Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Labor slashed $5½ billion from defence in the budget—which, considering Wagga Wagga, in my electorate of the Riverina, is a tri-service defence city, is sure to have a great impact. Twenty Army major capital facility projects have been delayed by up to three years, Minister, including the construction of Kapooka's working accommodation. I understand that general running expenses at the Army recruit training centre at Kapooka have been, as a result, reduced by a quarter. Last year, 4,000 recruits went through the base—2,300 regular soldiers and 1,700 Army reserve. The cutbacks mean such things as the commandant, instead of travelling to other bases for important face-to-face talks with other colonels and military chiefs, is now forced to do this by telephone. Is this satisfactory for a base which is so important to our defence capabilities?

Furthermore, the towns of Tumbarumba, Temora, West Wyalong and Uranquinty, in my Riverina electorate, did not have Australian Defence Force personnel or had reduced catafalque parties at the recent Anzac Day observances. This was due to funding cutbacks. Can you give me a guarantee that these regional towns and others will receive very necessary ADF representation for Anzac Day ceremonies and other important services from 2013 and beyond?

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