Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I indicated both in the primary answer and in the secondary answer that some changes are being made but that the fundamental commitment to the program remains, that there are not going to be the large-scale closures that were reported. I indicated to you one of the things that was happening in Army relates to the allowance for instructors. The truth is there is strong support for the cadet program, both inside Defence and inside the government.

As a former air cadet myself, I hold the cadets close to my heart. I gave it away when the short haircut was not working for me socially in my mid-teens, when long hair was the fashion. So my promising career was cut short. I still have the cap, Senator. I will bring it out. But our support for the cadets remains strong and we continue to see them as an integral part of the development— (Time expired)