The Coalition’s plan for real action to Support Defence
19-August-2010
There is no higher priority for the Coalition than the defence and security of Australia and its people.
The Coalition has a strong track record of setting realistic goals for enhancing our defence capabilities and achieving real outcomes in the national interest.
A major modernisation of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) commenced under the previous Coalition Government following the release of the 2000 Defence White Paper.1
This document is widely regarded as the most comprehensive reappraisal of Australian defence capability seen in this country and was updated in 2007.2
This process resulted in the ADF being provided with ‘world’s best’ equipment and assets. However, in a rapidly changing world, the need for technological advancement and renewal is ongoing.
Despite the Labor Government’s release of a Defence White Paper in May 2009 it has failed to produce a credible or coherent plan to fund its highly ambitious list of new acquisitions.
Sustainable resourcing of Defence will only be possible with a prudent financial framework that only a Coalition Government can provide.
The foundation of this commitment is a plan of real action, in response to genuine priorities, within a framework of responsible financial management.
The Coalition’s Plan for Real Action for Australia’s Defence will:
1. Acquire Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
The Coalition will acquire three new state-of-the-art, Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in 2015-16. These aircraft have the speed and endurance to watch over Australia’s vast land and maritime jurisdictions.
2. Establish a Defence Industry Advocate (DIA)
A Coalition Government will provide $4 million towards the establishment of a Defence Industry Advocate to assist the Australian defence industry in their dealings with DMO.
3. Provide free health and dental care to all ADF members and their dependents
A Coalition Government will commit $77.5 million towards the provision of free basic health and dental care to all ADF members and their dependents in close proximity to Defence establishments across the country.
4. Provide additional support for the successful ADF Gap Year Program
A Coalition Government will restore the integrity of the Gap Year Program by contributing $75 million towards increasing the intake to 1,000 places per year from 2011-12.
5. Develop a Defence Reserves Green Paper
The Coalition will develop a Defence Reserves Green Paper.
6. Governor-General’s Cross and Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal
A Coalition Government will create a new medal called the Governor-General’s Cross to give recognition to the sacrifice of ADF members who have lost their lives while serving their country overseas, or who subsequently died as a result of their wounds, since 1948, which will be presented to next-of-kin. A Coalition Government will also task the Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal to investigate a number of long-standing issues relating to eligibility for Medals.
1. Department of Defence, Defence 2000 – Our Future Defence Force, (2000) at <http://www.defence.gov.au/publications/wpaper2000.PDF >.
2. Department of Defence, Australia’s National Security – A Defence Update (2007) at <http://www.defence.gov.au/ans/2007/pdf/Defence_update.pdf>.
For more information on this policy click here