Madam Deputy Speaker and hon Minister, the ACDP welcomes the report of the interim commission and we look forward to further engaging with the specific findings and recommendations of this report.
It is, however, significant, as the hon Minister has pointed out, that this commission was intended before the ill-disciplined and unruly action of certain members when they demonstrated outside the Union Buildings. Such persons, we must emphasise, can claim no credit for today's report. We need to make that very clear. The responsibility of the national defence force must cut across party- political lines. This is clearly illustrated by the fact that members of the opposition served on the commission and we as an opposition party will also contribute as we consider the recommendations of this report. We trust that the recommendations will address the frustrations of serving members concerning benefits, and living and working conditions, and will serve to prevent the further loss of skilled personnel so that we can have a professional SA National Defence Force. I thank you.