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SPEECH DY THE PRIME MINISTER
LAUNCH OF THE READY RESERVE SCHEME
AND RECRUITING CAMPAIGN
BRISBANE, 2 OCTOBER 1991
Minister Dilney,
CDF General Peter Gration,
Major-General John Sanderson,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Students, Since coming t~ o office in 1983, my Government has made
far-reaching reforms to foster an outward-looking, confident
Australia which both contributes to, and benefits from, a
stable and prosperous region.
The development of Australia's Defence Force is a vital part of
that approach. The recently completed Force Structure Review
recommended changes to Australia's defence posture to ensure we
enter the next century with a defence force which is relevant,
effective and efficient.
The Review was; conducted on the basis of my Government's well.-
defined policy of defence self-reliance.
In accepting 1: he Review, the Government was persuaded by the
emphasis it gave to three key outcomes.
The first of t: hese is to develop the combat capabilities of the
Defence Force by reducing the number of service personnel
involved in support functions and by contracting out such
functions wherever this is appropriate.
Second, the Review reaffirmed our commitment to improving our
capability to conduct operations in the northern and western
approaches to the Continent. That is being done by extending
western basing for the Navy, increasing the number of Army
units based in the north, and by providing greater capacity for
the Air Force to deploy and operate from northern airfields.
The third key outcome was to make greater use of reserves,
including a new form of service the Ready Reserve.
The principle which underlies all these reforms to the ADF is
the same as that which underlies the Government's reforms in
many areas. In everything we do, Australia must discard
outdated practices and concepts, and look instead for the most
efficient way to do the job. That is what micro-economic
reform is all about. It is vital to the future of our
Industry, and it is vital to the future of the defence force.
The Government's defence reforms have not been a cost-cutting
measure indeed we have maintained defence spending in real
terms. These reforms have been instituted to ensure that we
get the best value for our defence dollar, and that is
important at any given level of expenditure.
The Ready Reserve Scheme is an excellent example of this reform
in action. It is the result of an innovative and imaginative
look at the way the ADF uses its most precious resource
people. It reflects a sophisticated balance of priorities,
which will provide the ADF with a mix of capabilities. This
will give it the readiness and sustainability we need, with the
most efficient use of resources.
The Ready Reserve Scheme will improve our capability to respond
to emergency situations at short notice. It does not replace
or decrease the emphasis given to the very important roles of
the existing reserves. Rather, it increases the depth of
available trained units and personnel in an emergency.
Earlier this year I congratulated the Minister for Defence on
the exemplary work undertaken by the CDF and his colleagues in
bringing together the sweeping and far-reaching package of
reforms contained in the Force Structure Review and the Ready
Reserve Proposal.
At the time I said that much work lay ahead in bringing those
major changes to fruition. The opening of the Recruiting
Campaign for the Ready Reserve Scheme is a milestone in that
regard. In acknowledging that milestone, I am aware that reform is
always difficult in a large organisation. I am sure that the
Ready Reserve Scheme is no exception.
The fact that Defence has been able to work through the
internal and external criticism that seems to be inevitable
with change does the organisation great credit.
Each of the services will take advantage of the opportunities
provided by the Ready Reserve Scheme. With the introduction of
the Scheme, Navy is planning to restructure the whole of its
Reserve organisation to meet its operational needs better.
This means that the reserves will become more involved in
activities which have traditionally been undertaken by members
or former members of the Permanent Naval Force. In this
process some of the traditional roles and functions of the
existing reserves will be replaced by greater opportunities to
be involved in mainstream naval service.
3.
The Army is committed to the total force concept with combat
units trained and equipped to meet a range of contingencies in
the defence of Australia and her interests.
Regular soldiers maintain high standards of collective training
to meet shorter notice contingencies while reservists, through
their part-time commitment, provide individual skills and the
experience base to support the conduct of protracted operations
when necessary.
Army Ready Reserve units will be able to reach and maintain
training standards equivalent to regulars in their specialist
fields. As a result they will be at a higher readiness status
than the general Reserve, which will nevertheless retain
important roles in protection of vital assets and provide a
basis for expansion of our defence effort if required.
Reserve personnel provide a cost-effective and potent part of
the Air Force.
The Ready Reserve Scheme in Air Force will provide airfield
defence squadrons to protect bases during emergencies.
Training will be the same as for regular airfield defence guard
members. But the Ready Reserve Scheme is not just important to the ADF.
The Scheme is a part of our broad philosophy of involving more
of the community in the nation's security.
The Defence Force of the future will need well-trained and
highly motivated people of the highest calibre. So does the
Australian workplace. The Ready Reserve Scheme provides an
opportunity for young people to serve their nation in both
roles. During the last election campaign I said that Australia needed
to become a clever country. I said that cleverness is
something that should permeate the entire society and
especially our workplaces.
I am particularly pleased to see that Defence has responded to
that call with the Ready Reserve Scheme.
The Scheme is clever because it is a unique arrangement to
share the talents of high-calibre young Australians between
Defence and Industry. After an initial period of intense
military training, Ready Reserve members will be encouraged to
focus their attention on civilian careers but they will remain
ready for operational service if required.
It is smart because Defence has seen the advantages of using
its own resources to support the development of civilian skills
as a recruitment incentive. Those skills will be of benefit to
both Industry and Defence.
The Scheme will thereby help us bring out the best in ourselves
as a nation.
The conditions of service and employer-support package are
arguably the best in the world.
The Scheme should be extremely attractive to those considering
a Defence career for the first time, as well as to those
present members of the Defence Force who want to pursue a
second career.
And I believe civilian employers will find much to commend in
the Scheme.
Community support, and especially the support and involvement
of employers, is vital to the success of the Scheme.
While employer financial support will be of practical
assistance, I am encouraged to note that initial feed-back from
employers indicates broad support on both the training of
employees and on support for national defence. A partnership
between the Government and employers nationwide is essential
for a cohesive national security policy particularly with
respect to voluntary reserve service.
To date, the Committee for Employer Support of Reserve Forces
has provided the contact between reserves and employers. In
recognition of the increased emphasis now being placed on
reserves, the role of this committee has been expanded and its
title changed to the " Reserves Support Committee"
Responsibility for supporting the Committee will rest with the
newly established Assistant Chief of the Defence Force
Reserves, himself a senior reserve officer.
The Scheme and this Recruiting Campaign is primarily directed
towards those young Australians who are about to complete
secondary schooling. I commend the Scheme to those of you who
wish to make a significant contribution to your nation's
security. It will also allow you to secure a future in a very competitive
educational and career environment. Thus, your contribution to
Australia's future can be twofold.
Before taking any decisions about whether to join the Ready
Reserve Scheme, the first step is to complete your final
examinations. I wish you every success in this regard and in
those very important career decisions that you will make
shortly thereafter.
As you finish your last term of school, I ask each one of you
to consider the benefits to you and Australia of service in the
Australian Defence Force Ready Reserves.
Ladies and gentlemen, I take much pleasure in declaring open
the national Ready Reserve Recruiting Campaign.