David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Let me make one thing very, very clear here and now and on the record. We are not cutting the pay of ADF personnel. The fact is that the increase that we are paying may not be in line with what you perceive is necessary—and may I say that, to some greater degree, I share that concern. But, more importantly, I am focused on managing a budget that has been bequeathed to me by probably Australia's most incompetent financial managers in our history. So I, the government and the CDF need to balance budgets in a way that tries to equate to equity for all parties. National security is extremely important. The budget underpins our success in providing security for Australians. That is at the heart of this matter—and I can tell you we inherited a mess.