AN
AWARD will be made to ADF members to formally recognise military
service as part of humanitarian assistance.
The Queen has approved an extension of the Humanitarian Overseas
Service Medal to recognise their assistance to Indonesia, Thailand,
Sri Lanka and the Maldives after the Boxing Day tsunami and the
March Indonesian earthquake.
The Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal was gazetted in 1999 to
honour members of recognised Australian groups that render humanitarian
service overseas in hazardous circumstances, such as service in
war zones, peacekeeping operation, natural disaster or civil strife.
Prime Minister John Howard said it was the Government’s view that
ADF members who serve in areas of great humanitarian need, at
risk to themselves, should be formally recognised in the Australian
honours system.
“In examining ways in which the tsunami assistance could be recognised,
a shortcoming in the honours system was revealed, as this medal
could not be awarded under the existing regulations,” he said.
Previously, most of humanitarian operations had been carried out
in countries, such as Kosovo and Iraq, regarded as hazardous areas
of operation. Service in emergencies, such as the tsunami response
had not been eligible under the existing regulations because these
had not been deemed to be hazardous.
The extension of the conditions for award of the medal recognised
humanitarian operations may be carried out in a non-violent atmosphere.
It also recognised that increasingly now, and in the future, ADF
personnel would be carrying out humanitarian work, which may not
be accompanied by traditional military activity.
“It was necessary to extend the Humanitarian Overseas Service
Medal to meet the exceptional circumstances caused by the tsunami
and the Nias earthquake,” Mr Howard said.
“The Australian Government believes that this special extension
of the humanitarian overseas award is warranted to adequately
recognise the outstanding contribution made by members of the
ADF and other government and nongovernment organisations, such
as the Australian aid agencies, that responded immediately and
compassionately to the needs of those affected by these extreme
natural disasters.”
Indonesia
gives medal to thank helo crew
