MARK DODD
The size of the the Australian army is about right and the Gillard government would be well advised not to take any steps towards reducing overall troop strength, Chief of Army Lieutenant-General David Morrison has warned.
While not referring directly to the government, Lieutenant-General Morrison's comments to an Australian Strategic Policy Institute dinner last night made clear his strong views on potential budget cuts.
He said the 30,000-strong regular army, supported by 17,000 reservists and 1000 civilian support staff, was about right to serve a country like Australia with a population of 22 million and an annual gross domestic product approaching $1 trillion.
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