A new service medal in 2005

A new medal is being established to recognise volunteer service of six years in the ADF, permanent or Reserve. The Australian Defence Medal will be retrospective from the end of World War II.

Up to 400,000 ex- Service personnel may apply for the medal. However, former National Servicemen will not be eligible unless they subsequently volunteered and completed the requisite six years of volunteer service.

Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Mal Brough said the Australian Defence Medal re- flected that people could contribute to the national interest by serving the country on operations or remaining in Australia in a support role.

Once the design is finalised and the medals have been struck, they are expected to be issued from mid-2005.

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