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

I thank Senator Macdonald for his question. Like all areas of government, the Australian Defence Force Cadets organisation is working hard and is providing world standard youth programs, though we are always focused on making sure that the programs are affordable. I know Senator Feeney is providing strong leadership in this regard and has spoken to me a great deal about the cadet program and his support for it is.

The program has been expanding, with newly formed units across the country. Recent data shows that the Australian Defence Force Cadets have increased across the three services by over 1,000 cadets. However, funding within the Australian Defence Force cadets has been prioritised to ensure that the three services can still deliver a world standard youth development program. Claims that the Australian Army Cadets supervision has been cut by 30 per cent are untrue. Claims that Navy and Air Force cadet units will be amalgamated and may be closed down in a sweeping or widespread manner as a result of budget cuts are untrue. Experience has shown that, from time to time, cadet units close as a result of a lack of cadet volunteers or community support, just as new cadet units emerge because of renewed interest.

I understand up to six Australian Navy cadet units may have to close due to lack of staff, cadets and community support. The claims of widespread cutbacks et cetera are not true. There have been some changes in relation to cadet instructors and the allowances paid to them in the Army. Apparently there are no changes to the allowances in Navy or Air Force, but there have been in the Army. As I say, the broad— (Time expired)