The Defence Reserves Association 2009 National Conference was held on 22 August from 0830 to 1800 hours at RAAF Williams Laverton Base (Melbourne). The theme of the conference was “The 2009 Defence White Paper – The Reserves toward 2014”.
In the evening there was formal Dinner, at which the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston AC AFC was the guest speaker.
The Conference was addressed by a panel of distinguished speakers including:
· Executive Director and Staff from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute
· Senior Officers of the Australian Defence Force including Maj Gen John Caligari – Head Capability Development – Army, DGRES-Navy, DGRES-Army, DGRES-Air Force and Surgeon General-Reserves
· Spokesperson representing the Minister for Defence
· Opposition Defence spokesman
See below to download the prestentations.
Recent DRA conferences have addressed the question of the Reserves’ role in enhancing the effectiveness of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The 2009 Defence White Paper has set a comprehensive defence framework for the ADF, and the 2009 conference examined the implications of this policy document upon the structure and employment of our part time forces.
The context of the conference was set by the President of the Defence Reserves Association (DRA) Major General Jim Barry during which the background to contemporary reserve service was explored together with the Defence White Paper (DWP) focus on part time service. The vital capability contribution by our reserve forces was a common theme throughout the conference as was the need for improved conditions of service – in particular the payment of the superannuation guarantee levy to all reservists, not just to those reserve members on Continuous Full Time Service (CFTS).
An evaluation of the DWP was introduced by ASPI Director Major General Peter Abigail who described the document having both political and policy themes and was thus an important scene setter for defence development. Dr Rod Lyon also from ASPI discussed some of the underlying aspects of the DWP, emphasizing the reliance on the Strategic Reform Project (SRP) to deliver the means whereby many outcomes will be achieved and the key roles that our Reserves are expected to undertake. Major General Abigail summed up DWP evaluation, highlighting the criticality of the realization of the Defence Capability Plan (DCP) in the period to 2014, and the dependence on both uncertain resources and on the ability of the Defence Materiel Organization and the Services to handle and deliver into service all of the DWP commitments.
Major General John Caligari, on behalf of the Chief of Army (CA), discussed the implications of the DWP on the reserves. The intention is to review the balance of the full and part time components of the Army to identify the DWP savings without effecting capability retention. The skills contribution unique to the reserves is to be fostered and utility of the reserves increased. The consequent reserves restructure is to be planned and conducted by experienced Reservists to avoid adverse consequences as in the past. Reduction in the cost of defence estate ownership is anticipated and the Adaptive Army reforms will continue to meet the DWP expectations.
Senator Jacinta Collins read an address from the Minister for Defence that reassured the audience that reservists concerns relating to conditions of service, depots, integration and the like will remain constantly under review and that defence reserves are considered a long term and sustainable component of the ADF. In response to questions, Senator Collins undertook to relay to the Minster the matters (particularly conditions of service/superannuation) that trouble reservists.
Peter Lindsay MP the Opposition Defence Spokesman congratulated the DRA on the work being undertaken on behalf of reservists and criticized the lack of funding clarity in the DWP that may adversely impact reservists. He expressed support for the view of the DRA regarding the use of civilian workplace comparable employment contracts for reservists and warned of growing employer dissatisfaction with multiple deployments by reservist employees.
The Directors General – Reserves from the Services presented a reserves update, each explaining support achievements in the last 12 months and describing the effect that the DWP outcomes are expected to have on reserves. Concerns are held about the dependence on the success of the SRP and the likely effect on reserves of any savings shortfall. Air Force and Navy (through the Navy Reserve Capability Enhancement Program) see reserve support to the ADF continuing to increase in “man year” terms and have confidence in the delivery of cost efficient capacity without reducing capability.
Being at an earlier reformation stage, Army continues to progress management of the full and part time force elements whilst concentrating on the development of reserve capability. Army reserve numbers are down but transfers to the full time force increased marginally in the last 12 months. The Estate Companion Review (to the SRP) is expected to focus on dispersed Army reserve depots and recommendations of the recent Audit Office Report are being implemented progressively. Defence reserves recruitment remains challenging, and planning to achieve the $346m cost saving over the next decade required in the DWP is underway.
Major General Jeffrey Rosenfeld presented a progress report on Defence Health – particularly the Joint Health Command and the high priority that the mental health stream is occupying. Key health issues include recruitment, training, reserve training days, deployment issues, integration and career development. Of special interest is the recent procurement of a C17 aircraft fitted for intensive care treatment of battlefield casualties over extended period evacuation flights. The development of defence health is expected to accelerate over the coming 12 months.
The open forum sessions under the guidance of the Australian Defence Association Executive Director Neil James were lively affairs with discussion ranging across a wide range of topics including the attraction of reserve service to ex permanent Air Force members (why not Army?) cancellation of reserve training day allocations, implications of rebalancing imperatives (1770 Army positions being axed to reduce “hollowness”), proper research of cut backs to reduce adverse consequences, use of veterans corporate knowledge, rehabilitation (Surgeon General – Reserves considers system largely working well ) and proper use of special reserve Naval Engineers.
The Conference Dinner was addressed by the Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston. He described the contribution he expects the reserves to make not only to ADF capability but also to the broader community. The essential and indivisible part of the ADF that the reserves represent was emphasized, together with the niche capabilities that they contribute. The need for comparable (equitable) conditions of service for both full time and part time ADF members is recognised and an undertaking was given that these will be developed. Operational deployment during the career of every reservist is to be expected and more effective use of reservists will generate significant savings for Defence over the next decade. The contribution of the DRA coupled with defence resources will see the future challenges met by both full time and part time ADF members.
Texts of the presentations, including the above summary of the conference are now available to download:
