(1) Further to the answer to question No. 766 (Hansard, 21 September 1999, page 7690), how many of the reservists recruited in 1998-99 for the (a) Navy, (b) Army and (c) Air Force were personnel transferring to the Reserves from the permanent forces.

(2) Since March 1996 has the Australian Defence Force conducted market research on (a) reservists and potential reservists and (b) employers, on the difficulties of combining reserve service with civilian employment; if so, who conducted the research and what were the main findings.

(3) If the Government has not conducted recent market research, what information sources does it rely on in order to develop suitable recruitment and retention measures.

(1) (a) Navy - General Reserve: 30

Standby Reserve: 857

(b) Army - Active Reserve: 307

Inactive Reserve: 360

Army Individual Emergency Force: 202

(c) Air Force - Active Reserve: 265

General Reserve: 1007

NOTE 1: These transfer figures are in addition to the enlistment figures shown in the response to Question No. 766.

NOTE 2: The Navy Standby Reserve, Army Inactive Reserve and the Air Force General Reserve consist of a pool of former permanent force or Active Reserve members who have indicated a willingness to make themselves available for service or call out. They do not have an annual training commitment. Members of the Army Individual Emergency Force are required to parade only once annually.

(2) (a) Yes, for Army Reserve and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Reserve.

(b) Yes, for Army Reserve.

New Focus Research Pty Ltd conducted the market research for Army and presented its findings in May 1997 in a report titled, “Report on Research into the Army's Common Induction Training (CIT) Program”. The major finding of this report was that both employers and potential applicants had difficulty with the requirement for Active Reserve Recruits to fulfil an initial 45-day period of continuous training. The research for the RAAF was conducted by Wing Commander Sheldon Kimber and focused on the Ground Defence Reserve Group. The report found that incentives offered under the present Ground Defence Reserve Group conditions of service were inadequate. Market research has not been conducted for the Navy Reserve recruitment because of the small targets required.