Australia Considering F-111 Retirement

Howard Government Crippling Australia’s Defence

(Source: Australian Labour Party issued Aug. 6, 2003)

Labor demands that the Minister for Defence rule out crazy options that would critically undermine Australia’s defence capability.

The Government is currently considering plans to scrap the F111s without a replacement, mothball submarines and retire frigates early. All of these options will significantly reduce our defence capability.

The Howard Government’s mismanagement of the Defence portfolio is now threatening our capability to defend the nation.

The Howard Government is desperately looking for savings in Defence to cover the $5.1 billion blowout in equipment projects that has occurred through its bungled management of the portfolio.

The Government is now attempting to soften up Australians for massive cuts to defence capability. These cuts are the direct result of the Government’s failure to manage Defence.

The scrapping of the F111s without any plans to replace their vital long-range strike capability will see Australia lose a major deterrent against attack.

The plan to mothball two submarines would cripple the fleet, which provides Australia a vital strategic edge within the region. With only four submarines in service, the RAN would only be able to deploy one or two submarines at any one time.

Retiring the Guided Missile Frigates (FFGs) early when the Government has spent over $800 million in the last three years on a major upgrade project for the fleet would see that money wasted and Naval capability significantly diminished. The FFG Frigates played an active and critical role in recent deployments to the Gulf.

The Minister for Defence’s bungled implementation of defence industry policy has led to a delay in the delivery of the next generation of warships, postponed a decision on the replacement patrol boats, and left the future of the Submarine Corporation in doubt.