Media Release

NEW AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS

As part of Defence's ongoing improvements to Defence management, the Australian Defence Headquarters in Canberra has been reorganised.

The aim of the changes is to increase the focus, accountability and performance of the Headquarters as Defence continues to focus on increased combat capability.

Defence Headquarters Staff will now have three focal components - Strategy, Capability, and Resources and Management.

The Heads of these Staffs will report directly to the Chief of the Defence Force and the Secretary for Defence. The command structure of the Australian Defence Force will remain the same and be directed by the CDF, supported by the single service headquarters headed by the Chiefs of Service.

"This reorganisation of the Defence leadership team aims to reinforce a world class organisation that harnesses and improves the knowledge and skills of its people and emphasises very strong teamwork teamwork within the Headquarters," the Chief of the Defence Force, Admiral Chris Barrie said.

"If Defence is to remain at the forefront of innovation, it will be critical to ensure that our strategic direction, capabilities and resource requirements are a team process not only in the Headquarters, but throughout the whole organisation, so that Defence can successfully meet the challenges of ensuring Australia's future security," the Secretary, Mr Paul Barratt said.

The Strategy Staff, headed by Mr Hugh White (Deputy Secretary Strategy), will be accountable for strategic policy development, managing strategic crises, shaping Australia's strategic environment, producing the annual strategic assessments and priorities, as well as the triennial Strategic Reviews and White Papers.

The Capability Staff, headed by Air Marshal Doug Riding (Vice Chief of the Defence Force), will be accountable for capability policy development, preparedness, capability priorities and plans, as well as providing guidance to the Capability Output Managers, Defence Acquisition and other implementing Defence groups.

The Resource and Management Staff, headed by Mr Rob Tonkin (Deputy Secretary Resources & Management), will be accountable for Defence resource and financial and management policy, corporate planning and external reporting, public affairs and strategic workforce planning.

Further information:
LTCOL David Tyler (02) 62652929

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

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