John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

I am certainly happy to provide Senator Johnston with what information I have on this issue, and I will not be able to answer all the elements of the question that he has asked me. I would make the point in commencing my answer to Senator Johnston that of course the government is committed to looking after our service personnel. The dangerous work that they do, including our special forces soldiers on deployment in Afghanistan, they of course do, as we all understand, in the service of the nation.

My understanding is that on 22 October 2008 the Minister for Defence issued an instruction that the debt recovery on this particular matter should cease. Senator Johnston may be aware that the Chief of Army then directed that all debt recovery action would cease from 13 November 2008, which was the next pay period. I can say that since that time the Army has been conducting a thorough audit to find out how many people have been affected. Senator Johnston may be aware that KPMG is now conducting an independent audit to ensure that any remaining pay concerns of special forces soldiers and their families are put to rest. I can also inform the Senate that an interim report from KPMG was delivered today. I can say in relation to that independent audit report (Time expired)