Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

REYNOLDS (—) (): Thank you again, Senator Fawcett. In November last year, as the Minister for Defence, I requested that the Governor-General authorise a limited call-out as a validation exercise in case the bushfire season required a much larger call-out. Sadly, that came to pass. On 4 January this year we announced a compulsory call-out of up to 3,000 Army reservists, which allowed CDF to direct reservists to perform full-time service, which was also service that protected their employment.

While reservists have always been part of the nation's response to disasters, their contributions have always been voluntary, at reserve conditions of service. While the call-out will now cease on 7 February, hundreds, if not thousands, of reservists will continue to serve on Operation Bushfire Assist on a voluntary basis. I thank all reservists, and particularly their families and their employers, for making this service possible. (Time expired)