DEFENCE STRATEGIC REVIEW

DEFENCE STRATEGIC REVIEW

Recommendations in the report have repercussions for the future focus of ex-service organisations including the Returned and Services League.

The Defence Strategic Review outlines the need for a refreshed approach to Australia’s Defence priorities in light of technological and personnel capacity, and recent global geopolitical shifts.

The review points to the distance-based threats such as cyberwarfare and the evolving power relationships in the Indo-Pacific as contributing to the call for a new approach to Defence strategy.

According to regular contributor to the Reveille Professor John Blaxland of the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at ANU, the review prompts a reappraisal of the role and volume of Defence personnel.

“As high-tech and capable as the ADF is, it’s just so small,” he said. “We have historically focused on quality over quantity, and I think we’ve used that as an excuse to let the size of our

Defence Force whittle away to the point where the quality advantage is negated by the quantity disadvantage.”

Blaxland said that even for that relatively small force compared to other countries’, the nature of support for veterans has varied.

“Australians have been provided with as much support as they possibly could when they have been deployed, but it’s not been so great upon their return,” he explained. “I think there’s a need for us to not let the cynicism of the recent past in Middle East conflicts distract from our focus on the challenges of the future, to which the veteran community has an important contribution to make.”

A voice for veterans

It is that need for improved wellbeing and retention support for current serving members within Defence that RSL NSW CEO and Army veteran Jon

Black says is so important – as those current personnel are the veterans of the future.

“The current separation rate in Defence is in double digits and recruitment targets are not being met, particularly in some critical employment categories,” he said. “Despite the important focus on the future of Defence in Australia in this review, investment in Defence platforms will be undermined if the future workforce issue goes unaddressed.

“The RSL needs to step up and have a voice in lobbying the government to increase funding for veterans’ support and services in line with the increase in the number of Defence personnel recommended by the Defence Strategic Review.”

Help provide assistance to the veterans of the future by making a donation to the RSL NSW Veteran Support Fund.