Mr. Neil Richardson:

Ultimately, the individual reservist decides what his or her availability is. Reservists have to apply to undertake military activity. It is not the case that they are simply allowed to constantly turn up as often or as seldom as they want. Some reservists have limited availability to engage. They might only have two weeks a year, as Senator Craughwell referred to earlier, or they may be in a position due to personal circumstances, whatever those happen to be, to be available for up to 50 days or perhaps even more. They apply to do this through various unit commands and receive approval in advance of undertaking those activities. It is not a case of going in every day and saying, “I am here now. Pay me”. This has to be approved in advance, and there is a control at a certain level. The actual number of days that a reservist applies or volunteers for is down to the his or her availability.