23 Mar 2010

Ex-Telecom boss to look at Defence spending

8:31 pm on 23 March 2010

Former Telecom chief executive Roderick Deane has been named to head up the Government's Value For Money review of Defence spending.

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp says the sector is facing significant cost pressures in coming years, and the Government will need to shift spending from the back office to the front line.

Dr Mapp says the Value For Money review will examine cost pressures within the Defence Force and identify efficiencies and options to improve cost effectiveness.

The completion of the Government's broader review of defence policy, the Defence White Paper, has been delayed until the end of September to accommodate the review.