Pm Says Stuff-ups Must Be Disclosed To Minister
The Age
Friday July 7, 2006
THE Prime Minister has demanded a senior defence official brief him about any problems with the supply and quality of clothing and equipment used by the nation's troops.
The request came after The Age revealed earlier this week that Defence Materiel Organisation chief executive Stephen Gumley had told a closed industry briefing about "stuff-ups" inside his own organisation and his own failure to make changes. John Howard told ABC radio yesterday that while he had confidence in the quality of soldiers' clothing and protective gear, he expected Dr Gumley to brief him on any concerns. "If Mr Gumley has a problem well I would expect Mr Gumley to communicate it to the Defence Minister and to communicate to me and to communicate it to the members of the National Security Committee of cabinet before communicating it to anybody else."Mr Howard said senior and junior soldiers had never informed him directly of any concerns with their gear."All I am saying is that my experience when talking to men and women in the field is contrary to this snippet of what he (Dr Gumley) said," he said."Now I want to get the full story and the only thing I'd say is I'd like the Government to have the full story." -- NICK McKENZIE
© 2006 The Age