More Defence news: 02 March 2009 - 08 March 2009

PM opens Joint Operations HQ | New East Timor training wing | Digger Dogs have their Day | Minister for Defence meets leaders of East Timor

PM opens Joint Operations HQ

The new Headquarters Joint Operations Command complex, located near Bungendore, has been officially opened and named by the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

The Prime Minister said the opening marks the culmination of two important initiatives to improve the higher Australian Defence Force command and control arrangements.  The first is the completion of the General John Baker Complex near Bungendore. The second is the development and stand-up of the new integrated Headquarters Joint Operations Command organisation in the new facility.

Prime Minister Rudd also acknowledged that the Headquarters Joint Operations Command complex facility was the first significant Commonwealth infrastructure project to proceed under Public Private Partnership.

More: Image Gallery

New East Timor training wing

Minister for Defence the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, opened a new Specialist Training Wing for the East Timor Defence Force, in Metinaro.

The complex is set up to train East Timor Defence Force personnel in infantry, communications, engineering and medic skills, from beginners to advanced courses. The project was built by Australian-based construction company, RMS, using 72 local workers from Metinaro and the Metinaro internal displaced person's camp.

East Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao helped open the facility.

The Minister for Defence was accompanied by Chief of Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston and Minister for Veterans Affairs Alan Griffin.

More: Image Gallery | Media Release

05 March – The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, met with East Timor’s President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, during a two day visit to East Timor.

Mr Fitzgibbon was accompanied by the Minister for Veteran’s Affairs, the Hon. Alan Griffin, and the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, to engage in bilateral discussions on areas for future cooperation between Australia and East Timor.

“My discussions with both the President and Prime Minister focused on areas for future cooperation, including maritime security and providing additional English language instruction.

“I welcomed President Ramos-Horta’s plan to issue an East Timor Medal to international security forces, including ADF members, who have helped in reconstruction efforts,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

During the visit, the Ministers and Air Chief Marshal Houston also met with the Chief of the East Timorese Defence Force, Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak, and the Prime Minister’s wife, Mrs Kirsty Sword-Gusmao.

“Brigadier General Ruak and I enjoyed a tour of HMAS Glenelg, an Australian Armidale Class Patrol Boat that is conducting a goodwill visit to East Timor,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

More: Media Release | Image Gallery