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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 16, 2023 10:05:12 GMT 12
Tough defence budget decisions loom for new governmentStory by Anneke Smith • 1d he coalition government will have to make some tough calls on defence spending this term to help the force address staff shortages and ageing infrastructure. "These are huge, huge amounts of government spending. It's a significant proportion of the government's capital spend each year," Professor David Capie said. Capie, the director of the Centre for Strategic Studies at Victoria University, said all the navy's ships bar the Aotearoa tanker needed to be replaced by the mid-2030s. "One of the problems is successive governments have kicked the can down the road on some of these issues," he said. "To be fair the previous government made some big calls in terms of replacing the P3s with the P8s and the purchase of the new Hercules but there are just all these looming decisions that need to be made." The defence force is reporting a "reduced capacity" to provide humanitarian and disaster relief during the 2023-2024 high-risk weather season in the South Pacific. Former defence minister Andrew Little said there was a lot on the line in the coming years, including New Zealand's reputation with Pacific partners. "The reality is investment in platforms and infrastructure for our New Zealand Defence Force has been way behind what it needs to be," he said. "I think a challenge for the new government is to ensure they maintain the confidence of our serving personnel and give confidence to New Zealand that our defence capability is in good shape." Labour promised an independent Remuneration Authority - to set fair rates and allowances for those in uniform - before losing the 2023 election. Settling into her new role, Defence Minister Judith Collins said she would back the force, though it was not clear if it meant higher pay. "One of the most important things I believe I can add is to be a minister of defence that supports our defence forces and for them to know I've got their back." RNZ asked if having their back mean paying them more? "What having their back means is exactly what it's always meant. I've been someone's minister and that is always supporting them in their hour of need," Collins replied. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has dampened expectations on more defence spending, saying it would be "completely contingent" on the fiscal situation. Collins was asked about committing to 2 percent of GDP, which would bring spending levels closer to what New Zealand's allies invest. "I always think we need to be a little bit careful about making predictions or statements on that when we're going through a very tough financial crisis which we have now inherited." Little said defence spending probably needed to sit somewhere between the current 1 percent of GDP and New Zealand's allies spending of 2 percent of GDP. "Decisions about future investments in things like the future naval capability will inevitably push us further in terms of a higher percentage of GDP spent on defence. "We'll need to do that if we want to respond effectively to issues both in New Zealand and in the Pacific and wherever else we need to go offshore." Capie said tough calls would need to be made in the next two to three years as defence investments, like new frigates, took a decade to come into operation. "The challenge with the situation we've got ourselves into is you've got all of these major platforms where the obsolescence is looming at the time in which there will be ministers saying they want money for a hospital, for schools or that we should be trying to spend less." A review of what the government needs to spend to make the defence force fit for purpose is due back in September 2024. www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/tough-defence-budget-decisions-loom-for-new-government/ar-AA1lvN7K?
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Post by phil on Jan 26, 2024 15:06:12 GMT 12
Urgently need a naval helicopter replacement, and to replace two frigates with frigates, not some glorified patrol boats.
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Post by nighthawknz on Jan 27, 2024 4:14:41 GMT 12
Urgently need a naval helicopter replacement, and to replace two frigates with frigates, not some glorified patrol boats.
there are rumours floating about that the NZDF may lease some WildCats for a couple of years to see them through until the SeaSprite replacement program... but it is only rumours nothing concrete
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 27, 2024 20:51:17 GMT 12
Very strong rumours. From the people in the right places.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 28, 2024 15:55:15 GMT 12
What is Collins saying? She should be demanding more budget for NZDF.
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Post by 30sqnatc on Jan 28, 2024 17:09:46 GMT 12
And a PM who wants his business jet.
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Post by typerated on Jan 28, 2024 18:51:46 GMT 12
Defence is up for 7.5% cuts -
I'm sure there were some less than clever people who thought National might be good for defence!
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Post by typerated on Jan 28, 2024 18:54:28 GMT 12
It was the same in the UK - cuts always came with a Conservative government -
But people thought the opposite would be true! Never learned
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Post by 30sqnatc on Feb 15, 2024 18:42:15 GMT 12
Copied from the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee FB page today. The way to watch select committees online is changing and improving in 2024. From Monday 29 January, all public select committee hearings will be live-streamed to the Parliament website, instead of select committee Facebook pages. You can now view all select committee meetings on our website: bit.ly/3HxMTBi
All select committee and house updates will now be available on the New Zealand Parliament social media channels, with all select committee Facebook pages being removed in the coming months. This is the first step in bringing together our select committee and House sitting content into one easy-to-use Parliament platform, making it more accessible and seamless to watch democracy in action. We’ll share more about this as it progresses.
Today was FADC meeting staring Minister of Defence, CDF and Secetary of Defence. |
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Post by camtech on Feb 15, 2024 19:02:06 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 15, 2024 20:17:47 GMT 12
Grim!
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Post by Calum on Feb 16, 2024 11:35:55 GMT 12
At least he's being honest. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 16, 2024 16:03:10 GMT 12
Properly being honest it would read, "Defence will struggle to achieve savings without YET ANOTHER significant reduction in capability."
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Post by madmac on Feb 17, 2024 7:50:24 GMT 12
The whole thing is completely insane, 7.5% reduction in spending just for shits and giggles (because a correcting government overspend doesn't require massive tax cuts as well), although one does have to note that a significant contribute to this governments election was the multi year foreign disinformation campaigns aimed at the previous government which by extension contributed to the election of the current government.
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Post by FlyingKiwi on Feb 17, 2024 12:09:31 GMT 12
The only thing that will cause a government in NZ on any side of the political spectrum to spend significantly more on defense is a war, and by then it's too late. I'm just waiting for the army to start buying environmentally friendly electric vehicles to replace their current inventory.
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Post by McFly on Feb 17, 2024 13:03:16 GMT 12
The only thing that will cause a government in NZ on any side of the political spectrum to spend significantly more on defense is a war, and by then it's too late. I'm just waiting for the army to start buying environmentally friendly electric vehicles to replace their current inventory.
Sep 29, 2020 The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has taken a major step towards reducing its carbon footprint by purchasing its first electric vehicle (EV) and installing EV charging stations at Trentham Military Camp.
The Hyundai Ioniq will join the fleet at Trentham, where the two Delta 7kW slow charging stations are also available for personnel to charge their private EVs. It is part of the Defence Force’s wider programme towards a more sustainable operation, which fits with the Government’s drive to put more EVs on the roads. The Trentham trial will determine how many chargers might be needed and how best a booking system might work. Trentham Camp Commander, Major Jim Maguire plugs into the new charging station on camp
Defence Estate and Infrastructure Sustainability Manager Dr Lee Bint said the Trentham trial would help determine the most appropriate type of charging station. It will also guide the use of EV charging stations at other NZDF sites.
Dr Bint said the Trentham pilot was part of the Defence Force’s sustainability roadmap Tuku Iho, which means “to pass on what you’ve received in at least as good as, if not better than, what you receive it in”. “The Defence Force is one of the biggest employers and landowners in the country. As such we have huge responsibility to look after our people, buildings, land and taonga. “From electric vehicles to efficient buildings, environmental stewardship and looking after our people’s growth and embracing our bicultural heritage, we want to make sustainability part of everything we do. “We are soon to adopt a roadmap where sustainability is part of business-as-usual operations. The NZDF estate includes 81,000 hectares of land (bigger than Tongariro National Park), 5000 buildings and thousands of vehicles so we can potentially make a massive contribution to reducing the country’s carbon footprint.”
The NZDF would have to play its part in the Government’s goal of increasing the number of EVs, she said. “We need charging infrastructure if we want electric fleet vehicles.”
The NZDF is already trialling four electric utility bikes for their suitability for use in the field, and electric carts are used at a number of bases. The Royal New Zealand Air Force is also replacing diesel passenger stair units with fully electric units at air bases around the country.
Trentham Camp Commander Major Jim Maguire said a survey had shown there was good support for the charging stations. “A lot of our fleet vehicles are doing short trips around Wellington and EVs are perfect for that. “The Army is adopting new technology all the time and this trial will see how EVs can be used efficiently for our tasks while lowering our carbon footprint. “A lot of our staff are looking at buying their own EVs and having the charging stations on camp is an incentive because it offers them more flexibility about when they can charge up.”
Steve West, CEO and Founder of ChargeNet said: “We’re pleased to partner with the New Zealand Defence Force on their sustainability initiatives. It’s an absolute honour to help the brave Kiwis who protect New Zealand’s interests make the switch to electric vehicles. By installing AC chargers at Trentham Military Camp, the NZDF joins dozens of other businesses around New Zealand offering EV charging to their employees.” |
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Post by 11SQNLDR on Feb 17, 2024 15:16:36 GMT 12
The whole thing is completely insane, 7.5% reduction in spending just for shits and giggles (because a correcting government overspend doesn't require massive tax cuts as well), although one does have to note that a significant contribute to this governments election was the multi year foreign disinformation campaigns aimed at the previous government which by extension contributed to the election of the current government. What a deluded statement - cuts needed for 'shits and giggles'  And I won't even touch the weird foreign disinformation thing. Your side lost and indeed was thumped because the average Kiwi taxpayer was sick of the endless incompetence, woke hand-wringing drivel, the talentless ministers and the sickly divisive type of apartheid they were attempting to shove down peoples throats. Try educating yourself on the current financial state of play regarding the Govt's books and the mess the new lot have inherited. A 200Bn debt mountain, Govt spending up 84% over 6 years with F-all to show for it. Even the bumbling incompetent G Robertson admitted the present interest alone on the debt was $7BN a year, climbing to $10Bn per annum by next. The number is appalling and is greater than the total Defence and Police budgets combined - and that's just the interest payments!! Try running your own finances this badly & your bank manager would be calling in a mortgagee sale  But as usual the few remaining blinkered far left supporters won't accept this  Accept that the country is on the bones of its arse and sadly Defence like other Ministry's will need to trim back-end costs to shore up the front line services. 2024 /25 won't be easy years thanks to the morons in charge previously but hey, give her a Damehood and hope she never returns to our fair shores. |
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chrisr
Squadron Leader
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Post by chrisr on Feb 17, 2024 16:14:54 GMT 12
A 200Bn debt mountain, Govt spending up 84% over 6 years with F-all to show for it. Don't forget the increased tax intake due to inflation and non moving tax bands (meaning more people were paying tax at the top rates). The money to spend on defence was there, at one point, but the govt chose to spend it elsewhere. To cry foul when defence spending is cut because the country is broke seems a little disingenuous. You could get rid of the NZDF and most kiwi's wouldn't care. Cutting spending from the NZDF is like shooting fish in a barrel. Most people only think of the NZDF when some idiot gets lost in a boat and needs an aircraft to find them or to make condescending comments about boys toys. Unfortunately this country is very, very inward looking so explaining the intricacies of defence relationships with people who are fed "couldn't we spend that money on hospitals?" by the media would have the same effect talking to a wall. |
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Post by typerated on Feb 17, 2024 17:15:43 GMT 12
The whole thing is completely insane, 7.5% reduction in spending just for shits and giggles (because a correcting government overspend doesn't require massive tax cuts as well), although one does have to note that a significant contribute to this governments election was the multi year foreign disinformation campaigns aimed at the previous government which by extension contributed to the election of the current government. What a deluded statement - cuts needed for 'shits and giggles' And I won't even touch the weird foreign disinformation thing. Your side lost and indeed was thumped because the average Kiwi taxpayer was sick of the endless incompetence, woke hand-wringing drivel, the talentless ministers and the sickly divisive type of apartheid they were attempting to shove down peoples throats. Try educating yourself on the current financial state of play regarding the Govt's books and the mess the new lot have inherited. A 200Bn debt mountain, Govt spending up 84% over 6 years with F-all to show for it. Even the bumbling incompetent G Robertson admitted the present interest alone on the debt was $7BN a year, climbing to $10Bn per annum by next. The number is appalling and is greater than the total Defence and Police budgets combined - and that's just the interest payments!! Try running your own finances this badly & your bank manager would be calling in a mortgagee sale But as usual the few remaining blinkered far left supporters won't accept this Accept that the country is on the bones of its arse and sadly Defence like other Ministry's will need to trim back-end costs to shore up the front line services. 2024 /25 won't be easy years thanks to the morons in charge previously but hey, give her a Damehood and hope she never returns to our fair shores. comedy post....dream on..... |
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Post by 11SQNLDR on Feb 18, 2024 11:24:42 GMT 12
What a deluded statement - cuts needed for 'shits and giggles' And I won't even touch the weird foreign disinformation thing. Your side lost and indeed was thumped because the average Kiwi taxpayer was sick of the endless incompetence, woke hand-wringing drivel, the talentless ministers and the sickly divisive type of apartheid they were attempting to shove down peoples throats. Try educating yourself on the current financial state of play regarding the Govt's books and the mess the new lot have inherited. A 200Bn debt mountain, Govt spending up 84% over 6 years with F-all to show for it. Even the bumbling incompetent G Robertson admitted the present interest alone on the debt was $7BN a year, climbing to $10Bn per annum by next. The number is appalling and is greater than the total Defence and Police budgets combined - and that's just the interest payments!! Try running your own finances this badly & your bank manager would be calling in a mortgagee sale But as usual the few remaining blinkered far left supporters won't accept this Accept that the country is on the bones of its arse and sadly Defence like other Ministry's will need to trim back-end costs to shore up the front line services. 2024 /25 won't be easy years thanks to the morons in charge previously but hey, give her a Damehood and hope she never returns to our fair shores. comedy post....dream on..... Another deluded lefty... I suppose you still have your teddy bear up in the window that comrade clueless asked you to do?  |
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And I won't even touch the weird foreign disinformation thing. Your side lost and indeed was thumped because the average Kiwi taxpayer was sick of the endless incompetence, woke hand-wringing drivel, the talentless ministers and the sickly divisive type of apartheid they were attempting to shove down peoples throats.
