Media Release

The Australian Department of Defence will discuss the Year 2000 progress of South East Asia defence forces at the second forum of the South East Asia Region Defence Year 2000 Network in Jakarta from April 19 to 22.

The forum will be attended by engineers and executives from the defence forces of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines as part of a multi-lateral network that aims to share Year 2000 knowledge and skills within the South East Asia region.

It is important for regional security that the defence forces for South East Asia display a high level of capability and professionalism. The Australian Defence Force is the leading high technology force in the region and, through this forum, has taken the initiative to share its expertise with our defence partners to support regional security.

This second forum follows an earlier regional Year 2000 forum on the topic opened by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Senator Eric Abetz, in Darwin in February.

Facilitators from the Australian Defence Force will conduct the forum workshopping sessions with the engineers to cover three areas of operational systems affected by the Year 2000: Navy, Air Force and communications.

The executive delegates will participate in interactive seminars to discuss three levels of Year 2000 project management: whole-of-government, portfolio and program.

Mr Adam Todhunter from the Victorian Government Year 2000 Risk Management Unit will provide the whole-of-government perspective.

Defence's Assistant Secretary Year 2000, Mr Geoff Davis, expects the forum to facilitate valuable information exchange and progress review within the region.

"We have realised the benefit in sharing the lessons learnt while preparing for the Year 2000," he said. "This forum provides an excellent opportunity to build up the South East Asian Year 2000 network that was formed at the first forum."

Further information:
Australia – Year 2000 Project Office (02) 62668966
Indonesia – Alison Marshall 0416 266 939

Issued by the Defence Public Affairs Organisation, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT, 2600

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