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

Senator, it is an important issue. Pay is always an important issue, particularly for men and women in uniform. I was not at that meeting. I have not received any information in support of your contention. I am therefore very reluctant to comment on it. Defence Force pay issues are always at the front of this government's mind. The relationship we have with our uniformed personnel is very good and strong. Indeed, I think the relationship that we have with uniforms as a government stands in complete and stark contrast to the derision that the former government was held in by uniformed personnel, which took so much money out of the defence budget, having had to deal with a chronic shortage of resources in managing a Defence Force capability plan. While the Labor Party was in power, the current Chief of Army said that further funding cuts to defence would risk soldiers' lives. That is what you have bequeathed to us. That is what we are repairing. Dealing, as we have, with tough measures on pay, we are seeking to provide the necessary resources so that our men and women in the field can have the full benefit of a properly resourced Defence Force.

Senator Conroy interjecting—

Senator Back interjecting—