Defence

Feature

Committee matters

They say 'not to judge a book by its cover', and Wing Commander (WGCDR) Anne Borzycki has had three months to get familiar with her new role and make her own judgment. So, what's the verdict? Harry Baxter reports.

The duty statement is a formidable read in itself, and the job title might be enough to put a question even in the minds of the brave, but WGCDR Anne Borzycki gives a glowing account of her new posting as the Defence Adviser to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT).

'The people who have done this job [in previous years] have enjoyed the role, they've appreciated the new perspective on things, and learnt a lot. I'm certainly on track to be able to say the same thing at the end of this year,' she says.

This joint standing committee is the largest of the committees (see "Committee capers") with 32 members from all sides of politics and a demanding agenda. It's typical, WGCDR Borzycki says, for as many as seven meetings of the committee or its subcommittees, including the Defence Subcommittee, to occur in any one parliamentary sitting week. And this is on top of all the other duties they must undertake as part of their parliamentary responsibilities!

The formal roles of the Defence Adviser to the committee include assisting with coordination of briefings, visits and committee processes for the Defence subcommittee.

'Having an appreciation of the relationship between Defence and Government is important—not just for those working in Canberra, but also for commanders out in the field.

'There's more to understanding "Canberra" than just knowing who does what in Russell—it's just as necessary to understand the strategic context of what we do and the decisions that get made.

'Having this insight can help Commanders better explain issues and the decision-making process to their people.

'The Government's interactions with Defence can be an incredibly complex and multi-layered process. The Joint Standing Committee is just be one of those layers, but the committee members, especially those on the Defence Subcommittee are strongly supportive of the work of Defence personnel.

'They have a genuine interest in Defence people and what we do. And they have a vast amount of knowledge about a range of issues! Importantly, the committee members work together collaboratively and cooperatively to ensure the best outcome for Defence in whatever they do—be it an inquiry, an inspection visit or a request for briefing.

'People need to understand that this committee is very different from the Senate estimates process.'

Recently, members of the committee travelled to Melbourne to see first-hand the involvement of Defence personnel in support of the Commonwealth Games, under Operation Acolyte.

'It's my job to arrange these kinds of visits, to allow members of the committee to fully appreciate the breadth of Defence's tasks. I arranged the visit with the commander of the taskforce, Brigadier Andrew Smith, and his staff. The members received an excellent briefing, very thorough, which was followed by a very open and frank question-and-answer session.'

Committee members also met with a range of key personnel involved in Operation Acolyte, including commandos, clearance divers working in the Yarra River and the 'search and render safe' teams.

'Our people were fully kitted up, and they [the committee members] were taken aback by the incredible range of activities being undertaken by the Australian Defence Force,' WGCDR Borzycki noted. 'I should say, too, that they were very impressed by the high quality of protective equipment, clothing and technical support equipment that we had.

'I can't stress enough that committee members really do appreciate the opportunity to learn more about Defence—and they appreciate candour and honesty,' she says. She adds that the Members and Senators also understand the bounds of national security classifications, and the need for Defence officials to restrict themselves to professional observations about the work that they do.

While she remains a Defence member, and has close links to Defence through the Chief of Staff Australian Defence Headquarters (COSADHQ) and Vice Chief of the Defence Force's office, WGCDR Borzycki reports directly to the secretary of the Joint Standing Committee, not a Defence executive member.

'The role performed by WGCDR Borzycki, and likewise by the other ADF and civilian Defence staff in Ministers' offices in Parliament House, is a critical one,' Peter Jennings, COSADHQ says.

'Their liaison work ensures that our support to the Ministers and to members of Parliament is as effective as it can be. It's a role that's all about coordination and providing a high quality of service.'

As for the last word on the matter, WGCDR Borzycki is adamant that her role in fostering links with Defence goes way beyond the sceptics' view of coordinating photo opportunities.

'Members and Senators are often on more than one of these committees,' WGCDR Borzycki says, 'and they have so much information presented to them. Their knowledge of Defence issues is very impressive.'

'The committee gets two things out of it. They get one-on-one contact with Defence personnel, and are always impressed by the enthusiastic, intelligent men and women that they meet. They also get to put things in context at the working level, which is so important for when they deal with these issues at a more strategic level—it's not abstract anymore.'

Committee capers

Parliamentary committees play a key role in the scrutiny of government activities, including legislation, public administration and policy issues.
Photo courtesy of AUSPIC

Parliamentary committees play a critical role in the business of Government.

What do committees do?

Parliamentary committees have considerable powers to undertake work on behalf of the Parliament, and to investigate specific matters of policy, or government administration or performance.

Why are committees important?

Committees have extensive powers to call for people—including public servants—and documents to be subject to scrutiny. Committees contribute to better-informed policy-making and legislative processes. They help members of Parliament access a wide range of community and expert views. It is through the committee process that the Parliament is able to be better informed of community issues and attitudes. In a sense, committees take Parliament to the people and allow direct contact between members of the public and Members of the House.

Membership

Committee work is an important part of the duties of a Member of Parliament and generally makes considerable demands on a member's time, both when Parliament is sitting and at other times.

Committee business

General-purpose standing committees are investigatory or scrutiny committees, appointed at the commencement of each Parliament to inquire into, and report on, any matters referred to them by the Parliament or a Minister.

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade's current activities include inquiries and reports into:

• Australia's aid program in the Pacific region;
• Australia's relationships with India;
• the Closer Economic Relations (CER) Agreement between Australia and New Zealand;
• Australia's response to the Indian Ocean tsunami;
• Australia's regional strategic defence requirements;
• the review of the Defence Annual Report 2004–05;
• the Australian Defence Force's regional air superiority;
• trade and investment relations with North Africa;
• Australia's relationship with the Republic of Korea; and
• Australia's defence relations with the United States.

Source: Parlinfo Service

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