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Modernisation


photographIn early 2001, Federal Parliament passed key legislation to enhance and modernise the Reserve. This legislation affects both Reservists and their employers, and has resulted in significant changes to Reserve conditions of employment.

The Defence Legislation Amendment (Enhancement of the Reserves and Modernisation) Act 2001 and the Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act 2001 addressed five key areas:
  • Extending options available to the Government for calling out Reservists.
  • Providing an overhaul and modernisation of the organisation and structure of the Reserve force.
  • Paying compensation to employers who release their employees for Reserve service.
  • Providing a modern, streamlined code of protection for employers, Reservists (including the self-employed) and students.
  • Enhancing conditions of service for Reservists and providing support initiatives to employers and self-employed Reservists.
The legislation followed the release of a package of Government initiatives in 2000, designed to enhance the Reserve force. The package provided civil accreditation of Reserve military training and a survey of Reservists designed to help formulate Reserve policy, and enhanced the Defence Reserves Support Council. Previous legislation only allowed Reservists to be called out for full-time military service related to the defence of Australia and defence emergencies. It did not allow the Reserve to be activated for operations such as disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, and peacekeeping or peace enforcement.

With the Reserve accounting for a significant part of the total Defence Force capability, a change was needed in the way Reservists could be employed. Although Reservists have always been able to volunteer for full-time service, there was no protection of their jobs except in cases of individual agreements with employers. There was also no protection or incentive for employers who released staff for full-time military service. Potentially, employers faced a loss of earnings from the absence of key employees or additional costs in employing temporary staff. In addressing these issues, the 2001 legislation made major inroads into the modernisation of the Reserve.