John Fedup
The Bunker Group
Agree but with long delivery on stuff already ordered along with kit yet to be ordered, FOC by 2030 is not happening IMO.
New equipment would need people to operate it. The British armed forces, particularly the Royal Navy, are currently facing difficulty operating quite a lot of their equipment because of personnel shortages. It's been mentioned here as an obstacle to proposals to increase numbers of ships, for example.
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
As appealing as unmanned systems are, they only a partial solution. Most Western nations are going to have to consider mandatory service along with good incentives for those who show promise.
Murse
New Member
I do wonder at the the thinking behind some of these decisions, although I'm not sad at Latchford going-a terrible place IMO
https://www.defence.gov.au/about/locations-property/delivering-future-estate
https://www.defence.gov.au/about/locations-property/delivering-future-estate
d-ron84
Active Member
Not sure how true this is, but I was told that the last time they tried to sell Leeuwin they found out that they 'technically didn't own it' as the land had been gifted to the government to be used as a defence establishment, and therefore couldn't sell.
Most likely not true and just a good dit that went around
Murse
New Member
I was once a 7fd Bty gunner (medic actually, but they were so short I had to punch a few rounds) and the trip there from Ocean Reef was painful. Guildford would be worse these days I imagine. I have never heard of the private land bit though, interesting if true.
Im disappointed in Leeuwin Barracks being sold off, I feel like it could be needed again being so close to the port.
Im disappointed in Leeuwin Barracks being sold off, I feel like it could be needed again being so close to the port.
There a couple of problems with this. One is the government is selling off its heritage; given that places like VB Sydney and Melbourne have high levels of heritage protection, they will probably not attract the prices that the land alone would command. Let alone one should PRESERVE one’s heritage - much of Australia’s efforts in both World Wars was directed from VB Melbourne for example.
But that’s not the main one. Labour is reverting to form - move the ADF north and west. Only problem is, many members of the ADF don’t want to live north or west, that’s not where the family support is.
Plus they are closing the inner city bases. Take Warradale in SA - being closed with its functions to move to Edinburgh. Problem - it’s a reserve training base, and a lot of Ithe people in the units based there live south of the City. They’ve also given away Keswick, which is in the city. So the reservists will have to go to Edinburgh- close to a two hour drive for some of them, and the best part of an hour even from the CBD.
So what will the result be? The same as the last time they tried to do this. Permanent retention will crash, and reserve recruiting will suffer. When we already can’t get enough people. Brilliant.
But that’s not the main one. Labour is reverting to form - move the ADF north and west. Only problem is, many members of the ADF don’t want to live north or west, that’s not where the family support is.
Plus they are closing the inner city bases. Take Warradale in SA - being closed with its functions to move to Edinburgh. Problem - it’s a reserve training base, and a lot of Ithe people in the units based there live south of the City. They’ve also given away Keswick, which is in the city. So the reservists will have to go to Edinburgh- close to a two hour drive for some of them, and the best part of an hour even from the CBD.
So what will the result be? The same as the last time they tried to do this. Permanent retention will crash, and reserve recruiting will suffer. When we already can’t get enough people. Brilliant.
StevoJH
The Bunker Group
Some of the decisions are interesting.
Read where they want to move any flying activity currently operated out of RAAF Point Cook.
Surely given the proximity to Melbourne they would be better off getting rid of East Sale and upgrading Point Cook (Yeah, I know that would cost money and Labor are allergic).
As for the Sydney sales... Victoria Barracks is an "interesting" decision, I could see closing Lancer Barracks but given the heritage buildings who would buy it? Spectacle island can only really be handed over to the harbour trust?
Read where they want to move any flying activity currently operated out of RAAF Point Cook.
Surely given the proximity to Melbourne they would be better off getting rid of East Sale and upgrading Point Cook (Yeah, I know that would cost money and Labor are allergic).
As for the Sydney sales... Victoria Barracks is an "interesting" decision, I could see closing Lancer Barracks but given the heritage buildings who would buy it? Spectacle island can only really be handed over to the harbour trust?
OldTex
Well-Known Member
One question that should be asked is "Does the revenue from the sale of the Defence estate go back to Defence?". If the answer to that question is no (i.e. the revenue goes into Consolidated Revenue), then Defence is effectively made to subsidise the political pork-barrelling/vote buying of the Labor party.
thatsamguy
Member
From DefMin media release:
"All proceeds from divestments under this process will be retained within the Defence portfolio and be reinvested in National Defence Strategy priorities, including continuing to upgrade and strengthen our northern bases."
No win, no loss says hi…
Absolutely every cent of these sales will be reinvested back into defence. No loss.
Defence’s overall budget will be reduced dollar for dollar with every dollar raised. No win.
Aardvark144
Active Member
Those of us that have been around for a few decades have heard all this before and the end result will be - 'due to unforeseen budgetary pressures, funds have been repurposed'.