Chapter 1 Introduction

Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade

Committee activities (inquiries and reports)

Review of the Defence Annual Report 2003-04

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Chapter 1 Introduction

Defence objectives, personnel and 2004-05 Budget allocation
Annual Report review objectives and scope
Focus areas

1.1

During the period July 2003 to June 2004, Defence has been subject to a range of external and internal challenges. The Defence Update 2003 highlighted the changed strategic environment in which the Australian Defence Force (ADF) operates.1 In particular, the rise of global terrorism and the threat of non-state actors is causing Defence to reassess its capabilities. The new Defence Capability Plan (DCP) provides detailed information on the capabilities that Defence will acquire during the next 10 years.

1.2

Defence has embarked on an ambitious program of reform to its procurement arising from the Kinnaird Report.2 The Defence Material Organisation (DMO) will become a separate prescribed authority headed by Dr Stephen Gumley. In addition, a Capability Development Group (CDG) was formed within Defence for the purpose of defining capability requirements and advising DMO of specific capability needs.

1.3

The management of Defence’s budget is critical. Defence has a large complex system and like other government agencies must demonstrate transparency and accountability to the Parliament. Defence’s budget is qualified and a significant amount of work is being done on rectifying these concerns.

1.4

At the same time that these intern al reforms are occurring, Defence has personnel deployed on operations in areas such as Iraq, the Solomon Islands and East Timor. In addition, ADF personnel have, at short notice ,been called to provide humanitarian assistance following the tragic Tsunami on Boxing Day 2004.

1.5

The four topics selected for examination, as part of the review of the Defence Annu al Report 2003-04 , cover some of these issues. The first topic examines reforms to the Defence procurement system. In particular, the changes to the DMO and the developing relationship between the DMO and the CDG will be explored.

1.6

Topic two examines Australia’s future amphibious capability. The current DCP has confirmed that two large amphibious ships will be purchased to replace Australia’s current amphibious capability. Some groups such as ASPI suggest that it may be more effective to purchase four smaller amphibious vessels rather than two large ships. This issue will be examined as part of this topic.

1.7

Defence’s qualified financial statements, and the steps Defence is taking to improve this situation are examined in topic three.

1.8

The final session examines Defence’s range of humanitarian relief operations. The most recent example is Defence’s contribution following the Tsunami on Boxing Day 2004. Defence will detail the extent of its humanitarian relief capabilities and their relationship to Defence’s key war fighting objectives.

 

Defence objectives, personnel and 2004-05 Budget allocation

1.9

The Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS) 2004-05 provides information on the overall Budget allocation and key initiatives. Defence’s strategic objectives are influenced by the strategic principles set out in Defence 2000 – Our Future Defence Force (the Defence White Paper) and in Australia’s National Security: A Defence Update 2003 (the Defence Update 2003). Defence states that the principles set out in these documents ‘remain a valid framework for addressing Australia's defence policy.’3 This point was reiterated in the Defence Update with the comment that ‘while the principles set out in the White Paper remain sound, some rebalancing of capability and expenditure will be necessary to take account of changes in Australia’s strategic environment.’4

1.10

As outlined in the White Paper, there are five strategic objectives to which Defence contributes:

1.11

In relation to capability, Defence states:

The training and skill levels of the ADF will be suitable for providing the nucleus for an Australian-led coalition force, or for providing a commitment to other coalitions. Consequently, the ADF will be able to operate in the maritime, air and land environments both separately and jointly.5

1.12

The ADF is maintaining a force structure that comprises the following combat elements:

1.13

Defence commented that these ‘major combat elements are being progressively more integrated and informed through a number of command, communications and intelligence systems.’7

1.14

For 2004-05 the most recent Budget estimates for Defence are shown in the PBS. Table 1.1 reproduces the key information.

 

Table 1.1 Defence Resourcing Summary – 2004-05

 

2003-04 Actual Result
$000

2004-05 Budget Estimate
$000

Revenue from Government for outputs

14,636,157

15,625,941

Own source revenue

428,849

330,562

Equity injection from Government

706,334

299,025

Net Capital receipts

101,961

91,980

Administered appropriation

2,319,500

2,336,900

Total Defence resourcing

18,192,801

18,684,408

Notes
1. Own-source revenue excludes ‘assets now recognised’ revenue and ‘net gains from sales of assets’ revenue.
2. The administered appropriation of $2,336.9m covers costs associated with the military superannuation schemes, and also covers the provision of housing subsidies to current and retired Defence personnel. The administered appropriation is managed by the Department of Finance and Administration (Commonwealth Superannuation) and the Defence Housing Authority (housing subsidies) on Defence’s behalf.

Source Defence Portfolio Budget Statement 2004-05, p. 23; Defence Annual Report 2003-04, p. 37.

1.15

The average annual strength of the three services for the five years from 2000-01 through to 2004-05 is shown in Table 1.2 below.

 

Table 1.2 Average Annual Strength of Services (number of persons) – 2000-01 to 2004-05

 

2000-01

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04
Actual result

2004-05
Budget estimate

Navy

12,396

12,598

12,847

13,133

13,167

Army

24,488

25,012

25,587

25,446

26,035

Air Force

13,471

13,322

13,646

13,455

13,670

Total Permanent Force

50,355

50,932

52,080

52,034

52,872

Source Defence Annual Report 2003-04, p. 260; Defence Portfolio Budget Statements 2004-05, p. 205.

1.16

ADF Reserve and civilian staffing is shown in Table 1.3.

 

Table 1.3 2004-05 ADF Reserve and civilian staffing

Reserve Force

2003-04 Actual result

2004-05 Budget Estimate

Navy

1,881

1,850

Army

16,445

16,700

Air Force

2,162

2,160

Total Reserve Force

20,448

20,710

Civilian Staffing

18,303

17,841

Source Defence Portfolio Budget Statements 2004-05, p. 206; Defence Annual Report 2003-04, pp. 260-261.

1.17

Table 1.4 shows the total Defence workforce comprising the military and civilian components.

 

Table 1.4 2004-05 Total Defence Workforce

Workforce

2003-04 Actual result

2004-05 Budget Estimate

Military

72,522

73,582

Civilian

18, 303

17,841

Professional service providers

1,878

n/a

Total Workforce

92,703

91,423

Source Defence Portfolio Budget Statements 2004-05, p. 205; Defence Annual Report 2003-04, p. 263. Professional Service Providers are individuals under contract filling line positions. This category of worker was not tracked until 2003-04.

 

Annual Report review objectives and scope

1.18

The review examines a combination of information from the PBS 2004-05 and the Defence Annual Report 2003-04.

Focus areas

1.19

The four focus areas selected for scrutiny at the public hearing provided an opportunity to examine how Defence is addressing the new strategic environment as articulated through the Defence Update and the Defence Capability Review. The four focus areas were:

1.20

In addition, the Secretary of Defence and the Chief of the Defence Force attended the hearing. The session with the dual leaders of the ADO provided an opportunity to scrutinise a range of issues across the entire Defence Annual Report.



Footnotes

1 Department of Defence, Australia’s National Security, A Defence Update 2003, March 2003. Back
2 Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Defence Procurement Review 2003, 15 August 2003. Back
3 Defence Portfolio, Portfolio Budget Statement 2004-05, p. 3. Back
4 Department of Defence, Australia’s National Security, A Defence Update 2003, February 2003, pp. 5-6. Back
5 Defence Portfolio, Portfolio Budget Statement 2004-05, p. 3. Back
6 Defence Portfolio, Portfolio Budget Statement 2004-05, pp. 4-5. Back
7 Defence Portfolio, Portfolio Budget Statement 2004-05, p. 5. Back

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