Moncrieff Media
Labor’s Defence cuts a double-blow for Gold Coasters
23 June 2009
Slashing Defence positions will come as a blow to young Gold Coasters hoping for a career in the Australian Army, local MP Steven Ciobo said.
The Rudd Labor Government is cutting 1000 full-time Australian Defence Force (ADF) reserve positions and reducing the available ADF Gap Year Program placements to 600 in a bid to recoup some of its record debt.
“Gold Coasters looking to take advantage of the location of the Canungra Army Base, will now be very disappointed by this dramatic slashing of available reserve positions,” Mr Ciobo said.
“Because the Canungra Army Base is quite accessible for Gold Coasters, locals saw the location as a good incentive to join the reserves, and support the effort to protect our country.
“Also, many Gold Coasters saw joining the reserves as a good option for receiving extra income in this tough economic climate as steady jobs become harder to find.
“But the cut of 1000 full-time positions may force locals wishing to join the ADF reserves to rethink their plans,” Mr Ciobo said.
The Defence Budget Statements also revealed that the number of ADF Gap Year Program positions will be reduced to just 600 places in 2009-10.
“School leavers looking to join the Gap Year Program will find themselves unsure as to whether their future plans will become a reality as there are more people applying than available places in the program.
“The Coalition has always been committed to increasing the number of available places for the Gap Year Program to 1,000 yet the Rudd Labor Government has done the opposite, effectively halving the number of positions.
“It will be Gold Coast locals who stand to be affected as the Rudd Labor Government embarks on more cost-cutting measures that emphasise its two faced-approach to Defence investment.
“Despite the Defence Minister proposing to increase ADF investment in retention and recruitment measures, his actions speak otherwise.
“These poor decisions are just another case of the Rudd Labor Government going back on their word and as a result Gold Coasters are left out in the cold.”