventing terrorism and protecting Australian borders.

What funding is the Government committing to the initiative?

• The Government has committed $623 million over three years, as shown in the table below:

	2006-07 $m	2006-07 $m	2006-07 $m	2006-07 $m	2006-07 $m	2006-07 $m	2006-07 $m	2006-07 $m	2006-07 $m	2006-07 $m	Total $m
Operation Catalyst	310.0	67.1	15.6	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	392.7
Operation Slipper - Reconstruction Task Force	91.5	99.4	27.3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	218.2
Operation Relex II	12.1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	12.1
Operation Total	413.6	166.5	42.9	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	623.0

What have we done in the past?

• The Government has supplemented Defence for the net additional costs it incurs on major operations. This represents a continuation of that policy.

When will the initiative conclude?

• The funding for Operation Slipper covers a two year deployment period. The funding for Operation Catalyst is for a one year extension to 30 June 2007 . Operation Relex II funding has been provided for 2006-07. The nature and length of these operational commitments will continue to be reviewed by the Government.

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