Budget 09

[30sqnatc]

Defence will receive a $52M increase next year

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10575074

$15M Restoring and improving infrastructure

$10M Increasing aircraft flying and maintenance

$5M Operation and maintenance of new navy ships

$2M Improved soldier protection

$1M Improved intelligence capability

$13M Improved recruitment and retention

and $6M for other initiatives

[Dave Homewood]

That is a very good positive move, and must be the first budget increase for defence in many years isn't it?

It's good to see more going into flying hours foir the RNZAF.

What is the "soldier protection" meaning? Is that as in personal body armour? Obviously not air support, sadly.

[Bruce]

Soldier Protection = Chinese raincoats

[30sqnatc]

May 28, 2009 19:02:01 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

That is a very good positive move, and must be the first budget increase for defence in many years isn't it?

The previous government DSI programme has had increasing budgets since 2005. See ftp.defence.govt.nz/pdfs/archive-publications/dsi-questions-answers.pdf. The planned increase for next year was $108.6M so this is less then half what was planned

[Dave Homewood]

Oh, that's not so good. But then everything is getting chopped it seems so not a surprise that they take the axe to Defence spending.

[skyhawkdon]

Anything in there for the ongoing cost of maintaining the Macchis and Skyhawks?

[phil]

Doesn't the MOD pay for that?

[yak2]

Reminds me of the old politician's credo............"promise 'em everything, give 'em nothing, and before they've got it, take it off 'em"