Chairperson, hon Ministers and hon members, from reading the daily newspapers and the department's annual report we are deeply concerned about whether our Defence Force is in a state of readiness. Whilst we welcome this Bill, it should be noted, however, that it will not produce the desired results if government does not view military security as one of its priorities.
It would be prudent for the Department of Defence and Military Veterans to immediately produce a new Defence Force review, which would enable government to determine where Defence fits in in terms of national priorities. This is necessary since the previous review is 12 years old, and does not take into account the Defence Force's mandate to participate in peacekeeping missions nor its renewed border-patrol duties.
It should be clear to everybody that by approving this Bill, we are endorsing a general practice all over the world, namely, that a Defence Force is a unique service requiring a special human resources legal framework. The provisions in this Bill for the appointment of a permanent Defence Force Service Commission is intended to ensure that this special legal framework is properly managed.
The success of this Bill will largely depend on the readiness and willingness of the Defence Force leadership. There also needs to be closer co-ordination between the Department of Defence and Military Veterans and the Department of International Affairs, to ensure that the Defence Force is not committed to duties for which it has no budget, training or equipment.
Finally, one of the long-term human resource factors that needs consideration is the career prospects of soldiers. What is being done to provide soldiers with the skills that will help them find employment once they retire from the Defence Force? We hope that this Bill will make it easier and quicker to address the grievances of soldiers as well. The UDM supports the Bill. I thank you. [Applause.]