Defence gets force-fed a dose of reality from audit commission

Defence got a dose of reality from the audit commission who issued a report that basically states the department is fat and unaffordable.

Some of the things from the report.

-2 percent of GDP a fantasy (known). Stop that and look at actual threats in the next Defence white paper says the report.

This on the bloat in senior chair warmers:

Since 2000, the number of public service senior executives in Defence has grown by 63 per cent (from 103 to 168) and the number of serving star-ranked officers by 58 per cent (from 120 to 190).

Since 1996 the number of “three star’’ officers (Lieutenant General equivalents) had gone from four to seven and the number of deputy secretaries had jumped from four to 14.

They should be cut significantly, the audit commission said.

It also calls for the unfunded Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme to be closed to new members and replaced by an accumulation scheme for new ADF members.

-DMO should be reintegrated into the Defence Department (great move).

-The Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC) should be privatized (also good--earn their keep).

Don't forget also the number of civilians in general in the department that need to go away.

Not mentioned in this news piece: significant efficiency can be gained from ditching dud weapon's systems (plenty there).