Australian Army has run out of money to pay salaries for Reservists until July
Monday, 11 April 2016
The article below was in yesterday's Sunday Mail in Queensland - it contains quotes from the ADF confirming the story.
The ADF has run out of money for reserve soldiers salaries.
Salaries are predictable costs. The Army must know how many people it has, how many days it expects them to work, the daily rate of pay - just add a calculator and there's your budget.
How can a nation's Army run out of money to pay for its full complement of soldiers?
Defence Force tells Army reserves they won’t be paid
HUNDREDS of Army reservists have been told they will not be paid for the rest of the financial year.
Reservists told The Sunday Mail that they were last week advised not to turn up for regular sessions until July because there was no money.
It is understood the move affects the entire force of more than 1000 reserve soldiers with the 11th Brigade, which has units at nearly 30 locations around Queensland.
An Australian Defence Force spokesman yesterday said: “The majority of regular Tuesday parade nights will continue. However, commencing this week some activities will be temporarily reduced, rescheduled or cancelled at the Brisbane-based 11th Brigade until 30 June 2016.
“They are very upset. It came without warning so they have no chance to make other arrangements.’’
The ADF spokesman said members of the 11th Brigade would continue to support formally requested ceremonial activities on Anzac Day, including at regional locations.
But reservists said they would be doing so on a voluntary basis.
The 11th Brigade celebrates the anniversary of its formation this year.