AUSTRALIAN ARMY RESERVE CUTBACKS - THE DEBATE

Recently there has been much discussion in the media concerning proposed cutbacks to Army Reserve funding and its consequences. The following is a chronological summary of the discussion in which the DRA has been involved. Attached for downloading are the articles mentioned in this summary.

1.      At DRA August 2009 - Annual Conference MAJGEN Caligari stated:

·         F/T – P/T balance of Army to be reviewed and utilization of P/T component increased

·         CA has stated that whilst overall capabilities will not diminish and skills unique to the Reserves will be identified and fostered

·         The review of the Army Reserve is to be undertaken by persons familiar with the P/T force and will be deep, thorough and far reaching

·         The implementation plan will go to Government before end 2009

2.      Government representative Senator Jacinta Collins told Conference participants that:

·         Reserves mobilization role is to be retained

·         Reserves must develop leaders and teams capable of full integration

·         Reservists are highly regarded and must be ready to serve

·         Local Ares depots provide valuable link with community.

3.      Opposition Defence Spokesman  The Hon Peter Lindsay MP also told the Conference that:

·         Reservists are critical to defence tasking

·         All Reservists should be employed under appropriate work contracts

·         Budget concerns will impact Reserves significantly

·         Many employers dissatisfied with multiple deployments

4.      Nov 2009  - The Hon Bob Baldwin MP issues press release - “NO AMMUNITION FOR RESERVES” - highlighting the adverse effects that funding cuts and reductions in ammunition allocations have on the ADF Reserves.

5.      Nov 04 2009 - Article by Mark Dodd in the Australian newspaper - “Pay Hike hits Army Reserve training”, - quoting a veteran ARes officer who feels “betrayed” by Defence decision to severely axe training days.

6.      Nov 06 2009  - Response (to para 4 above) by Parliamentary Secretary Dr Mike Kelly -“OPPOSITION WRONG ON RESERVES” - refuting claims that ammunition allocation for reserves training has been cut and assuring the Australian public that allegations of reserves funding cuts are wrong and that the Government remains committed to development of Reserves capability.

7.      Nov 19 2009 - DRA Victoria President, MAJGEN Garde advises membership of details of training day, AFX, night parade and Anzac Day participation cuts ordered by HQ 2 Division.

8.      Dec 09 2009 - DRA National President, MAJGEN Barry issues media release  -“RESERVES HIT FOR SIX BY ARMY LEADERSHIP” - expressing concern regarding the Army’s Reserves Restructure Plans and detailing six areas in which the proposals will adversely effect Reserves capability contribution.

9.      Dec 29 2009 - ABC Radio interview by MAJGEN Barry (following on from para 7 above) during which cutbacks in Reserve salaries, training days and ammunition allocations were discussed together with the adverse morale consequences and likely future costs of increased short term separation rates.  Full transcript. 

10.   Dec 29 2009 - Article by Nick Butterly (Canberra) -“Reserves denied ammo as front-line role grows” - published in the West Australia News, criticising defence cutbacks in training at Perth based 13th Brigade and deploring blatant waste in overpriced defence contracts.

11.   Dec 29 2009  – LTGEN K Gillespie (Chief of Army) Press Release - “Correcting the Record – ADF Reserves and Maintenance Contracts WA” - affirming that claims of perceived reductions in Reserve Training Days and ammunition allocations are inaccurate / untrue.

12.   Dec 30 2009 – Article by David McLennan - “Defence warned that Reserves will quit” - published in the Canberra Times. Refers to MAJGEN Barry’s ABC radio interview (29/12/2009) highlighting the adverse effects that training cutbacks will have on retention of Reservists and mistakenly quoting MAJGEN Barry as referring to Reservists as “second class soldiers”.

13.   Jan 04 2010 – Letter to the editor from LTGEN Gillespie published in the Canberra Times responding to article (para 12 above) and praising the irreplaceable capability contribution by reservists and decrying any reference to them as “second class”.

14.  Jan 05 2010 – Letter from The Australia Defence Association published in the Canberra Times asking why Reserves training time is being reduced when recent studies clearly show that 28-32 days per annum are requires to maintain basic training standards and if such training cannot be afforded then the Army Reserve will surely fail.

15.  Jan 05 2010 – Email from MAJGEN Barry to LTGEN Gillespie clarifying his misreported comments and calling for defence to seek funding from Government to ensure that Reserves maintain training standards and that adverse effects of the extant cutbacks are minimized.

16. Jan 05 2010 - 2CC Radio Interview by serving reservist  responding to comments by Lieutenant General Gillespie and stating that his reservist unit has suffered significant financial cut backs.  Full transcript.

17.  Jan 06 2010 – Letter to the Editor “Canberra Times” by Ian George (yet to be published) - “Defence Reserves – First Class Management Needed” - in response to LTGEN Gillespie letter (para 13 above) calling for realistic and professional management of our Defence Reserves.

18. June 26  2010 - Article by Ken Aldred published in the online news journal newsweekly.com.au in which he proposes that Government spending cuts will put the Army Reserve at Risk.

See also: Territorial Army Cutbacks - The UK Experience

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