More Defence news: 25 May 2009 - 31 May 2009
|
Minister at Shangri-La Dialogue | Defence Review finds no investigation of Minister | Defence to contribute to anti-piracy efforts | Chief of Defence Force updates Afghanistan operations | Top Timorese honour for Army leaders |
|
Minister at Shangri-La Dialogue
The Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP Minister for Defence, is in Singapore attending the 8th International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue, the foremost gathering of Defence leaders in Asia-Pacific More: Image Gallery | Ministers releases |
|
Defence Review finds no investigation of Minister
A review into claims Defence staff conducted a covert investigation and leaked personal information about the Minister for Defence has found that the allegations are entirely without foundation. The allegations are of a very serious nature, and, if proven correct, could have led to criminal charges being laid. The Secretary of Defence Nick Warner said, “the Defence review was extremely thorough and comprehensive. It found no evidence to support allegations that Defence officials had investigated either the Minister or Ms Liu. “Indeed, the investigation confirmed that no Defence investigative authority or intelligence agency was aware of Ms Liu before the media article on 26 March 2009,” Mr Warner said. “It also found no evidence to support claims that Defence officials used the Defence Signals “The investigation was conducted with complete professionalism. Independent best practice guidance on the investigative methodology was provided by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. External security intelligence and law enforcement agencies were consulted, and the Commonwealth Ombudsman was briefed. “All relevant areas of Defence were reviewed with particular attention given to areas assessed to have the skills, knowledge and access relevant to the allegations. “The investigation involved over 1700 people from across Defence, the completion of over 1300 statutory declarations responding to the allegations and over 600 interviews,” Mr Warner said. A declassified version of the report is available on the Defence website at: |
|
Defence to contribute to anti-piracy efforts
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) will commit assets to fighting piracy off the Eastern coat of Africa. Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) assets, currently deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations under Op SLIPPER, will be flexibly tasked between their existing counter-terrorism and maritime security roles, and anti-piracy efforts. The contribution includes Navy Anzac-class frigate HMAS Warramunga and RAAF AP-3C Orion patrol aircraft. This will enable Australia to provide a robust and effective contribution to anti-piracy efforts, while still being able to respond to the most pressing tasking across the region. Australia will also provide, on a rotational basis, a commander, fleet battle staff and Navy planning staff to international Task Force 150, based at Combined Maritime Forces in Bahrain. More: Minister for Defence release | Imagery | HMAS Warramunga | RAAF AP-3C Orion |
|
Chief of Defence Force updates Afghanistan operations
28 May 2009 - Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Angus Houston, today provided an update on Australian Defence Force (ADF) operations in Afghanistan. ACM Houston announced a recent success in the fight against Taliban insurgents: “Today I can reveal that Mullah Qasim, a senior insurgent commander who had planned attacks against Coalition Forces and who controlled suicide bombers in Uruzgan province, was successfully targeted and killed on May 24. “Qasim facilitated and coordinated the placement of deadly IEDs in Uruzgan province. He was also responsible for setting explosive devices aimed at killing Afghan government officials and local community leaders.” ACM Houston also presented the findings of an inquiry, which found no evidence to substantiate claims that the ADF was responsible for wounding and killing civilians: “When allegations of civilian casualties as a result of ADF operations are raised, Defence investigates these incidents in the most comprehensive manner possible. “I can now tell you the Inquiry Officer concluded there was no evidence to support a finding that the SOTG caused civilian casualties on January 5, 2009. “In reaching this conclusion, the Inquiry Team gathered oral, documentary and physical evidence from Afghan, Australian and coalition sources. These sources included some of the injured civilians, their family members, the Afghan Provincial Governor and his Chief of Police.” Additionally, ACM Houston highlighted recent operational successes and talked about the ADF’s increased presence in the country in the lead-up to national elections. “I am very proud of all our deployed forces. The men and women of the ADF are held in the highest regard by our allies, operation partners and host countries,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said. “I am pleased to inform you that efforts to prepare the additional troops for deployment are proceeding well. Of note is the Election Security Force which I anticipate will be in place by July prior to the Afghanistan Presidential election on August 20. “Furthermore, I am delighted that a highly professional and capable Australian Army Officer, Brigadier Damian Cantwell, has been appointed as Chief of ISAF’s Election Task Force.” Commenting on the progress of ADF elements in Afghanistan, ACM Houston said, “Australia’s Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force continues to provide local construction and development support. “At the same time, the Special Operations Task Group is making inroads in dismantling Afghanistan’s insurgent network. Since January 2009, our special forces soldiers have participated in nine major operations against senior Taliban leadership, culminating in the deaths of key Taliban insurgent planners and bomb makers and the capture of others.”More: Media releases | Chief of Defence Force’s speech | Report of inquiry into death of civilians | Imagery | Audio |
|
Top Timorese honour for Army leaders
25 May 2009 - Army officers Major General Mick Slater and Major Michael Stone have been presented with East Timor’s highest honour for their services to the fledgling nation over the past decade. The Timor-Leste Medalha de Merito (Medal of Merit) was presented by President of East Timor, His Excellency Dr Jose Ramos Horta, at a ceremony at the President’s office in Dili. President Horta said Major General Slater’s contribution to East Timor exemplifies the values of the Australian Defence Force and noted, in particular, his leadership of the International Stabilisation Force which was deployed in response to the breakdown in security in 2006. Major Stone was honoured for the unique role as a peacemaker he has played in East Timor during the past decade. President Horta said his profound understanding of Timorese culture and language has enabled him to promote peace and reconciliation throughout the country, gaining the respect of its people. Major-General Slater, now Commander of the Army’s 1st Division, led the Second Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, during the original Australian deployment into East Timor in 1999. He subsequently commanded the International Stabilisation Force in 2006. Major Stone saw two deployments to East Timor from 1999 and deployed twice again as an advisor to the East Timor Defence Force. He currently serves as an advisor as part of the Defence Cooperation Program in East Timor. |
