THE MINISTER FOR DEFENCE SCIENCE AND PERSONNEL BRIEFS RIVERINA PERSONNEL AND FAMILIES ON
THE DEFENCE WHITE PAPER

The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, today visited Army and Air Force personnel in the Riverina region to brief them on the new Defence White Paper. 

“The White Paper affirms the Rudd Government’s commitment to the defence of Australia, the security and stability of the regional security environment, and a rules‑based global security order,” Mr Snowdon said.

“But ultimately, people are at the heart of delivering the Defence capability set out in the White Paper.

“There is a significant and important Defence presence in the Riverina region, notably the Army Recruit Training Centre (Kapooka) and RAAF Wagga, which is the Air Force’s premier training facility for enlisted airmen and women.

“They have a vital role to play as over the next decade we grow the permanent Australian Defence Force by 3000 to approximately 57,800 personnel, to develop, deliver and operate the new capability announced in the White Paper.

“The importance of Australian Defence Force families is also acknowledged in the White Paper with an additional $55 million allocated for family support.

“This funding will be used in part to create eight new Community Development Officers to help Defence families make links with their communities; an initiative I know will be warmly welcomed in Wagga Wagga.

“The additional Community Development Officers will form vital partnerships between businesses, governments, and the wider Defence community that families rely on when they move into new areas.

“The new Defence White Paper is the most comprehensive ever produced by an Australian Government and provides for significant funding to deliver an Australian Defence Force for the 21^st century that will be better equipped, fully networked and better prepared to meet Australia’s security requirements,” Mr Snowdon said.

Media contacts:

Kate Sieper (Warren Snowdon):              02 6277 7620 or 0488 484 689

Defence Media Liaison:                            02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664