Dr Anthony Burke

Mr Lindsay asked the Minister for Defence/Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, upon notice, on 25 September 2008:

1. What selection criteria were used in appointing Dr Anthony Burke as an Associate Professor to the University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA).
2. Which academic board made the decision to appoint Dr Burke to ADFA.
3. What input did ADFA or the Department of Defence have in Dr Burke’s appointment and to whom does he report.
4. What subjects is Dr Burke teaching at the ADFA and in what year levels are his ADFA students.
5. What changes have been made to the ADFA curriculum in the disciplines in which Dr Burke teaches.

Mr Fitzgibbon - The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

1. The University of New South Wales (UNSW) appoints academic staff on the basis of an individual’s education, research and teaching record. This is in accordance with UNSW selection rules.
2. Dr Burke was appointed to the advertised position by a selection panel of UNSW at ADFA staff members.
3. None. Dr Burke reports to the Head of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at UNSW at ADFA.
4. This semester Dr Burke is teaching an ‘Asia Pacific Security’ postgraduate course. In Semester 1 2008, Dr Burke taught a ‘Global Security’ postgraduate course. Postgraduate programs offered by UNSW at ADFA are open to Defence employees, both military and civilian, and to members of the community. In Semester 1 2008, Dr Burke also coordinated a ‘Terrorism in the International Order: Past Present and Future’ undergraduate course. Nine academics and officials contributed to lectures in this course. This was open to second and third year undergraduate students.
5. Dr Burke teaches in courses already established in the curriculum that preceded his appointment. They have been updated with current literature and information, to ensure that they are up to date and reflect a range of views, including those of government and leading policy institutes.

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