Labor makes $600m promise towards ADF recruitment and retention
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The news: Labor will announce almost $600 million towards recruitment and retention in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), as well as additional support for Ukraine, as it releases a new plan to boost the number of soldiers in Australia.
The context: Australia’s defence force has been struggling with recruiting new staff and retaining existing members in recent years.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles will announce on Tuesday the release of the 2024 Defence Workforce Plan, which will further raise the alarm about the highly competitive labour market putting pressure on Defence’s ability to attract and retain the right people.
The plan makes clear that for the ADF to stabilise and grow, the inflow must increase from approximately 5,500 per annum to 9,000 per annum over the coming decade. The median length of permanent ADF service must also increase from around seven years to around 12 years.
Marles will announce the $600 million commitment which will include extending the continuation bonus for eligible, permanent members at the end of their initial service obligation, who have served a minimum of four year.
The government will also expand the continuation bonus for a second cohort of eligible, permanent members around the seven to nine year of service mark and increase the operational reserves by an additional 1,000 personnel by 2030.
It will also announce additional support for Ukraine including the gifting of 14 rigid hull boats, valued at $14 million. It comes after the government last month announced the gifting of 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks.
What they said: “Our ADF personnel are our greatest capability, which is why it is crucial that the Defence workforce has the people it needs to help protect Australia’s strategic interests," Marles said.
“... Australia remains firmly committed to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. This is in Australia’s interests, and is the right thing to do.
“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 source: Defence Minister's office
