Fed: Counter-terrorism boost more spin than substance: Evans
By Liza Kappelle
PERTH, Dec 20 AAP - A federal government announcement of an increase in Australia'scounter-terrorism capability was more rhetoric than reality, the opposition said today.
Prime Minister John Howard said yesterday Defence special forces would be expandedwith an extra 300 commandos to boost the national ability to combat terrorism.
Mr Howard also pledged to expedite a purchase of troop-carrier helicopters and givearmy reservists extra training in case of domestic terrorism incidents.
Opposition defence spokesman Chris Evans told reporters in Perth today it was likelyto be some years before special forces numbers actually increased.
"Yesterday's announcement by the prime minister was more about rhetoric than reality,"
Senator Evans said.
"What we will get in about three or four years time is 300 more troops taken from otherunits of the Australian Defence Force and put in a special forces role.
"But we haven't got a lot of extra capability and the capability won't protect Australiansfrom terrorist attacks."
Senator Evans said the government must explain funding and where the personnel will come from.
He was concerned that funding for other ADF units may be depleted to boost the specialforces, and that standards may be dropped to fill the elite ranks.
"One of the things we want to make sure is that any extra special forces troops areof the same quality," he said.
Senator Evans said he wanted more detail about the plan to train reserves for domesticterrorism situations.
"I'm very concerned about any suggestion that the ADF reserves be called upon to dopolicing roles."
"That is not an army role ... we had that discussion in the lead-up to the Sydney Olympics... and the parliament made very clear the grounds on which we would alow the Army tobe called out."
Combating terrorism relied on more than just additional troops and helicopters, the senator said.
"The reality, of course, about combating terrorism, is you rely on intelligence work,on police work, and a whole range of other resources other than troop numbers."
AAP lk/sd/cjh/de
KEYWORD: COMMANDO EVANS
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