Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

None of the savings will impede our nation's defences. We will maintain an Australian Defence Force able to protect our interests and help maintain the peace and stability of our region. As the government has previously said, most savings come from deferring some Defence acquisitions and adjusting the Defence capital equipment program but also from delivering further operating efficiencies. There is also a planned reduction of 1,000 civilian positions in the Department of Defence to be achieved primarily through natural attrition and tightening of recruitment practices. Notably, (1) there will be no adverse impact on operations; all operations continue to be fully funded.