Defence

Coordination and Public Affairs

Changing of the guard

Senator the Hon Robert Hill resigned from the Senate after a distinguished career spanning 25 years of parliamentary service including over four years as Minister for Defence. Senator Hill was also the Coalition's longest serving Leader of the Government in the Senate.

As Minister for Defence, Senator Hill had oversight of operations (combat, peacekeeping and humanitarian) in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Solomon Islands, Pakistan, Sudan, Indonesia and elsewhere.

He was responsible for two Strategic Updates, reform of the Defence Materiel Organisation, significant changes to capability development processes and changes across the Australian intelligence community.

Senator Hill expressed his appreciation both to the Secretary of Defence and to the Chief of the Defence Force for their support during his tenure. He also thanked both civilian and military Defence personnel.

In his letter to the Secretary, Senator Hill said:

"Insufficient credit has been given to the wider Defence community for the operational successes of the Australian Defence Force. The support from the civilian side of Defence, for our military operations, has been excellent. We live in an era of increasing demand for economic efficiency, accountability and public scrutiny."

In his letter to CDF, Senator Hill acknowledged that:

"The men and women of the Australian Defence Force are a great national asset and deserve to be treated as such. One of the most pleasing aspects of my tenure has in fact been to witness the high levels of public respect and support for those who serve in our military forces. The operational successes of recent years have been as a result of the professionalism of the deployed personnel, the leadership of the force, the quality of training and the personal courage of the individuals deployed."

New Ministry announced

The Hon Dr Brendan Nelson was sworn in as Minister for Defence on 27 January 2006. Dr Nelson, who is well known for his commitment to the areas of health, medical and social issues, is a general practitioner by profession and practiced medicine for ten years.

After holding the position of President of the Australian Medical Association for two years, Dr Nelson was elected to Parliament in 1996 and, in 2001, was appointed by the Prime Minister as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence and then later as Minister for Education, Science and Training.

Along with the announcement of the new Minister for Defence, Prime Minister Howard announced additional changes to his Ministry. This reshuffle included a new Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence.

The Hon Bruce Billson has replaced the Hon Deanne Kelly as the new Minister for Veterans Affairs and the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence.

Senator the Hon Sandy Macdonald has been sworn in as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, replacing the Hon Theresa Gambaro.

In allocating Ministerial responsibilities, and aside from overall responsibility for Defence policy, Minister Nelson will retain responsibility for defence industry policy and Australian Defence Force (ADF) recruitment. The main responsibilities allocated to the Minister Assisting include personnel policy, compensation, superannuation, ADF retention, Defence education, Defence health services, Military law, discipline and high level Board of Inquiry and investigations into personnel matters, the Defence Community Organisation/Defence Families of Australia, and Honours and Awards.

The responsibilities allocated to the Parliamentary Secretary include Defence corporate services and infrastructure matters, Defence Science and Technology Organisation, community matters arising from and in connection with ADF operational training activities, Reserve policy, Australian Defence Force Cadets, ADF Parliamentary Exchange Program and Defence industry liaison.

Compiled by Katharina Chase

Former Minister for Defence Senator the Hon. Robert Hill.

Minister for Defence the Hon. Brendan Nelson.

Minister assisting the Minister for Defence the Hon. Bruce Billson.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence Senator the Hon. Sandy Macdonald.

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