29 June 2005
Defence Force Salary Increases Too Little, Too Late Says Mark
New Zealand First defence spokesperson Ron Mark says the government’s announcement of a pay increase for junior and
lower rank Defence Force personnel is too little, too late, especially when it plans to increase the rent on all Defence
Force houses.
“These pay rises should have been implemented at least three years ago in one substantial hit in order to stop junior
ranks from leaving our Defence Force in droves.
“This idea of drip-feeding the Defence Force with five insubstantial pay rises over six years has done nothing to
prevent us from losing valuable, experienced personnel,” said Mr Mark.
“The government should have listened to New Zealand First in 1999 when we called for the implementation of a substantial
and meaningful pay rise to ensure that the recruitment and retention of Defence Force personnel – particularly junior
ranks – could be maintained at a realistic level.
“And while the government is boasting about giving extra money to Defence Force personnel today, it seems they plan to
take it back tomorrow.
“These latest salary increases are unlikely to address the critical staffing shortfalls in the Defence Force. The
differences in pay between the Defence Force and the commercial sector are still too wide, especially when extra living
costs come into play,” said Mr Mark.
ENDS