Defence Force morale at an all-time low

Defence Force morale has plummeted to an all-time low under the National-led Government and we are now seeing the highest ever number of personnel indicating they’re planning to quit, says Labour’s Defence Spokesperson Iain Lees-Galloway.

“This Government is driving our Defence Force into the ground. The Navy attrition rate is now at 22.3%, a figure even the Minister admits is unsustainable.

“An internal survey also shows that morale among our troops is dropping through the floor. That’s not surprising given confirmation that the four-year wage freeze is expected to continue.

“This is not a picture of a happy Defence Force that is engaged and enthusiastic about their jobs and protecting our country. The low morale is clearly the result of the Government’s mishandling of the civilianisation project and on-going cuts to the defence budget.

“Those cuts are not only affecting the way defence force personnel feel about their work. They’re also having an impact on our ability to deploy frontline elements, for example two Inshore Patrol Vessels are tied up because there are not enough people to crew them.

“Labour backs our Defence personnel. In Government, Labour brought equipment into the 21st century and adjusted pay rates to make them fairer. Labour believes people who serve our nation should be recognised for the sacrifices they make, not told to ‘get over their job-for-life attitude,’ as Jonathon Coleman did.

“New Zealanders will be extremely concerned about the dire state of our Defence Force. It is an agency that is critical to our security and we cannot afford to see it run-down by a Government that is not acting in our best interests,” said Iain Lees-Galloway.