Fed: New directorate within Defence for services cadets

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2000
Fed: New directorate within Defence for services cadets

By Denis Peters

CANBERRA, Dec 8 AAP - The federal government today spelt out a much expanded future
for the Australian Services Cadets Scheme (ACSC) with the benefit of its $30 million Budget
war chest.

A services cadets directorate is to be established within the Defence Department and
an expert team appointed to chart the future direction of cadets.

Greater inclusion of indigenous and ethnic Australians and wider expansion into regional
areas would be sought, along with the attraction of corporate sponsorship.

The announcements, made by defence parliamentary secretary Eric Abetz, followed a year-long
review into the ACSC.

Cadet units had struggled to survive in the past, he said.

"Cadets were neglected and the true potential was not recognised and therefore not
harnessed," Senator Abetz said.

"We are determined to enhance and develop the cadets as a meaningful and positive force
for Australia's youth."

Army Major-General Darryl Low Choy has been appointed the new director-general of cadets.

Air-Vice Marshall Bob Richardson and review chairman John Topley will comprise the
review team for the next three years.

Senator Abetz said initiatives were already underway, such as government departments
investigating options for formally recognising aspects of cadet training.

Mr Topley said the Australian Defence Force had much success recently in attracting
indigenous members but it was still looking to improve its ethnic membership.

He said the target would be to double the current 25,000 cadets in Australia but also
to extend the average length of time they stayed in the cadets.

Major-General Low Choy said expansion of the services cadets should occur to reflect
the national make-up.

"It's not a question so much of how many, it's a question of being representative."

Corporate support would largely be along the lines of sponsorship to allow individuals
to travel both in Australia and internationally.

He did not envisage expansion of the use of weapons by teenage cadets.

"Right now the cadets do carry weapons on parades and they do fire in safe circumstances.

It's a matter of continuing that," he said.

AAP dep/daw/cjh

KEYWORD: CADETS

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