DEFENCE NEEDS FULL TIME MINISTER – NOT A LABOR SPIN DOCTOR
20-May-2010
The news a $100 million maintenance contract has gone to a US based company is a kick in the teeth for the hundreds of workers at the Bandiana 4 Base Workshop. What about their Rights At Work?
“This is just another pointless exercise at penny pinching from a cash strapped government, that could compromise the safety and security of our troops. Because they have mismanaged tens of billions of dollars on programs like home insulation, the schools building scheme and the like, our troops are paying the price,” Member for Indi Sophie Mirabella said.
“Only recently, it was revealed that troops are continuing to complain about their equipment, including protective jackets, webbing and boots, which haven’t been addressed.
“And of course, who could forget the minister’s arrogance in allowing a defence contract to source camouflage fabric from China instead of a local Australian company.
“This government either doesn’t understand or doesn’t care about the strategic importance of defence procurement.
“The second problem is that the Minister for Defence Procurement is at best a part time minister.
“The Labor Party gave Mr Combet defence procurement, but was given the extra jobs of mopping up the home insulation debacle and spinning the ETS failure – this is where all his time is being spent.
“The minister should focus on the billions of dollars of defence procurement and respect the strategic importance of our defence industries, regional development and the safety of our troops in stead of being a failed hero, trying to save the government from bad publicity,” Mrs Mirabella said.
“If I were a betting woman, I would say there are several other significant scandalous problems regarding defence contracts that will come to light over the coming weeks and months.
“I have a message for Mr Combet – your defence portfolio cannot come second to saving the Labor Party from itself and you cannot hide forever from your neglect and indifference of important defence contracts. The spin cycle is over.”
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