SENATOR STEPHEN CONROY
DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
&
GAI BRODTMANN MP
SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR DEFENCE
MEDIA RELEASE
ADF PAY DEAL IS FAIR AND NOT A CUT, SAYS DEFENCE MINISTER
The Abbott Government is in denial about its decision to cut the pay and conditions of Australian Defence Force personnel. Over the past three years, ADF wages have increased by an average of 3 per cent every year. The Liberal Government’s offer is half that at only 1.5 per cent – well below the latest underlying inflation figure of 2.6 percent.
During Senate Estimates, Defence Minister David Johnston said he fully supported the Government’s measly pay offer.
Senator Stephen Conroy: Do you think it’s a fair proposal?
Senator David Johnston: In the circumstances that the Government is facing financially, yes it is.
Senator Stephen Conroy: You haven’t expressed a view to him (Senator Abetz) that a real pay cut is not acceptable?
Senator David Johnston: This is not a real pay cut. I certainly haven’t.
It is deeply disturbing that not only is the Abbott Government determined to cut the pay of our service men and women, but the Defence Minister can’t even admit the facts.
This follows revelations that there is no good reason the Government cannot put a fair deal on the table because it is already budgeted for. The Government has blamed its Budget emergency for the below inflation pay offer, while the Budget papers reveal the funds have already been provided for. That is scandalous.
It is incomprehensible that this government can send our service men and women into harm’s way, and at the same time force the ADF take an effective pay cut.
Wednesday 22 October 2014
Media Contacts: Adam Sims (Conroy) 0408 258 457
Claire Wheaton (Brodtmann) 0422 370 036