Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1)   Operation Slipper is the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) contribution to the international coalition against terrorism and covers Afghanistan and the Middle East Area of Operation (MEAO). In addition to Operation Slipper the Government has approved a range of Force Protection measures to provide direct protection for Australian Defence Force members from small-arms, improvised explosive devices and indirect fire. The table below (available from the Senate Table Office) shows the net additional cost of Operation Slipper and Force Protection from 2001 to the present.

(2)   The Government has agreed funding for Operation Slipper (Afghanistan and the Middle East Area of Operation) of $1,221.8 million in 2011-12 Budget, and in the forward estimates $299.6 million in 2012-13 and $139.2 million in 2013-14 (as published in Table 13 of the Portfolio Budget Statements 2011-12). This covers an Australian Defence Force personnel commitment to 30 June 2012 with funding provided in the forward estimates for costs associated with return of equipment to Australian and its remediation and a contribution to the Afghan National Army Trust Fund. Any ADF personnel commitment beyond 30 June 2012 will be considered by Government in its consideration of the 2012-13 Defence Budget Submission.

In addition to Operation Slipper the Government has agreed funding for Force Protection of $482.4 million in 2011-12 Budget, and $190.6 million in 2012-13 (as published in Table 13 of the Portfolio Budget Statements 2011-12).

(3)   As reported to AusAID in Defence's June 2011 return, Defence spent $18.623 million on Australia's resource flows to developing countries on Official Development Assistance (ODA) in Afghanistan.

(4)   A break down of the expenditure by project on Official Development Assistance (ODA) in Afghanistan is shown in the table below (available from the Senate Table Office). In accordance with arrangements agreed by AusAID, Defence reports expenses incurred with the delivery of Official Development Assistance. In the case of Afghanistan this includes allowances, logistics support and other costs of personnel deployed undertaking Reconstruction Tasks.