26. The Defence Act 1954 is amended—

(a) in section 19(b), by the substitution of “section 53, 53A or 54” for “section 53 or 54”,

(b) by the insertion of the following section after section 53:

“Re-enlistment of formerly enlisted persons

53A. (1) A person who was formerly enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force—

(a) who has served the full term of his or her original enlistment in accordance with section 53 (and, if applicable, any periods of service authorised under section 64 or 65), or

(b) who was discharged in accordance with section 75,

may, subject to subsection (2), be re-enlisted as an enlisted person of the Permanent Defence Force for a specified period as determined by the Minister.

(2) A person may only be re-enlisted under subsection (1) where the Minister determines that this course of action will address a deficiency, within the Defence Forces, of necessary skills or expertise which, in his or her opinion, cannot be met through the use of existing personnel resources.

(3) A person re-enlisted under subsection (1) may have that period of service extended for such further term as the Minister may determine, having regard to any deficiency within the Defence Forces of necessary skills or expertise which, in his or her opinion, cannot be met through the use of the then existing personnel resources.

(4) Sections 53, 63, 64, 65 and 70 shall not apply to a person re-enlisted under this section.”,

(c) in section 58(1), by the substitution of “section 53 or 53A” for “section 53”, and

(d) in section 69, by the substitution of “section 53 or 53A” for “section 53”.