Senator Gary Humphries

The Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program is a unique opportunity for parliamentarians to engage with members of the Australian Defence Force through a variety of interesting and challenging attachments. Parliamentarians are offered a choice of week-long attachments across the three services. The program is intended to provide participants with a rewarding, memorable and educational experience with the ADF and to enable the parliamentarians to contribute to the debate on the Defence Force and national security issues in a more informed manner.

A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) AP-3C Orion detachment of about 180 personnel conduction maritime patrol operations, with two aircraft and associated command and support elements supporting both the rehabilitation operation in Iraq and the coalition operation against terrorism.

Operation Catalyst is the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF’s) contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq.

Operation Catalyst commenced on 16 July 2003 following on from Operation Falconer and Bastille. Working with the Iraqi Government, the ADF continues to contribute to Multinational Force efforts to develop a secure and stable environment in Iraq and assist national recovery programs.

Operation Catalyst currently comprises approximately 1400 Australian Defence Force personnel.

Though deployed on Catalyst, some units, personnel and assets are dual assigned and are also responsible to supporting Operation Slipper (the ADF’s contribution to fighting global terrorism).

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Ms Catherine King and Mr Peter Slipper, members of ADF Parliamentary Program wave farewell to the Australian Ambassador in the Middle East (Dr Ralph King) and Australian National Commander Middle East Area of Operations (Brigadier Mick Moon) on their way to visit ADF units deployed in the Persian Gulf.


(Date Taken: 06 July 2006)
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The Australian Ambasador, Dr Ralph King and Brigadier Mick Moon, National Commander Australian Forces in the Middle East farewell members of the ADF Parliamentary Program who are visiting ADF units deployed in the Persian Gulf.

(Date Taken: 06 July 2006)
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Dr Andrew Southcott gives a thumbs up as the helicopter carrying himself, Mr. Michael Keenan and Senator Gary Humphries departs to rendezvous with the HMAS Ballarat in the Persian Gulf. The members of Parliament are visiting the Middle East as part of the ADF Parliamentary Program which allows them to live with soldiers, sailors and airmen to help them understand the working conditions and duties performed by ADF personnel.

(Date Taken: 17 July 2006)
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Dr Andrew Southcott, Mr Michael Keenan and Senator Gary Humphries prepare to rendezvous with HMAS Ballarat in the Persian Gulf. The Parliamentarians were visiting ADF units deployed in the Middle East as part of the ADF Parliamentary Program.

(Date Taken: 06 July 2006)
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The Australian National Commander in the Middle East, Brigadier Mick Moon, briefs members of the ADF Parliamentary Program on the ADF contribution to the reconstruction of Iraq after their arrival in theatre.

(Date Taken: 06 July 2006)
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The Australian Ambassador, Dr Ralph King, and the Australian National Commander in the Middle East, Brigadier Mick Moon, welcome members of the ADF Parliamentary Program to the Middle East. The party comprising six Parliamentarians visited ADF personnel deployed in thePersian Gulf to help them understand the the roles and working conditions of deployed ADF personnel.

(Date Taken: 06 July 2006)
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Senator Gary Humphries, Senator for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), climbs into HMAS BALLARAT's RHIB (Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat) while visiting as part of the Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program.

(Date Taken: 06 July 2006)
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Mr Michael Keenan MP, Federal Member for Stirling, checks the 5.56mm Steyr rifle after receiving training from the specialist weapons handlers onboard HMAS BALLARAT.

(Date Taken: 06 July 2006)
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Senator Gary Humphries, Senator for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) (front) and Dr Andrew Southcott MP, Federal Member for Boothby (back) serve lunch to the members of the crew of HMAS BALLARAT.

(Date Taken: 07 July 2006)
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Senator Gary Humphries, Senator for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) listens to the approach of the ship's Seahawk helicopter in the Landing Safety Office (LSO) onboard HMAS BALLARAT.

(Date Taken: 07 July 2006)
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Commander Malcolm Wise (left) Commanding Officer of HMAS BALLARAT, briefs Senator Gary Humphries, Senator for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT)(middle), and Dr Andrew Southcott MP (right), Federal Member for Boothby, about the procedures for the upcoming Replenishment at Sea (RAS).

(Date Taken: 07 July 2006)
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Senator Gary Humphries, Senator for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), lends a helping hand to the crew of HMAS BALLARAT during a Replenishment at Sea (RAS).

(Date Taken: 07 July 2006)
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Senator Gary Humphries, Senator for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), lends a helping hand to the crew of HMAS BALLARAT during a Replenishment at Sea (RAS).

(Date Taken: 07 July 2006)
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Dr Andrew Southcott MP, Federal Member for Boothby (left), Senator Gary Humphries, Senator for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) (middle) and Executive Officer HMAS BALLARAT Lieutenant Commander John Earley prepare to conduct a fire fighting exercise on the Quarterdeck.

(Date Taken: 08 July 2006)
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Part of the experience of being onboard an Australian warship was to use the ship's defence systems. Members of the Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program (ADFPP) got up close and personal with a .50 calibre machine gun to see what it was like to shoot.

(Date Taken: 09 July 2006)
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Senator Gary Humphries, Senator for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) watches on as the Standing Sea Fire Brigade (SSFB) of HMAS BALLARAT conduct an exercise on the flight deck.

(Date Taken: 09 July 2006)
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Senator Gary Humphries, Senator for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in the early morning with some of the crew of HMAS BALLARAT while they conduct a routine workout to keep fit.

(Date Taken: 09 July 2006)
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Senator Gary Humphries, Senator for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in the early morning with some of the crew of HMAS BALLARAT while they conduct a routine workout to keep fit.

(Date Taken: 09 July 2006)
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Senator Gary Humphries, Senator for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), is fitted with a helmet for the helicopter flight to another loacation by HMAS BALLARAT's Seahawk helicopter (Bushranger).

(Date Taken: 09 July 2006)
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Senator Gary Humphries, Senator for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), is fitted with a helmet for the helicopter flight to another loacation by HMAS BALLARAT's Seahawk helicopter (Bushranger).

(Date Taken: 09 July 2006)
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Dr Andrew Southcott MP, Federal Member for Boothby, Mr Michael Keenan MP, Federal Member for Stirling and Senator Gary Humphries, Senator for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) receive a flying brief from Petty Officer Watson before leaving HMAS BALLARAT.

(Date Taken: 09 July 2006)
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Dr Andrew Southcott MP, Federal Member for Boothby (front), Mr Michael Keenan MP, Federal Member for Stirling (middle), Senator Gary Humphries, Senator for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) walk onto the flight deck of HMAS BALLARAT to be transferred to next stop on their Middle East trip.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Senator Gary Humphries, Senator for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), walks onto the flight deck of HMAS BALLARAT as he leaves the ship.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Senator for the ACT Gary Humphries with the help of Leading Airman (Airfield Defence Guard) Kurt Sayed dons body armor for a weapons and equipment familiarisation.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Senator for the ACT Gary Humphries and Leading Airman (Airfield Defence Guard) Kurt Sayed inspect the Senator's target after a 9mm pistol familiarisation shoot.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Senator for the ACT Gary Humphries fires the F88 Styer under the close eye of Leading Airman (Airfield Defence Guard) Kurt Sayed.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Senator for the ACT Gary Humphries, Member for Stirling (WA) Michael Keenan MP, and Member for Boothby (SA) Dr Andrew Southcott MP inspect their targets after firing the F88 Styer.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Senator for the ACT Gary Humphries, Member for Stirling (WA) Michael Keenan MP, and Member for Boothby (SA) Dr Andrew Southcott MP, check the targets with their safety supervisor.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Leading Airman (Airfield Defence Guard) Kurt Sayed explains the loading procedure of the 9mm pistol to Senator for the ACT Gary Humphries.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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A shell casing is ejected after Senator for the ACT Gary Humphries fires a 9mm pistol at Royal Australian Air Force equipment and weapons familiarisation.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Leading Airman (Airfield Defence Guard) Kurt Sayed directs Senator for the ACT Gary Humphries on which aiming point on the target he is to fire at.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Under the supervision of Leading Airman (Airfield Defence Guard) Kurt Sayed, Senator for the ACT Gary Humphries gets used to the feel of the MP5 sub-machine gun, one of the Airfield Defence Guards' weapons.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Senator for the ACT, Gary Humphries,Mr. Michael Keenan MP, Member for Stirling (WA) and Dr Andrew Southcott MP, Member for Boothby (SA) take a short walk from their vehicle onto the sand dunes.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Senator for the ACT Gary Humphries, Member for Stirling (WA) Michael Keenan MP, and Member for Boothby (SA) Dr Andrew Southcott MP, are shown the Remote Actuated Kinetic Energy Disrupter by Corporal Sean O'Rourke (RAAF Bomb Disposal).

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Flight Sergeant Shane Dew (RAAF Bomb Disposal) shows a print out of an X-rayed bomb to Senator for the ACT Gary Humphries, Member for Stirling (WA) Michael Keenan MP, and Member for Boothby (SA) Dr Andrew Southcott MP during an explosive ordnance device demonstration.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Corporal Sean O'Rourke (RAAF Bomb Disposal) shows to Senator for the ACT Gary Humphries, Member for Stirling (WA) Michael Keenan MP, and Member for Boothby (SA) Dr Andrew Southcott MP, all the parts of the MED ENG MK8 Bomb Suit.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Senator for the ACT Gary Humphries, Member for Boothby (SA) Dr Andrew Southcott MP and Member for Stirling (WA) Michael Keenan MP in the MED ENG MK8 Bomb Suit, with members of the RAAF Bomb Disposal Squad, Corporal Sean O'Rourke and Flight Sergeant Shane Dew.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Corporal Sean O'Rourke and Flight and Sergeant Shane Dew (RAAF Bomb Disposal) give a demonstration of the Cyclops 4D robot to Senator for the ACT Gary Humphries, Member for Stirling (WA) Michael Keenan MP, and Member for Boothby (SA) Dr Andrew Southcott MP.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Senator for the ACT, Gary Humphries, at the controls of the Cyclops 4D robot.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Senator for the ACT Gary Humphries (left) is given a tour of the Communication Centre in the Middle East Area of Operations.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Flight Sargent Dave Cole elabarates on why red streamers are used on aircraft to Member for Boothby (SA) Dr Andrew Southott MP and Senator for the ACT Gary Humphries.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Leading Aircraftman Sam Bessell shows Senator for the ACT Gary Humphries what is under the skin of a P-3 Orion.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Member for Stirling (WA) Michael Keenan MP has his SECUMAR Life Preserver adjusted by Leading Aircraft Woman Sarah Kelemm (Life Support Fitter) in preperation for a flight in a P-3 Orion.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Before a flight in P-3 Orion, Member for Boothby (SA) Dr Andrew Southcott MP has his SECUMAR Life Preserver adjusted by Leading Aircraft Woman Sarah Kelemm (Life Support Fitter).

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Senator for the ACT Gary Humphries waits while having a SECUMAR Life Preserver adjusted by Leading Aircraft Woman Sarah Kelemm (Life Support Fitter).

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Member for Boothby (SA) Dr Andrew Southcott MP, Senator for the ACT Gary Humphries and Member for Stirling (WA) Michael Keenan MP, await their flight in a P-3 Orion.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Senator Gary Humphries ACT speak to Cpl Bruce Bolger and LT Col Thomson behind is Col Holmes Commandant CATC.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Cpl Bruce Bolger speaks to Senator Gary Humphries at Exercise Chong Ju 2006.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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An AS1 Leopard tank from the School of Armour at Puckapunyal emerges from its dugout. during Exercise Chong Ju.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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ACT Senator Gary Humphries is shown over the AS1 Leopard tank from the School of Armour by Warrant Officer Class Two John Morvell.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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Senator Gary Humphries speakes to the AS1 Leopard tank crew (L-R) Warrant Officer Class 2 Justine Dyer, Senator Gary Humphries (ACT), driver WO2 John Morvell, gunner Sergeant Brett Ferguson and tank commander Captain Grant Chamber.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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ASLAV crew Lance Corporal Chris Dunne and Trooper Josh Wallace discuss their part in Exercise Chong Ju with ACT Senator Gary Humphries.

(Date Taken: 10 July 2006)
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