The Morrison LNP Government is investing more than $1 billion to upgrade 73 Australian Defence Force (ADF) Reserve and Cadet facilities across Australia over the next 10 years.

The investment includes $53 million in infrastructure upgrades to 18 cadet facilities, including in rural and remote communities over the next year.

It will support the growth of the ADF Cadets by 10 per cent over the next year and is just one component of a number of initiatives being implemented to enhance the cadet program.

The defence will increase numbers in existing cadet units and create new units to complement broader Government initiatives supporting youth development and skilling. Cadets learn leadership, team building and survival skills.

In addition to the more traditional skills developed through the program, future cadets will also be engaged in STEM-focused activities, including cyber security, virtual reality simulation, robotics and flight simulation. 

The program will focus on growing cadet and volunteer numbers and establishing new units in rural and remote areas, including in indigenous communities.

As a community-based youth development organisation, ADF Cadets is focused on Defence customs, traditions and values and comprises three organisations:
- Australian Navy Cadets
- Australian Army Cadets, and
- Australian Air Force Cadets.

HELP FOR AGED CARE PEAK BODIES
The Morrison Government will direct $14.8 million to key aged care groups advocating for senior Australians. 

This funding will be provided over three years to ensure the organisations can continue supporting and advocating for older people during a period of significant change and reform of the aged care system.

It will ensure the voices of senior Australians across a number of diverse communities. 

It is vital that people with dementia, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTIQ+ individuals and communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, gerontologists and associated health professionals continue to be well represented.

The aged care consumer peak bodies being funded from 1 July 2022 are:
- The Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia (FECCA)
- Dementia Australia (DA)
- National Seniors Australia (NSA)
- LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA)
- The Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG)
- COTA Australia
- The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO), acting on behalf of the National Advisory Group for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care (NAGATSIAC).

Funding will also support the establishment of a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ageing and Aged Care Council (NATSIACC) to formalise the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in aged care.

If my office can assist with any issue, please contact: scott.buchholz.mp@aph.gov.au PO Box 628, Beaudesert, QLD 4285 PH: (07) 5541 0150