A rigid hull inflatable boat, of the type to be supplied to Ukraine: Photo: Department of Defence
The Albanese Government will spend more than $600 million on continuation bonuses to retain Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and recruit another 1000 reservists.
The move is part of the 2024 Defence Workforce Plan (to be released today) which addresses ADF recruitment and retention, culture and support.
The bonus applies those who have served at least four years of fulltime service and will also apply to those with at least seven years’ service.
The plan also intends to increase the reserves by an extra 1000 personnel by 2030.
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS: The 2024 Defence Workforce Plan
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles says it is “crucial” that the ADF has the people it needs to protect Australia’s strategic interests.
“The 2024 Workforce Plan will help ensure Defence can recruit and retain the highly specialised and skilled workforce required to meet its capability needs,” he says.
Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Minister Pat Conroy says the Australian defence industry will serve as “an essential partner”, as part of the Defence Industry Development Strategy, to train defence workers.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Matt Keogh says the plan details a transformation process.
“The plan focuses our effort to deliver lasting institutional change to improve Defence culture and the health, safety and wellbeing of our people and ADF families,” he says.
Funding for the plan is coming from an extra $5.7 billion, and $50.3 billion over 10 years, to grow the ADF, the Defence Department says.
UKRAINE GIFTS
Australia will give 14 rigid hull boats worth $14m to Ukraine to bolster the country’s maritime and coastal defence.
The news follows the contribution of rigid hulled inflatable boats by Marles’s visit to Ukraine earlier this year.
“Australia remains firmly committed to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression,” Marles says.
“This is in Australia’s interests, and is the right thing to do,” he says.
“Ukraine has demonstrated its ability to thwart Russia’s continued attacks from the Black Sea.
“We are proud to contribute to these vital maritime defences with this new package.”
The Australian Defence Force boats will add a fast and highly manoeuvrable maritime capability for Ukraine, the government says.
Since the start of Russia’s invasion, Australia has given more than $1.3 billion in military support to Ukraine including armoured vehicles.
