The Senate has urged the federal government to review and improve pay and allowances for members of the armed forces, arguing that better remuneration is key to boosting morale, retaining skilled personnel and sustaining operational readiness. Senators stressed that competitive compensation would support families of service members and reduce economic pressures that can hamper focus on security duties.
The appeal followed presentations highlighting recruitment challenges, welfare gaps and the physical demands placed on troops nationwide. Lawmakers called for an urgent review of pay scales, housing allowances and medical benefits, and recommended a formal review committee involving defence authorities and the Ministry of Finance.
Officials signalled readiness to prioritise any budgetary allocations necessary to uplift soldiers’ welfare and called for an integrated approach that also addresses training, equipment and troop rotation to improve overall force effectiveness.
