This weekend’s Reserve Forces Day is a timely reminder of the importance of Reservists in the security of our nation, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Senator Sandy Macdonald said today. “There are currently around 21,000 Active Reservists who provide both supplementary and complementary capabilities to the full-time Australian Defence Force (ADF) members,” Senator Macdonald said. “There are also currently more than 1,100 reservists on continuous full-time service in Australia and overseas, filling specialists positions abroad as well as carrying out tasks at home that were previously performed by Regular personnel who have deployed overseas.

“Reservists have made a voluntary commitment to train and serve alongside regular Defence Force personnel and have provided a valuable contribution to peace-keeping and humanitarian efforts both at home and overseas,” he said. “In recent years, our Reservists have provided support to humanitarian efforts in Rwanda, Indonesia and Pakistan. Reservists have also deployed to East Timor, Solomon Islands and Malaysia. “Reservists also assist within Australia as part of the ADF’s commitment to natural disaster relief,” Senator Macdonald said.

Reserve Forces Day parades and functions will be held in capital cities and major regional centres throughout Australia in recognition of the service that current and former reservists have given. In recognition to the value reservists add to the ADF, the Australian Government has committed to spend an additional $181 million over the next four years to improve pay and conditions for part-time Navy, Army and Air Force personnel.