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The Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson,
Minister for Defence

Media Release

Sustaining Defence Operations

The 2007-08 Budget provides an additional $1.3 billion over five financial years to support ADF operations both overseas and in Australia.

The additional funding will ensure that ADF servicemen and servicewomen will be well equipped, well trained and well protected when they are on operational deployments.

An additional $703 million is provided over four financial years, including $32 million for costs incurred in 2006-07, to expand Australia 's commitment to operations in Afghanistan. In addition to the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) which is working with Dutch forces on reconstruction efforts in Oruzgan Province, a Special Operations Task Group of about 300 personnel is to deploy to the same province for at least two years.

The Task Group will enhance provincial security by disrupting Taliban extremists' command and control and supply routes. The Task Group will be supported by additional logistics and intelligence capabilities, and the redeployment of two Chinook helicopters to Afghanistan in 2008.

An RAAF mobile control and reporting unit will also deploy to Kandahar airfield and an additional C-130J aircraft will deploy to the Middle East. The RTF Force Protection Company Group will be extended to provide close protection to the RTF until August 2008.

The total ADF deployment to Afghanistan will peak at approximately 1,000 ADF personnel by mid-2008, underlining Australia 's continuing commitment to support the Afghan Government as it strives to deliver a stable future for its people.

An additional $389 million has been allocated to Defence to maintain a deployment of about 1,500 ADF personnel in the Middle East Area of Operations, including Army trainers.

Australia 's deployment in Iraq is contributing to Multinational Force efforts to develop a secure and stable environment in Iraq and assist national recovery programs.

An additional $135 million has been allocated over two financial years to maintain present ADF force level commitment to East Timor in order to assist in the restoration of stability and security in that nation.

The whole-of-Government programme to detect, intercept and deter vessels transporting unauthorised arrivals from entering Australia through the North-West maritime approaches, has been a hallmark of the Howard Government's security policy. The Government has allocated an additional $52 million to Defence over four financial years as part of Operation Resolute in order for the three Services to be able to support Customs and Coastwatch on this important national task.

These deployments are under regular review.

All up, including funds approved in prior budgets, the Government has allocated $1.5 billion for operations over the forward estimates period, including $1.1 billion in 2007-08.

The Government is fully committed to working with friends and allies in the international community to prevent terrorism, and to bring about stability and security to the peoples of Iraq , Afghanistan , East Timor and the Solomons.

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Sustaining Defence Operations - Supporting Information

Why is this important?

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

Who will benefit?

• The Australian community, from promotion of regional and global security, prevention of terrorism and protection of Australian borders.

What funding is the Government committing to the initiative?

• The Government has committed $1.3 billion in new measures over five financial years, and has reimbursed Defence $32 million in costs incurred on Operations Slipper and Catalyst in 2006-07, as shown below.

  	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	Total
  	($m)	($m)	($m)	($m)	($m)	($m)
  Operation Slipper (Afghanistan)	32.4	447.9	191.8	30.9	-	703.0
  Operation Catalyst (Iraq)	-	301.7	59.7	28.1	-	389.4
  Operation Astute (Timor Leste)	-	107.7	27.1	-	-	134.8
  Operation Resolute (Border Protection)	-	12.6	12.8	13.0	13.3	51.6
  Total Operations	32.4	869.9	291.3	71.9	13.3	1,278.8

What have we done in the past?

• The Government has supplemented Defence for the net additional costs it incurs on major operations. This is a continuation of that policy. Including the measures announced in this budget, Defence is planning to spend $1.5 billion over the forward estimates for all operations, including Operation Anode in the Solomon Islands as follows.

  	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	Total
  	($m)	($m)	($m)	($m)	($m)
  Operation Slipper (Afghanistan)	575.3	225.0	30.9	-	831.2
  Operation Catalyst (Iraq)	373.1	75.3	28.1	-	476.5
  Operation Astute (Timor Leste)	152.8	27.1	0.0	-	179.9
  Operation Resolute (Border Protection)	12.6	12.8	13.0	13.3	51.6
  Operation Anode (Solomon Islands)	6.0	-	-	-	6.0
  Operation Deluge (APEC)	11.3	-	-	-	11.3
  Total Operations	1,131.1	340.2	72.0	13.3	1,556.5

• All up, the Government has allocated $7.6 billion to Defence on all operations since the initial deployment to East Timor in 1999.

When will the initiative conclude?

• The expansion of Operation Slipper is for a two-year period. Operation Catalyst is kept under review by Government. The funding for Operation Astute is for continuation of the operation until 30 June 2008. The funding for Operation Resolute is for continuation of the operation until 30 June 2011. The nature and length of these operational commitments will continue to be reviewed by the Government.

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