So 3 RAR is now moving to Townsville, giving a 3rd infantry battalion to the city! This will increase employment and deliver flow on effects to the local economy, a welcome plus for North Queensland. 8/9 RAR will be re-raised in Brisbane, allowing 7 Brigade to become more than the toothless tiger it has become. 5/7 RAR will be split, with 7 RAR remaining in Darwin, and 5 RAR moving to Adelaide - again increasing employment and delivering flow on effects to the SA economy (much needed given its manufacturing sector woes).
This decision allows the ADF, and the Army in particular, to contribute to the many international security situations that arise, as well as having the ability to respond at short notice to situations in our own region. For too long the Army has been held back due to the percieved need to keep something in reserve for the region. Timor and the Solomon Islands type conflicts require a short term Army presence before a handover to the Australian Federal Police. The Army should not be kept in 'the garage' for low level conflict such as this. As the defence minister said, Australia is a country that likes to play its part in the world - not sit back in our own backyard and shirk responsibility. Australia is affected by international events far from our shores, so we should be prepared to contribute to international security - it is after all, in our best interests.
The Army will be able to maintain the current tempo ( even at its highest, with Iraq, Timor and Afghanistan occuring at once ) easily with this increase to manning. Our Army is becoming combat experienced, and all the more better for it. Australia is playing its part in international security and should continue to do so. I cringe at the thought of returning to a 'defence of mainland Australia' attitude that was so prevelant under the Labor governments.
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