Frank,
Correct you on which part?
Military controllers do not have a civil ATC licence. For most, it is no biggie after coming to civil ATC to get a civil licence. The RAAF are also in trouble in regards to staff (ASA have grabbed a heap). The RAAF are still required to man the bases, run their exercises,etc. If we all came under the same banner, who gets picked to head off O/S or to the Top End on deployments? If I wanted to be in the military I would have joined.
To your second part
"When I was in The Military, I was there to serve the Government of the day. Why would a Minister of The Government have to "get the Military on board" with a project within his portfolio, especially if Angus Houston has previously agreed in principle with the idea. "
That's what I would have thought too, however see Zeebees comments.