Defence Reserves Support Council to be abolished

The existing Defence Reserves Support Council (DRSC), which has provided strong support to employers and reservists for the past 42 years, will be dissolved at the end of 2019.

FILE PHOTO: Defence Reserves Support Council – disbanded after 42 years. Photo by Able Seaman Chantell Bianchi.

A new advisory body will be established to enhance Australian Defence Force capability to provide better links to industry and employers, as well as advice and recommendations to the Chief of the Defence Force.

Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester said Defence recognised the changing approach to the part-time and shared workforce and was adapting to these changes.

“To achieve its mission to defend Australia and its national interests, the ADF relies on a 90,000-strong workforce,” Mr Chester said.

“Because of the work of organisations such as the DRSC, reservists are now an integral part of the ADF’s capability.

“[Through the new advisory body] Defence will be able to build stronger relationships with reservists and their employers by allowing them to directly communicate with Defence through effective and targeted engagement.”

Mr Chester said Defence’s commitment to supporting reservists and their employers remained unchanged.

“This new approach will be fit for purpose and aims to deliver the best capability from this valued and flexible shared workforce.

“The new model will emphasise the importance of the relationship with reservists and their employers, providing a consistent approach to people capability and the important role reservists play in Defence’s total workforce model.

“The work of DRSC members over the last 42 years has created a solid and positive relationship with Australian industry and Defence will continue building upon that good work,” Mr Chester said.

“I would like to thank all members of the DRSC, past and present and those Australians who have lent their support as patrons and ambassadors.

“We are grateful for your support.”

 

EDITOR’S THOUGHT: If the Defence Reserves Support Council has done such great work over 42 years – and put working systems and valuable people-to-people networks in place – why is it being wound up at such short notice, and before its replacement has been publicly defined?

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