Prime Minister Ignores the Facts on Bradfield Cadet Cutbacks

‘Yesterday’s answer by the Prime Minister to my Question in Question Time about the impact of army cadet cutbacks in Bradfield is at odds with the facts’, Member for Bradfield Paul Fletcher said today.

‘In her response to my Question the Prime Minister sought to suggest that I did not have the facts.

‘That is not right. The facts are clear from an internal Defence Department memo and a media release from the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence.

‘It is a fact that the media release from the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence states “the maximum day limit for CFA for Army Cadet Instructors [has decreased] from 48 to 33.5 days per year”. It is a fact that Air Force and Navy Cadet Units will be amalgamated. And it is a fact that Army cadets will lose out on attending camps, leadership activities and even ration packs,’ Mr Fletcher said.

 ‘The issues were first raised with me by Jack Dalton, a Turramurra High student who is a cadet from the 226 ACU Normanhurst Unit. Jack wrote to me with his concerns that “If these budget cuts go ahead, Cadets around Australia will face cuts to their activities like live shooting and general training”.

‘Talking to local cadet unit leaders, I have heard about the practical difficulties these cuts will cause, including reduced financial support for cadet camps (meaning parents will have to pay more), and many fewer places on adventure training courses’, Mr Fletcher said.

The Prime Minister’s response in Question Time cannot disguise the facts: funding to Army Cadet Units in Bradfield and around Australia is being cut.