opening statement

BY

air chief marshal angus houston, Ac, afC

supplementary budget estimates

 

21 October 2009

 

 

Check against delivery

 

This morning I would like to make an opening statement that provides the Committee with an update on operations, the current state of the ADF workforce and a couple of ways in which we are looking after our people.

 

Operations

 

I will begin with Operations.

 

AFGHANISTAN

 

At the beginning of last week I spent a few days on the ground in Afghanistan. In addition to visiting with Australian and coalition troops, I was able to undertake a number of high level meetings with both Afghan and NATO officials.

 

The overwhelming feedback I received was how highly regarded our Australian troops are and how very well our people understand counter insurgency and the requirement to mentor and train the Afghan National Army.

 

Our people are operating extremely effectively and in accordance with Commander International Security Assistance Force, General McChrystal’s, strategy to protect the people of Afghanistan. I saw ADF men and women building a strong rapport with local Afghans and working towards increasing their level of interaction in accordance with Afghan customs, culture and religion.

 

Since July, the Special Operations Task Group and Afghan National Security Forces have reinforced the support they have from the local Afghan population by demonstrating their ability to protect them, thereby fostering trust and offering the Afghans a positive alternative to Taliban control.

 

Our people are also very focused on partnering with, and empowering, the Afghan people. In fact, it is standard practice for the ADF and the Afghan National Security Forces to regularly conduct shuras, or meetings, with tribal elders to discuss issues and the areas of greatest need in their communities. We are then able to undertake planning activities and significant reconstruction projects in very close consultation with the local Afghans.  

These initiatives have also paved the way for direct community assistance in the form of basic medical clinics. Many of these clinics are staffed by female SOTG medics and interpreters, enabling our Special Forces to begin reaching out to an important and large part of the local population. These clinics have provided tangible evidence that the health issues of women and children is recognised as important by coalition forces.

The result of this multi-faceted approach is improved levels of trust within the local community. It is this support that will provide a solid foundation upon which to build a positive, durable and sustainable coalition and Afghan National Security Force presence.

 

McChrystal Report

 

The Committee would also be aware that a few weeks after the elections, General McChrystal submitted his 60 Day Campaign Assessment report.

 

I can advise the Committee that, as a major contributor to the campaign in Afghanistan, Australian was consulted at senior levels by General McChrystal and his deputies during the preparation of the Assessment.

 

The Assessment is still under consideration by the United States Administration and NATO, so this is a matter for them in the first instance.

 

But I can say that we welcome General McChrystal’s focus on ensuring we have an agreed and carefully calibrated plan with which to go forward. I also endorse General McChrystal’s widely supported focus on protecting the population and training the Afghan forces to take security responsibility.

 

Civilian Casualties

Before I move on to other operations, I want to say that we in the ADF are deeply saddened by any civilian deaths or injuries that occur on an operation.

In Afghanistan, our enemy are the primary threat to the safety and security of the Afghan people, and they are directly responsible for the majority of all civilian casualties. The Taliban are a brutal insurgency who employ indiscriminate methods such as suicide bombs and improvised explosive devices, and they use these methods in full knowledge of the threat they pose to innocent Afghans.

In fact, the Mid Year Bulletin on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict in Afghanistan prepared by the Human Rights Unit of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, has identified these and other Taliban methods as being directly responsible for the clear majority of civilian casualties in Afghanistan.

However, I have undertaken that, when it is apparent—either through credible allegations or through our own operational analysis—that there might be an instance in which an action of ours has potentially led to a civilian casualty, the ADF will investigate these matters carefully. I have also made clear that at the appropriate juncture I will make the outcomes of those investigations public. I am satisfied that we are doing this.

 

ADF Loss

Sadly, since we last met we have lost another young soldier in Afghanistan. Private Benjamin Ranaudo, a member of the 2^nd Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, was killed by an improvised explosive device on 18 July 2009. I extend my deepest sympathy to this young man’s family, his friends and his fellow soldiers.

IRAQ

 

Turning now to Iraq, I am sure the Committee would be aware that on the 31st of July the ADF marked a significant milestone with the completion of Operation CATALYST. During the course of this operation Australian personnel were responsible for training approximately 36,000 members of the Iraqi Army, Navy and Marines. We also had the distinction of being involved in the first transfer of an Iraqi province, Al-Muthanna, to the provincial security control of Iraqi forces.

 

We continue to maintain a small presence in Iraq comprising a security detachment to the Australian Embassy in Baghdad (known as Operation KRUGER) and we have two members directly supporting the United Nations (known as Operation RIVERBANK).

 

COUNTER-PIRACY OPERATIONS

 

Another aspect of operations that I would like to bring to the attention of the Committee this morning is Counter-Piracy. Since we last in convened in June the ADF has commenced counter–piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. Our contribution to international counter-piracy efforts includes the cross-tasking of our Frigate—currently HMAS Toowoomba—and a portion of our AP-3C maritime patrol aircraft effort between Combined Task Forces 151 (counter-piracy), 150 (counter-terrorism) and 152 (maritime security cooperation).

 

DISASTER RELIEF OPERATIONS

 

Finally, very recently the ADF has been involved in a number of regional disaster assistance operations in Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Indonesia.

 

Our continuing operations are Operation SAMOA ASSIST, which is our contribution to Samoa following the recent tsunami and Operation PADANG ASSIST, where we are providing a range of capabilities in the areas of health, engineering, airlift and water purification after an earthquake struck off the coast of West Sumatra in Indonesia.

 

OPERATIONS: SUMMARY

 

I conclude the operational aspect of my statement by saying that overall we remain very busy. We have about 3,900 people deployed on operations all over the world. In addition, we have about 400 men and women contributing to whole-of-government efforts to protect our offshore maritime areas. Concurrency risks remain, but that said, we are effectively managing our operational commitments, and capabilities are available to respond to our domestic and regional security responsibilities.

ADF Workforce Growth

 

I would now like to draw your attention to recent ADF workforce growth. I am pleased to be able to report that we are on track to meet our White Paper workforce growth targets. Indeed, I am very, very pleased with our performance in both retention and recruiting.

 

ADF Separation rates have continued to decrease over the past 12-months. As at 1 September 2009, the ADF 12-month rolling separation rate of 8.4% is nearly 2% lower than 12 months ago.  This is the lowest separation rate in the last decade for the ADF.  In the last 12 months, Navy has experienced a reduction in separation rate of 1.8% to 9.7%, Army a reduction of 2.0% to 9.2% and Air Force has seen a reduction of 1.9% to 5.7%.

 

Recruiting is also improving, with 89% of our targets being met. This time last year,  we were achieving 67%.  The increase in Navy achievement is especially noteworthy, as we are currently achieving 84% of full-time Navy targets—this time last year, we were only achieving 49%. 

 

Whilst I acknowledge that the economic environment has assisted, I firmly believe that these excellent outcomes are also directly related to the many initiatives we have implemented across our Workforce System. There can be no doubt that the financial and non-financial package that we are now offering is encouraging ADF people to join and stay. 

 

Other efforts in the recruiting areas have paid dividends and should place us well for the future growth we need.  In particular, the Multicultural Recruitment and Retention Strategy, the Indigenous Employment Strategy and the Recruitment and Retention of Women Strategy seek to widen our recruiting base. Also, our new recruiting model is in place and achieving good results. And, though it was not planned as a recruiting initiative, the ADF Gap Year program has been fully subscribed and the first full year saw over 30% of participants change over to the Permanent ADF. 

 

Supporting our people

 

Whilst these improvements to the ADF Workforce are pleasing, I recognise that we must always strive to provide our people the best possible work environment and act in their best interests. It is for this reason that I would like to highlight some initiatives we are undertaking in support of our people.

 

CARE OF WOUNDED PERSONNEL

First, I would like to assure the members of the Committee that we are taking very good care of our people who have been wounded on operations.

You are probably aware of this distinction, but to ensure I am being clear, I would like to reiterate the difference between the terms wounded and injured in a military context. A Defence member hurt in an incident that has not been the result of adversarial action is said to have been injured. Any member that is serving in war-like conditions and is hurt during contact with the adversary, is said to have been wounded.

When one of our people is wounded on an operation, if their physical impairment is minor, they are treated and once they are fit, they are returned to service. If, however, their impairment is considered serious they are provided with appropriate treatment at the nearest properly equipped medical facility.

Within five to ten days of the member returning to Australia, they are enrolled in the ADF Rehabilitation Program, which manages all of their healthcare and rehabilitation requirements. This enables us to ensure we are properly coordinating their treatment, support services and keeping a good flow of information between the member’s unit, health staff, various Defence groups, external service providers and DVA. The aim of this is to provide the best health care while reducing confusion for the member and their family in dealing with multiple agencies as they recover.

Now, the very nature of our current deployments and the tactics of our enemy mean that the majority of ADF people who have been wounded on operations since 2001 are our soldiers in the Middle East.

This is why the Army has also established the Army Casualty Administration and Support Framework. This system complements the ADF Rehabilitation Program, and has the aim of better managing the member’s medical needs, along with improving options for retention in the Service, for those who wish, and are able, to return to productive employment within the ADF.

I am very satisfied that our people are being provided with excellent medical care. Since 2001, of those soldiers who have been seriously wounded in the Middle East Area of Operations, 83.6% have been returned to duty and only 8.7% have been medically discharged. The remaining 7.7% are currently undergoing rehabilitation.

It is also important to note that the wide range of services provided by the ADF is comparable to the US Army’s Wounded Warrior Program. The ADF provides physical, psychological and vocational rehabilitation, along with support for personnel administration and transition services, with the ultimate aim of returning the member to their best level of function.

On a personal note, I was recently able to visit some of our most seriously wounded soldiers. I have never been so humbled and impressed than I was by these young men. I was amazed by their resilience and determination. I can assure you—just as I promised them—we are doing everything we can to ensure they are provided with the best medical care and the support they need to achieve their goals.

 

FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO ADF FAMILIES

 

On a related matter, I am acutely aware of the challenges faced by the families of ADF members who are seriously wounded or killed whilst on operations. I can assure you that Defence, DVA and other Commonwealth agencies are working very closely together to provide comprehensive financial and non-financial support for those families.

 

In the event of a death in particular, the application of military compensation legislation is a very complex matter as it involves not just compensation, but also superannuation and policy on the nature of service. Defence, DVA and ComSuper have to work in close partnership with each other—and the member’s family—to ensure that all financial entitlements and benefits are assessed and provided as a matter of priority. We also have to ensure that all non-financial support addressing the needs of the family is provided immediately as part of the package of bereavement support. I stress that each situation is unique and we really do have to tailor our approach to suit individual requirements.

 

You will be aware of recent media coverage of the situation of a widow of a soldier who was killed while serving in Afghanistan. In the interests of observing the privacy of this soldier’s family I will speak only broadly on the detail of what are private matters. However, I can assure you that I am very familiar with this case and have spoken to the widow a number of times. Every assistance has been provided to the family including compensation, superannuation payments and funeral arrangements, and I have extended the tenancy of the home that is provided through Defence Housing Australia. We are working closely with DVA to ensure continuing assistance is provided to this family—and indeed all Defence families who have lost a loved one on operations—through what is an unimaginably difficult time.

 

Conclusion

 

You have been very patient this morning and I don’t want to take up anymore of the Committee’s time with my opening statement. I thank you for the opportunity and now welcome your questions.

 

--ends--

 

 

 

 

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