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Recent media reports have alleged that the duo will be paid almost $800,000 to carry out the review announced by the Albanese government in August.
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Led by former chief of the defence force, Air Chief Marshal (Ret’) Sir Angus Houston, and former Labor defence minister Stephen Smith, the review aims to “identify and prioritise” the estate, infrastructure, disposition, logistics and security investments required to “provide Australia with the Defence force posture required by 2032-33”.
The report has been touted as the largest assessment of the Australian Defence Force’s structure, force posture and preparedness in 35 years.
However, recent media reports published by The Guardian have alleged that Sir Angus Houston is expected to be paid $470,000 while former defence minister Stephen Smith is expected to receive $306,496.
It was revealed in September that Smith would shortly take up the role of High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
Nevertheless, the Prime Minister’s announcement of former defence minister Smith’s role within the review has divided commentators.
The Australian Defence Association (ADA) took to Twitter following the announcement to question the appointment.
“As puzzling as it is grimly ironic,” a tweet from the ADA read.
“Smith widely rated as in 5-worst Defence Ministers since early 60s.”
The appointment also prompted questions from the opposition, attacking the former minister’s legacy during his time in the role.
The shadow assistant minister for defence Phillip Thompson raised his concerns about the appointment of Smith to oversee the review.
“We’re in a period of uncertainty the likes of which we’ve not seen for a long time, and the last thing we need is a repeat of the cuts we saw under Labor during Stephen Smith’s period as defence minister,” Thompson said.
“It was then we saw Defence spending as a percentage of GDP drop to 1.6 per cent in 2013, which the Coalition then managed to recover to 2.1 per cent in 2020.
“The review is being run by the very person who gutted the Defence budget, something which was felt in a very real way by serving men and women and was a huge hit to our capability.
“It’s not a bad thing to take stock and ensure that our structure and posture are appropriate for the times in which we operate — but I, and those who serve our nation, would like to see a guarantee that this review will not lead to any spending cuts or program delays.
“I’ve already spoken to diggers, warrant officers and senior commissioned officers, some who were around during the years Stephen Smith was defence minister — they’ve asked me whether this review will mean cuts to equipment, or maybe even if their jobs could be on the line.”
