This is the only aircraft currently in production which has a proven capability to meet ADF operational commitments, in Australia, the region and globally.  The C-17 has four times the carrying capacity of the RAAF C-130 Hercules.  The C-17 aircraft has the load capacity and range that will allow the ADF to rapidly deploy troops, combat vehicles, heavy equipment and helicopters.  This includes the M1A1 Abrams Tank, as well as Black Hawk, Sea Hawk, and Chinook helicopters.  Each C-17 has the capacity to transport five Bushmaster Infantry Vehicles, or three Tiger helicopters.

The fleet of up to four aircraft will give Australia a new Responsive Global AirLift (RGA) capability, significantly enhancing the ADF’s ability to support national and international operations, and major disaster rescue and relief efforts.  It is possible for the first aircraft to be delivered later this year with the balance of the fleet to be delivered by mid 2008.  This will give the ADF the Responsive Global Airlift operating capability it needs within a short time-frame.

Acquisition of the C-17 will also provide significant opportunity for our aerospace industry with Boeing proposing

GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES COMBAT CLOTHING INQUIRY

An Independent Review Team will conduct an inquiry into the Defence Material Organisation’s procurement practices for clothing and personal equipment for members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).  The inquiry will ensure that practices comply with Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines and provide suggestions for improvements.

The Review Team will comprise Air Vice-Marshal Bob Treloar AO, Mr Mike Harding and Dr Alan Kallir.  Air Vice-Marshal Treloar was the Commander Australian Theatre, commanding all ADF operational activity.  His experience and background in the field of military operations are highly relevant to a review of this nature.

Mr Harding has extensive experience in the private sector.  He is a Non-Executive Director and member of the Audit Committee of Santos; Non-Executive Director, Deputy Chairman and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee of ARC Energy; and Chairman of the Project Governance Board - Land Systems Division (Army), for the Department of Defence.

Dr Kallir has advised senior management in service and manufacturing industries around the globe for more than a decade.  He has extensive and significant experience working with Boards, Chief Executive Officers and Senior Management on issues of strategy, organisation, growth and profit management.

The Review Team is to finales its report by the end of May 2006.

New Defence housing planned for Ipswich

The Federal Parliament’s Public Works Committee will consider a $50.7 million Defence Housing Authority (DHA) project to build 162 new houses at Ipswich in Queensland.  The development is planned for Fairview Rise, Ipswich, which is located conveniently close to RAAF Base Amberley and Ipswich city centre.

The DHA has been building homes at Fairview Rise since the early 1990s, and the area has proven popular with Defence personnel and their families.  Consultation with the public has been underway since early this year.  Letters advising of the development have been sent to over 600 residents in the adjoining areas, and an information display has been on show at a nearby shopping centre.

NEW SITE FOR DEFENCE FACILITY IN BENDIGO

The new site for the Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation facility is to remain in Bendigo, on Commonwealth land adjacent to the Bendigo Multi-User Depot at the Longlea Defence Establishment.  A number of sites around Bendigo were considered in the evaluation of the most suitable site. The fact that Longlea is on Commonwealth land and no land acquisition costs will be incurred was an important factor.

An environmental study of the selected site at Longlea was conducted as part of the process and it found that the new facility would have minimal environmental impact on the small area needed for the building.  The completion date for the new building is expected in late 2007.

CHILD CARE BOOST FOR DEFENCE FAMILIES

Defence families across Australia will benefit from a boost of 1,000 extra places in 13 new Defence corporate child care centres, a major expansion of the Defence Child Care Program.  This brings the total number of Defence child care centres to 38 and offers further priority placement to Defence families under a contract with ABC Corporate Care Pty Ltd.  The contract also allows other families in the wider community to access any vacant positions. 

New centres will be introduced between April and December 2006 and increase priority long day care places for Defence families to more than 2,500, an increase of 150 per cent in the size of the program within 18 months. The new sites Defence recently accepted from ABC are in the following locations:

Mr L.J. Bienkiewicz – 0411 444248

Commodore H J P Adams (Retd) - 02 6292 1452