New minister to oversee all major defence equipment purchases

11 Jun 2009

Source: The Australian, 8 June 2009.

The elevation of Greg Combet into Kevin Rudd's ministerial line-up means Australia's defence industry will have its first dedicated minister in the past 25 years.

Mr Combet, 51, will become Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, giving him a more powerful role than his predecessor, Warren Snowdon.

Taking over responsibility for the Defence Materiel Organisation and its $100 billion capital equipment budget, means he will play a pivotal role in the implementation of the government's new defence white paper.

Crucially, Mr Combet will oversee all major defence equipment purchases, including a decision on the acquisition of up to 100 joint strike fighters at a cost of about $16bn. He comes well-equipped to do the job, having served until last February as parliamentary secretary for defence procurement.

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