Defence

The official magazine

June 2006

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In the know

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Memorial Service

As part of National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Observance Committee (NAIDOC) week (2-9 July 2006), a memorial service is being held to honour those Indigenous servicemen and servicewomen who have played an active role in protecting and serving our country during times of war and peace.

The service will be held on Wednesday, 5 July 2006, from midday to 2:00 pm at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Memorial, Canberra (approximately 300 m behind the Australian War Memorial, towards Mount Ainslie). For further details, please contact Mrs Anne Moore on (02) 6265 3259 or via email at anne.moore1@defence.gov.au.

Minister launches e-newsletter

Australians with an interest in Defence issues are invited to take a free subscription to Defence Direct, a monthly e-newsletter in which the Minister for Defence, the Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson, MP, will summarise Defence issues, along with the Government's achievements and challenges.

While everyday Australians have first-hand experience with our health and education systems, for example, they may not be able to relate to Defence issues in the same way. Defence Direct seeks to provide a simple summary, along with links to further information.

Subscribers will need to 'opt in' to Defence Direct via www.minister.defence.gov.au. Once subscribed, readers will be able to opt out at any time.

The first issue, released on 5 June 2006, focuses on current operations and the recent budget.

Retirement of Defence leaders

Two well-known senior leaders are leaving Defence in June and July this year.

Alan Henderson, who will officially leave the department on 30 June, has been with Defence since July 2002 in the role of Deputy Secretary Corporate Services, and Head of the Corporate Services and Infrastructure Group.

Peter Sharp was appointed First Assistant Secretary Personnel in the Defence Personnel Executive Group in August 2002, and has enjoyed a far-reaching Defence career spanning over 30 years, including as manager of corporate services of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Defence Inspector-General, and as head of the Defence Strategic Workforce Planning Review.

Both Alan and Peter's contributions to Defence over the years have been highly valued by all those who have worked with them.

In the news

8 June

The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson, MP, visited the ADF members deployed to Timor-Leste in Dili.

The Australian commander, Brigadier Michael Slater, met with the Minister, who briefed many of the deployed troops on the ADF conditions of service package that has been determined for Operation Astute.

The Minister also met with President Xanana Gusmao, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, and Foreign and Defence Minister Jose Ramos-Horta. They noted the improved security situation, which has allowed constructive political dialogue to begin.

8 June

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Senator Sandy Macdonald, presented international awards for excellence in defence science to a group of researchers from the Defence Science & Technology Organisation (DSTO).

The awards were presented as part of the Anglo-Australian Memorandum of Understanding on Science and Technology (AAMOST) and the Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP).

'The AAMOST Awards are highly valued because they are only given when a rare and outstanding achievement is to be recognised,' Senator Macdonald said.

13 June

The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, and the Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces, General Hilmi Özkök, have signed a defence cooperation agreement between the two nations.

Air Chief Marshal Houston said the agreement would strengthen the defence relationship between Australia and Turkey.

'Australia and Turkey increasingly share global strategic interests that can benefit from closer defence cooperation,' he said.

General Özkök visited Australia as a guest of Air Chief Marshal Houston and attended a number of meetings in Canberra including one with the Governor-General and the Minister for Defence, the Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson, MP.

13 June

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Senator Sandy Macdonald, and the Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison, have announced that the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Australian Federal Police (AFP), in an effort to enhance domestic and regional security.

The agreement was signed in Canberra between Chief Defence Scientist, Dr Roger Lough and AFP Commissioner, Mick Keelty.

'This MOU will establish a framework to enable both organisations to support each other in areas of defence, security, counter terrorism, surveillance and forensic technologies,' Senator Macdonald said.

13 June

The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, has announced that Lieutenant Colonel (LTCOL) Mick Ryan has been appointed as the Commander of the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) in Afghanistan.

The RTF will deploy to Afghanistan in July this year to commence work on the construction of community-based projects around the Oruzgan Province of Afghanistan.

'Operating conditions in Afghanistan are dangerous and difficult, but LTCOL Ryan has prepared his troops well and they are ready to begin their deployment,' Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said.

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