2 November 2010

RNZRSA MEDIA RELEASE

RNZRSA Welcomes Defence White Paper

Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association responds positively to the Defence White Paper 2010 but sees future challenges

The Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association (RNZRSA) has responded positively to today's released Government Defence White Paper 2010.

National President Don McIver says that while it presages no budgetary increase for our Defence Force (which is not surprising in the present economic environment), more importantly, neither does it foresee any overall reductions. In reviewing our likely strategic environment over the next 25 years the Government has identified the need to maintain, sustain and enhance the present capability mix. No new capabilities are foreseen.

The positive aspects of the review are that;

- To meet the Review's targets, Defence must achieve significant internal savings by, for example, a programme of civilianisation of military posts not essential to the operational capability, real estate consolidation and other programmes of training and logistic consolidation and simplification. But, most importantly, said McIver, these savings are to remain available to Defence for reassignment to the cost of maintaining and enhancing capabilities especially by providing higher personnel levels and improved equipment at the operational front of the force.

- Importantly, the CDF, our senior professional military commander, will be given the added authority to get on with the job. He will develop, manage and prioritise the responses necessary to meet the Government's strategic target

The challenge will be for the CDF to meet the savings targets set for him. For example, to put a Combined Arms Group of 800 into operations and to sustain them for three years is no simple commitment. But the targets are clear and the wherewithal to achieve them has been identified. And in Defence planning where nothing remains static so the promise of a further review in 5 years is important.

The RNZRSA was actively involved in the submission process. McIver said that the RSA members would continue to take an active interest in the ongoing implementation of the Defence White Paper.

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