2. JILL PETTIS (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Defence
What plans does he have for investing in the further upgrading of equipment for the New Zealand Defence Force?
Hon PHIL GOFF (Minister of Defence) Link to this
Since 1999 the Government has committed some $7.6 billion, under the Defence Long-term Development Plan and the Defence Sustainability Initiative, to transforming the New Zealand Defence Force. The expenditure, of course, was necessary to rebuild and recover from the damage done by the neglect and the underfunding of the Defence Force by the National Government in the 1990s. So far 28 major projects have been advanced to significantly expand capability across the Defence Force. Further major projects will be considered by Cabinet before the end of this year, with funding provided under the long-term development plan.
The major projects include the purchase of a new training and light utility helicopter, which will be a huge step-up from the old Sioux helicopters. It will include further major development in upgrading the Ohākea air force base. Cabinet will consider a business case for advanced pilot training, when the current lease on the B200 Beechcraft King Airs expires. Finally, preparations are under way for the major upgrade of the New Zealand Anzac frigates.
Dr Wayne MappWhen will the Minister announce an unconditional sale of the Skyhawks, or does he in fact know that the purchaser has got no money, and that is why the Minister has given up, parked them outside in the rain and the wind, to corrode away, with no sale value whatsoever?
It is very hard, of course, to announce an unconditional sale, when the conditions are set by a country outside New Zealand—that is, the United States. I think the National Government signed those conditions for the sale of the A4s when that point in time came. However, the New Zealand Government has a number of options, and I am confident that the Aermacchis and the Skyhawks will be sold.
Ron MarkCan the Minister confirm that, although in recent years we have seen the biggest purchase of military hardware in living memory, the attrition rates of those who are meant to fly, drive, and sail all this machinery are still running at around 15 percent; that despite aggressive recruitment campaigns in the last year, the navy has increased its strength by only 34, the army by 17, and the Territorial Force has declined by 150; and if he can confirm all of that detail as being contained in the annual report, can he tell the House when the Government will approve a substantial pay increase for all Defence Force personnel, equivalent to that given by this Government to nurses, teachers, and police?
Madam SPEAKERBefore the Minister answers, I just note that in supplementary questions the Minister is required to answer only one of them.
Firstly, in relation to attrition rates, of course when we have the success of this Government in halving unemployment and creating a third of a million new jobs in the New Zealand economy since December 1999, attrition rates will increase, and attrition rates are at a higher level than I am comfortable with. Notwithstanding that, of course the New Zealand Defence Force, having declined in numbers through the 1990s, is now going in the opposite direction. There have been significant increases, in the hundreds, overall in the Defence Force across all three services.
Yes, obviously in addition to the major project—Project Protector for the Navy—and the huge upgrading that is occurring in the air force, the New Zealand Army has also benefited. It has benefited now by having the state-of-the-art light operational vehicles and light armoured vehicles, but, beyond that, it has now received new medium-range anti-armour weapons. It now has a new cueing and radar-directed air defence system. Major investments will shortly be made in the general service vehicle fleet, and mortars and artillery, though that will be a couple of years off.