Massive budget increase for Australia's military
Defence will get a massive additional $43 billion dollars over a decade, with three per cent annual growth. The budget includes a substantial allocation of $9.2 million for the International Commission on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, and also funds for counter-proliferation intelligence; and for nuclear and radiological security.
Australia’s promise to increase overseas aid has been kept, but some of this is earmarked to back up our military interventions in Afghanistan and the Solomon Islands.
Some details from the defence budget:
- "$43 billion worth of new initiatives over the decade - met by continuing commitment to growing the underlying defence budget by 3 per cent average real growth to 2017-18 as promised in the 2008-9 budget, followed by 2.2 per cent average real growth to 2029-30"
- "combined measures will result in Defence receiving approximately $146 billion of additional funding across the life of the White Paper to 2030. This fully covers off the capability and other funding requirements set out in the Defence White Paper"
- "over the decade, Defence will receive approximately $308 billion under the government's new financial plan. The task of delivering on the Government's new White Paper commitments has already begun.”
Funding for the white paper initiatives for 2009-10 include :
- key capability acquisitions and projects such as artillery systems, replacement of light vehicles, upgraded rifles and enhancements to ADF command and control systems, satellite communications capability and counter-Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) initiatives
- commencing work on a cyber security operations centre
- Improvements to DSTO, including the Missile Simulation Centre
- remediation of Defence's ICT
- Pay improvements for non commissioned soldiers, sailors, air men and women
- recruitment and workforce stabilisation incentives for the Navy
- Improvements to ADF healthcare
- greater flexibility in ADF housing and accommodation, enhancements to mental health care, remuneration and assistance to families
- remediation of ageing power, water and sewerage infrastructure across our defence bases and refurbishment of old working and live in accommodation
Funding ADF operations - a snapshot:
$1.7 announced in 2009-10 budget for major ADF operations. Afghanistan, and the wider Middle East Area have $1.4 billion, $62.2 million allocated for operations in Iraq. to protect embassy and staff, and. $213.8 million to East Timor and $29 million to the Solomons. $12.6 million to Operation Resolute to provide whole of government focus on domestic maritime security activities. to protect Australia's exclusive economic zone.
