Government rules out defence merger

By FRANCESCA MOLD political reporter

The Government has ruled out a merger of the Defence Force's military and civilian wings, despite the strong recommendations of a major new review.

Defence Minister Mark Burton yesterday released the long-awaited report on defence structures and accountabilities by former State Services Commissioner Don Hunn.

Mr Hunn recommended the creation of a single structure to replace the Defence Force (military arm) and Ministry of Defence (public service wing). He recommended an overhaul of the Defence Act (1990) and suggested a new national security agency to deal with increased terrorism concerns.

The Government yesterday ruled out all three recommendations.

Mr Burton said significant changes had already been made to create "jointness" between agencies and to better define roles and responsibilities.

The security agency was ruled out because there was already a Cabinet committee responsible for domestic security.

National MP Simon Power said the Government had shown complete arrogance by rejecting the recommendations. It had missed an opportunity to improve the effectiveness of the Defence Force.

Mr Hunn said the separation of services under the 1990 act had not worked well.

"Unless this [merger] happens, it is my assessment that there will continue to be potential for dysfunction, divisiveness and defensive behaviour and resultant unnecessary transaction cost."

New legislation was needed to created an effective defence system. If this did not happen, there was a risk of "back-sliding".

Despite attempts at co-operation, the underlying environment in many areas remained one of suspicion and contention.

Some defence public servants thought military experience was irrelevant to high policy work.

The Government said yesterday that it planned to cement initiatives to support "jointness", eliminate duplication and clarify the roles of the Secretary of Defence and Chief of Defence Force.

It would also define the roles of the Army, Navy and Air Force chiefs as being to "raise, train and maintain" their respective services.

Mr Hunn said that was more of a slogan than a clear definition of accountabilities and responsibilities.

His report follows two others which found a climate of infighting in the force, embarrassing information leaks and attempts by the Army to lobby politicians for more money at the expense of the Navy and Air Force.

Mr Burton said changes to personnel and rules surrounding access to the minister meant there was no way people could "push their individual barrows" any more.

Mr Hunn said he had not looked at whether failures were the result of individual behaviour or system weaknesses because the minister had directed his review be "forward-looking".

He began work on the review in September 2001, an interim report was ready in December, a working draft in March last year and it was completed six months ago. Opposition MPs criticised the Government for delaying the release until yesterday.

New Zealand First MP Ron Mark said the Government had deliberately delayed it so it could be "cleansed" of any reference to bitter infighting and suggestions that Labour MPs had been inappropriately involved with Army officers in the lead-up to the 1999 election.