ADF set for major re-structure as Richard Marles plans dump top defence chiefs due to mounting budget constraints
The reforms, dubbed the 'everything's on the table' re-model could encompass the dumping of the ADF'S upper echelons and top brass.
These include up to 25 star-ranked ADF commanders according to The Australian, in addition to 20–40 senior officers as costs begin to blowout for numerous defence projects including new frigates and long-range missile systems.
The government is also mulling fusing multiple departments together, with the expansive and underachieving Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group set to be merged with the Guided Weapons Explosive Ordnance Enterprise and the Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Groups.
Mr Marles first touted the restructure last month and said the ADF needed to be 'fit for purpose' with the reforms now reportedly taking shape.
The Deputy Prime Minister said at The Australian's Defending Australia Summit in June that his department needed to drastically improve its performance and that the reforms would be widespread in scope.
'Delivery is fundamental to what we must achieve,' he said.
'In ensuring that it is fit for purpose, I say today that everything's on the table, including bureaucratic reform of the Department of Defence, of the Australian Defence Force and of defence agencies.'
The cutting of senior defence positions and department bosses is believed to be achieved through a mixture of attrition and severance packages.
A 2023 paper investigating the ADF's hierarchy revealed that Australia's armed forces were one of the most top heavy and bloated militaries in the world, and that accordingly combat readiness had been jeopardised.
Internal sources within Defence told The Australian that the department was looking at shrinking at least 10 per cent of the ADF's star-ranked corps, and that larger cuts were being discussed for top department executives.
The sources reiterated the move was aimed at consolidating the chain of command and modernising the ADF's functionality compared with other regional and international militaries.
Mr Marles has apparently become irate with his department's ability to transform the ADF into a more modern, integrated and potent force that is capable of projecting power over long distances.
The growing rift between the Defence Minister and the ADF was exposed when it was revealed the Albanese government had failed to receive formal military readiness reports from the Department of Defence for more than two years according to a report from the Auditor General.
The Albanese government continues to resist calls to boost the defence budget from 2 to 3.5 per cent and is grappling with intensifying delays on defence projects with Defence Force chief David Johnson stating in early June that the department was 'fully expending' its budget.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
18 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Albo's awkward sweet-tooth moment
Anthony Albanese has delighted crowds at the Ekka on the public show holiday, enjoying snaps and following the pollie tradition of awkwardly tucking into the food staples. The Prime Minister touched down at the landmark Brisbane agricultural show on Wednesday and quickly set about mingling with show attendees while flanked by photographers and his press team. Mr Albanese spent some time sampling the Ekka's delicacies – from Queensland-made honey to luscious bananas – and even tucked into a famous strawberry sundae as photographers captured the unflattering moment. In the tradition of politicians being snapped awkwardly chowing down on food, Anthony Albanese was captured tucking into a strawberry sundae while visiting the Ekka. Dan Peled / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Albanese delighted crowds at the show on Wednesday. Dan Peled / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia He sampled many of the show's iconic staples – from bananas to Queensland-made honey – along with the ionic sundae. Dan Peled / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia But unlike in 2023 – when awkward snaps captured Mr Albanese taking a cautionary lick of the sundae's cream – he spent no time in enjoying the sweet treat. Mr Albanese's devouring of the sweet treat was a far cry from 2023 when he awkwardly licked the cream before eating the sundae. NewsWire/Tertius Pickard Credit: News Corp Australia In video captured by The Courier Mail, Mr Albanese even jokingly gestured to an ABC reporter holding her own sundae to 'put it in your gob'. He then quipped: 'I had to for the interview!' Politicians who have graced the Ekka have followed a tradition of being snapped in unflattering moments while trying to eat. Most notably, former opposition leader Peter Dutton caused a stir by tearing into a dagwood dog in 2022. Peter Dutton caused a stir when he was snapped enjoying a dagwood dog in 2022. NewsWire / Dan Peled Credit: News Corp Australia He revealed it prompted some outrageous messages. 'Most of my mates actually were pretty rapid-fire texting me like, 'WTF', but anyway, what do you do?' Mr Dutton joked on 2Day FM the following day. 'With the cameras there, I mean you can't eat it from the side because the sauce drips off and you do a Bill Shorten … so it leaves one angle and it's not a great one. 'There is no good angle, so you just accept your fate, right? But chewing from the side was definitely not an option.' … or when Malcolm Turnbull ate a pie with cutlery. Credit: The Advertiser Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie was snapped in a similar position with a dagwood dog but took it on the chin – even taking it tongue-in-cheek by making prints of her eating the show staple. Even outside of the show, politicians have always looked awkward trying to dine. Tony Abbott was infamously captured biting into a raw onion, Bill Shorten almost forgot how to eat a sausage and roll as he tried to tackle it sideways, while Malcolm Turnbull ate a meat pie with a knife and fork. Jacqui Lambie was a good sport. Credit: Supplied
Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Sky News AU
‘Time to admit you got it wrong': Hamas ‘cheer on' Albanese's foreign policy
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley discusses Hamas praising the Albanese government's decision to recognise a Palestinian state. 'Australians all want the Israeli hostages released, Gazans to be fed and the war to end,' Ms Ley said. 'It is quite clear that the prime minister is completely out of his depth; we have one of the co-founders of Hamas, a listed terrorist organisation, praising our prime minister today. 'If you've got a listed terrorist organisation cheering on your foreign policy, it might be time to admit that you got it wrong.'
AU Financial Review
an hour ago
- AU Financial Review
PM, Chalmers dismiss call for four-day week, pledge lower taxes
The Albanese government has dismissed an ACTU call for workers to have shorter hours, including a four-day work week, saying it has no intention of making industrial relations changes this term beyond those promised during the election campaign. While business groups rounded on the proposal as a populist, anti-productivity thought bubble, they also questioned why the Australian Council of Trade Unions was able to put workplace relations on the agenda at next week's Economic Reform Roundtable when the government had explicitly ruled the topic off limits.
