NZ Military to get 10% Pay Rise in 2008

[flyjoe180]

Defence Force personnel will get a 10 per cent pay rise this year, Defence Minister Phil Goff said.


Speaking on the Agenda programme, Mr Goff said that understaffing in the military meant personnel numbers had to rise, but this would be difficult when unemployment was at historical lows and there was great demand for skilled workers.

"We've got a remuneration review that we've now published to members of the Defence Force," Mr Goff said.

"We're hoping to get an average pay rise across the Defence Force by about 10 per cent this year which will help with our recruitment and our retention programme."

The military's super scheme had also been revamped to make it more attractive.

A recent parliamentary select committee said that five land combat support units were staffed at less than 80 per cent and the military intelligence company staffing was down to 41 per cent.

Mr Goff said it was a difficult recruiting environment but military personnel were up by 836 over four years ago.

Some have criticised New Zealand's overall defence spending as too low at 1 per cent of GDP, but Mr Goff said he was comfortable with that figure.

The Government had put in $3.3 billion over 10 years to fund the long term development of the forces and $4.4 billion on the defence sustainability initiative.

This had led to new equipment and more personnel.

- NZPA

www.stuff.co.nz/4498703a11.html

[FlyNavy]

"Some have criticised New Zealand's overall defence spending as too low at 1 per cent of GDP, but Mr Goff said he was comfortable with that figure." Is he serious?

[Kenny]

Hahhhhhhhh... The Wonders Of Election Year....

[phil82]

Is he serious? Unfortunately,yes. He and Helen are former professional protesters going back to the Skyhawk purchase days, besides, the more money they spend on Defence, the less they'll have for bnibes in this, election, year

[30sqnatc]

Apr 28, 2008 11:42:25 GMT 12 Kenny said:

Hahhhhhhhh... The Wonders Of Election Year....

Sorry government can't claim responsibility . This is totally an internal NZDF initiative.

Paul

[vgp]

Herald article on this:

Defence personnel receive 10 percent pay rise
New 4:20PM Monday April 28, 2008

A 10 per cent pay rise for Defence Force personnel will help to recruit new staff as well as retaining existing employees, Defence Force personnel director Brigadier Mark Wheeler says.

Defence Minister Phil Goff announced the pay increase yesterday.

He said under-staffing in the military meant personnel numbers had to rise, but this would be difficult when unemployment was at historical lows and there was high demand for skilled workers.

Brig Wheeler said under the new strategy everybody across the three services and the reserve forces would be better off.

"It is no secret the New Zealand Defence Force has specific challenges regarding recruiting and retaining personnel with specialist skills ," Brig Wheeler said.

"This strategy will introduce a more effective and fairer military remuneration system that supports recruitment and retention initiatives.

"As a result of this work it is expected that pay in the longer term will no longer be a key reason for people to leave the services."


Brig Wheeler said it was not an across the board pay rise, rather it was about "transforming the remuneration system in order to retain and grow our personnel in a very competitive employment market".

The cost to implement the pay increase was about $60 million.

A parliamentary select committee recently reported that five land combat support units were staffed at less than 80 per cent and the military intelligence company staffing was down to 41 per cent.

The Government had put in $3.3 billion over 10 years to fund the long term development of the forces and $4.4 billion on the defence sustainability initiative.

- NZPA
www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10506713

[sniff]

Humpffff......

"up to 10%" would be more accurate thread, IMHO!

"We're hoping to get an average pay rise across the Defence Force by about 10 per cent this year which will help with our recruitment and our retention programme."

"Brig Wheeler said it was not an across the board pay rise"

[lesterpk]

Yep, in my case thanks to the give with one hand while taking with the other, I end up losing $46 a week in working for families payments, not happy.

[sniff]

Lester, you will have to convince the missus that one more nipper is essential to maintaining your standard of living!

[beagle]

Pretty sre the last time I saw you les, you had none, you been a busy boy since I left. Come out into the real world and do 60 hour plus weeks, no time for that sort of stuff.
Whats that now for a 06 sgt, almost 60k

[lesterpk]

Tell the Missus that Sniff. She's the one been badgering me for 7 years for 'just one more' , so number 3 came out just before Xmas, any more and I need a bigger car!

Beags - try $54 for an 04 Sgt, plus soon to be $5200 accommodation supplement plus whatever the pay rise might be, which for me will be f all as I'm already getting the best superannuation deal.
If you join up now you go onto Kiwisaver.

[sniff]

Would you like to buy a peeple mover, Lester?
I have one surplus to requirements.

[lesterpk]

Maybe, what is it and how much?

[phil]

Certainly some people will be much better off, but it look like quite a few wont.

Just as well the cost of living is so cheap. Oh hang on a minute.....

[sniff]

So I guess you are in a MQ, Phil?
The brief I went to said that you will get $1k anyway, if you are already getting the max with AFSS. If you are close to someone in admin, I believe the scales and where you will sit are out there.

[phil]

No, in my own place, but already getting max DTLS.

[sniff]

Phil, I sent you a PM, if you havn't already seen it.