The Department of Defence is to abolish its Council for supporting Defence Reserves, replacing it with a new advisory body.
Announced by Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel, Darren Chester, the Defence Reserves Support Council (DRSC) is to be dissolved at the end of the year after 42 years of service to employers and reservists.
Mr Chester said the move recognised the changing approach to the part-time and shared workforce.
“To achieve its mission to defend Australia and its national interests, the Australian Defence Force (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.”
He said Defence would be able to build stronger relationships with reservists and their employers by allowing them to directly communicate with Defence through effective and targeted engagement.
“Defence’s commitment to supporting reservists and their employers remains unchanged. This new approach will be fit for purpose and aims to deliver the best capability from this valued and flexible shared workforce,” the Minister said.
“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.”
He said the work of DRSC members over the last 42 years had created a solid and positive relationship with Australian industry and Defence would continue building upon that good work.
