Coalition requests briefing on US defense budget cuts

27/01/12

Shadow Minister for Defence Science, Technology and Personnel, Stuart Robert, today requested an urgent briefing from the Department of Defence on the impact the recently announced US Defense Budget cuts will have on the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and our wider national security apparatus.

‘US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta today outlined how the US Department of Defense will absorb $487b worth of cuts over the next decade in order to adhere to the 2011 US Budget Control Act,’ Mr Robert said.

‘It is critical the Coalition be provided with advice from the Australian Department of Defence on what affects these changes will have on our own Defence Force and national security infrastructure.’

‘Consequently I have written to Defence Minister Smith to request an in-depth and urgent briefing in order to gain a detailed understanding of the impact of the decisions taken by the Obama administration.’

Mr Robert said the breadth of the decisions announced today by Secretary Panetta necessarily require an in-depth investigation before making further comment.

‘While I welcome the United States re-commitment to an increased presence in the Asia-Pacific region, issues such as the decision to slow down the JSF program will require a detailed analysis in order to determine the impact on Australia’s future air combat capability,’ Mr Robert said.

‘Within the context of Australia’s defence and national security policies there are likely to be more far reaching impacts of today’s announcements. That is precisely why I have requested an urgent briefing from the Department of Defence.’