http://australianpolitics.com Resources, News & Commentary from Malcolm Farnsworth Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:23:43 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= Resources, News & Commentary from Malcolm Farnsworth AustralianPolitics.com no Resources, News & Commentary from Malcolm Farnsworth http://australianpolitics.com/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg http://australianpolitics.com/category/issues/defence http://australianpolitics.com/2011/11/20/stephen-smith-meet-the-press.html http://australianpolitics.com/2011/11/20/stephen-smith-meet-the-press.html#comments Sun, 20 Nov 2011 04:49:46 +0000 Malcolm Farnsworth http://australianpolitics.com/?p=4580 http://australianpolitics.com/2011/11/20/stephen-smith-meet-the-press.html/feed 0 http://australianpolitics.com/2011/04/11/review-of-adf-treatment-of-wome.html http://australianpolitics.com/2011/04/11/review-of-adf-treatment-of-wome.html#comments Mon, 11 Apr 2011 06:33:08 +0000 Malcolm Farnsworth http://australianpolitics.com/?p=4160 http://australianpolitics.com/2011/04/11/review-of-adf-treatment-of-wome.html/feed 0 ADF,Angus Houston,Elizabeth Broderick,Stephen Smith The Defence Minister, Stephen Smith, has announced that Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick will lead "an examination of the treatment of women at the Australian Defence Force Academy." - The review will include an examination of "unhe... The Defence Minister, Stephen Smith, has announced that Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick will lead "an examination of the treatment of women at the Australian Defence Force Academy." The review will include an examination of "unhealthy drinking cultures", the impact of social media, and a "cultural stocktake" that will look at the ADF's codes of conduct and behaviours. The review was announced by Smith at a press conference this afternoon. He was accompanied by the Chief of the Defence Force, Angus Houston. Listen to Smith and Houston. (70m) PLAY This is the text of a media release from the Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith. Sex Discrimination Commissioner to lead review of the Australian Defence Force Academy and the Australian Defence Force Today I announce that Ms Elizabeth Broderick, the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, on behalf of the Australian Human Rights Commission, will lead an examination of the treatment of women at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA). She will also review the progress of existing strategies identified by the Chief of the Defence Force’s Women’s Advisory Group, including pathways for women into Australian Defence Force (ADF) leadership. This will be an important step in commencing a far reaching cultural appraisal and ongoing change program for Defence. The Australian Human Rights Commission, at the request of the Minister for Defence, has agreed for the Sex Discrimination Commissioner to lead a small team of men and women with relevant expertise in this area to do this work. Ms Broderick’s work is the first step in the comprehensive review of the culture both within ADFA and the ADF to address ongoing areas of concern in relation to promoting appropriate conduct, including the treatment of women, alcohol use and use of social media and representational behaviour more generally. These comprehensive reviews are being initiated by the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) and the Secretary of the Department of Defence. These reviews will audit and assess the good work that has been done to date in these areas, see what improvements can be made and what lessons can be learnt from other organisations. There will be a separate review to improve pathways for women in the Australian Public Service (APS) in the Defence organisation. As well, the CDF will bring forward for implementation by the Government the opening up of all roles in the ADF to women, including combat roles, on the basis that determination for suitability for roles in the ADF is to be based on physical and intellectual ability, not gender. Additionally, a cultural stocktake and review of alcohol and binge drinking, the use of social media and personal conduct at ADFA and in the ADF more generally has been commissioned. Drinking and inappropriate behaviour often go hand in hand and we continue to need to understand better how to manage unhealthy drinking cultures. The impact of social media – online technologies enabling people to communicate and share information and resources via the internet – has created new challenges for the ADF and the Defence organisation. Things which are conducted privately may be appropriate, but they are not appropriate if they are conducted in public, including through the use of social media. We must ensure that the use of new technologies is consistent with ADF and Defence values. Each member of the ADF, from the most junior cadet to the most senior officer, is a representative of Defence and our nation. The Defence leadership and the Australian community have a right to expect the highest standard of behaviour and professionalism. The cultural stocktake will assess the ADF’s codes of conduct and behaviours against them, including for personnel serving overseas, to ensure they reflect the Defence leadership’s expectations of the high standards that those serving their country should demonstrate at all times. AustralianPolitics.com no http://australianpolitics.com/2011/02/01/smith-clare-defence-press-conference.html http://australianpolitics.com/2011/02/01/smith-clare-defence-press-conference.html#comments Tue, 01 Feb 2011 01:18:24 +0000 Malcolm Farnsworth http://australianpolitics.com/?p=4076 http://australianpolitics.com/2011/02/01/smith-clare-defence-press-conference.html/feed 0 floods Afghanistan,Jason Clare,Stephen Smith Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare held a joint press conference today to outline defence procurement plans. Listen to the press conference. PLAY - Transcript of Stephen Smith and Jason Clare press confe... Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare held a joint press conference today to outline defence procurement plans. Listen to the press conference. PLAY Transcript of Stephen Smith and Jason Clare press conference. STEPHEN SMITH: I'm very pleased to be here with Jason Clare, the Minister for Defence Materiel. We have a range of announcements today but before I deal with those joint announcements can I just make some general remarks? We always knew that this year would be a big year for Defence particularly in terms of procurement and capability and reform in those areas but it's already been a big year for Defence with the work that Australian Defence Force personnel have been doing, assisting in the floods in Queensland and Victoria. Can I again compliment the good work of our Defence personnel. At its peak we had about 1900 personnel in Queensland. Currently we have a substantially smaller complement assisting in Queensland and also in Victoria and that will continue in specialised areas. Can I just make some remarks about the cyclone off the Queensland coast? It currently is suggested the cyclone will bear down either on Cairns or Townsville. We, of course, will monitor it and take it step by step but firstly we have assets, of course, in Townsville so we're taking our own precautions in terms of readiness for any possible cyclone but secondly, as we've indicated privately to Queensland authorities, and indicated publicly, that if there is any assistance that Defence can provide in the aftermath of any such cyclone, and we receive a request from the Queensland emergency management authorities then of course we will respond positively. Can I just also indicate so far as Egypt is concerned, that the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister have made extensive remarks on that but just to indicate that, as part of the increased assistance and additional resources to our mission in Cairo, that eight Defence personnel will join the mission on a temporary basis to assist with communications and logistics and to assist the mission staff in the consular assistance they provide to Australian citizens. Jason and I today are making three announcements and those papers have been distributed. I'll make some general remarks and then give Jason the opportunity to make some remarks on some of the detail. Firstly, in terms of force protection in Afghanistan, you'll recall that my predecessor, Minister Faulkner, put in place a Force Protection Review in 2009. That saw 48 recommendations for improved force protection by 2012-13 with an all-up cost of some $1.6 billion. Minister Faulkner and I have reported regularly either publicly, or to the Parliament on the implementation of that review. I'm pleased to advise that 40 of the 48 recommendations have either been completed or are on track. Of the eight remaining, six are subject to monitoring and oversight and two projects will not proceed. One is to do with hearing protection. The technology is not available to deliver that so that project will not continue. A second project, a high technology anti-IED measure will also not proceed on the basis that the technological application is not currently available. I won't go into too much detail on the outstanding measures but, as I've said in the past, one includes additional hardening of accommodation in Tarin Kowt. Importantly Minister Clare and I are announcing that since 28 December, C-RAM, the counter rocket, artillery and mortar mechanism has been in place. This is a substantial improvement on the predecessor which was provided by the Singaporean Defence Forces. There's been a substantial technological upgrade. It has been successfully implemented and it has seen successful operation on two separate occasions. It gives our people on the ground more time to take precautions and evasive action when rockets, artillery or mortars come into our base at Tarin Kowt. AustralianPolitics.com no http://australianpolitics.com/2011/01/18/aukmin-iii-communique.html http://australianpolitics.com/2011/01/18/aukmin-iii-communique.html#comments Tue, 18 Jan 2011 06:43:37 +0000 Malcolm Farnsworth http://australianpolitics.com/?p=3866 The full text of the AUKMin Communique issued today by Kevin Rudd and Stephen Smith with their UK couterparts William Hague and Liam Fox. A joint press conference was held after the meeting.

• Listen to the press conference. (40m) PLAY

]]> http://australianpolitics.com/2011/01/18/aukmin-iii-communique.html/feed 0 AUKMin,Kevin Rudd,Liam Fox,Stephen Smith,William Hague The full text of the AUKMin Communique issued today by Kevin Rudd and Stephen Smith with their UK couterparts William Hague and Liam Fox. - A joint press conference was held after the meeting. - Listen to the press conference. (40m) PLAY The full text of the AUKMin Communique issued today by Kevin Rudd and Stephen Smith with their UK couterparts William Hague and Liam Fox. A joint press conference was held after the meeting. Listen to the press conference. (40m) PLAY AustralianPolitics.com no http://australianpolitics.com/2009/01/05/rudd-offers-condolences-on-death-of-australian-soldier.html http://australianpolitics.com/2009/01/05/rudd-offers-condolences-on-death-of-australian-soldier.html#comments Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:04:34 +0000 Malcolm Farnsworth http://australianpolitics.com/?p=442 http://australianpolitics.com/2009/01/05/rudd-offers-condolences-on-death-of-australian-soldier.html/feed 0 Afghanistan,Defence,Kevin Rudd,Taliban Kevin Rudd has offered his condolences following the death of an Australian soldier in Afghanistan. - Click the Play button to listen to Rudd: - LISTEN - This is the transcript of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's press conference: - PRIME MINISTER: Kevin Rudd has offered his condolences following the death of an Australian soldier in Afghanistan. Click the Play button to listen to Rudd: LISTEN This is the transcript of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's press conference: PRIME MINISTER: I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of an Australian soldier in Afghanistan. This brave soldier, wearing the uniform of Australia died the field of duty wearing his nation's uniform and wearing it with pride. On behalf of the Government, I extend my condolences to his family and to his friends and to his loved ones. Our prayers and those of the entire nation are with his family and his friends and his loved ones on this most tragic of days. In accordance with the wishes of the family, the soldier's name will not be released at this stage. This soldier was killed when Taliban insurgents engaged an Afghan forward operating base. And Australians were present and they came under rocket attack. Sadly, as a result of this incident today, eight brave Australian soldiers have lost their lives in Afghanistan, fighting Taliban insurgents. Our troops in Afghanistan are doing dangerous and difficult work and this work continues, it continues as we speak here today. They are in the field, they are doing their job for Australia and it is dangerous. I've said before that there is no higher calling for any Australian than to wear the uniform of Australia. And on a difficult and tragic day such as today, we are reminded of the cost of wearing that uniform - and that is to ultimately surrender your life for your country. And that is what has happened. Fighting the war in Afghanistan continues as an important part of the fight against terrorism, the fight against Al Qaeda. It is also part and parcel of our obligations to our allies and friends, given that this war in Afghanistan began following the terrorist attacks on September 11 by Al Qaeda resulting in the murder of thousands of innocent civilians. My thoughts, my prayers, go out to this young man's family. The nation grieves with his family today. The nation grieves with his comrades today. The nation grieves with his friends today. I'll take your questions. JOURNALIST: Can you tell us what state the soldier comes from? PRIME MINISTER: None of those details will be made public at this stage and that has been at the request of the family. And these are deeply and understandably personal matters. The Australian Defence Force has a well established protocol for engaging with the families of those who have lost their lives or those who have been wounded. Those protocols are being adhered to and what is of paramount importance to us is respecting the wishes of the family, as we're doing today. JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, will the Government be reconsidering troop numbers in Afghanistan. PRIME MINISTER: As I've indicated before, the Government believes that our current troop disposition in Afghanistan is about right. We have no plans to increase those numbers. And remember our troops in Afghanistan, whom I visited recently, are doing a first class job. That is also the view of our allies and friends. That is also the view of the Afghan Government. We believe the work that they are doing both in pushing back the enemy, both in training the Afghan National Army and engaged in necessary reconstruction work in Oruzgan Province is proceeding calmly, smoothly, methodically but there are always risks, there are always dangers, and we're reminded tragically of those dangers today. JOURNALIST: Prime Minister were there any other Australians at that base? Or how many were there? PRIME MINISTER: Again I would adhere to the protocols, I think important protocols laid down by the Australian military. We'll make further comment as it is appropriate. We're always mindful of the ongoing security of our troops in the field at times like this. And having seen something, AustralianPolitics.com no http://australianpolitics.com/2009/01/05/eighth-australian-soldier-killed-in-afghanistan.html http://australianpolitics.com/2009/01/05/eighth-australian-soldier-killed-in-afghanistan.html#comments Mon, 05 Jan 2009 03:49:58 +0000 Malcolm Farnsworth http://australianpolitics.com/?p=439 http://australianpolitics.com/2009/01/05/eighth-australian-soldier-killed-in-afghanistan.html/feed 0 Afghanistan,Angus Houston,Defence An Australian soldier has been killed in a rocket attack in Oruzgan Province in Afghanistan. He is the eighth Australian casualty in Afghanistan since 2001. - The announcement was made in Canberra by the Chief of the Defence Foce, An Australian soldier has been killed in a rocket attack in Oruzgan Province in Afghanistan. He is the eighth Australian casualty in Afghanistan since 2001. The announcement was made in Canberra by the Chief of the Defence Foce, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston. Click the Play button to listen to ACM Houston's press conference. LISTEN This is the text of a media release from the Defence Department: An Australian soldier in Afghanistan has been killed in a rocket attack whilst conducting operations in Oruzgan Province. Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Angus Houston, said the soldier was killed early yesterday evening, Australian time. “Taliban insurgents engaged an Afghan forward operating base with rockets. An Australian element was deployed at the base during this attack. “As a result of this indirect fire it is with regret that I inform you that an Australian soldier has been killed. No other Australian soldiers, or other coalition nationals, were wounded in this attack. “The soldier was killed instantly when a rocket exploded in the compound,” ACM Houston said. Defence has notified the immediate family of the soldier involved and is providing assistance to them during this very difficult time. ACM Houston extended his condolences to the family. “To the family I want to convey that I am terribly sorry for their loss. Though I can bring them no comfort at this time, I do want them to know they are in the thoughts and prayers of a grateful nation. I will ensure they are provided with caring support as they endure their devastating loss. “Despite the tragic loss of this soldier, our operations will continue and we will not be deterred, nor our resolve lessened, from taking the fight to the Taliban,” ACM Houston said. At the request of the soldier’s family the ADF will not release his personal details at this time. AustralianPolitics.com no http://australianpolitics.com/2008/10/22/east-timor-troop-numbers-to-be-cut.html http://australianpolitics.com/2008/10/22/east-timor-troop-numbers-to-be-cut.html#comments Wed, 22 Oct 2008 05:35:51 +0000 Malcolm Farnsworth http://australianpolitics.com/?p=334 http://australianpolitics.com/2008/10/22/east-timor-troop-numbers-to-be-cut.html/feed 0 http://australianpolitics.com/2007/02/23/war-on-terror-is-battle-of-ideas-cheney.html http://australianpolitics.com/2007/02/23/war-on-terror-is-battle-of-ideas-cheney.html#comments Fri, 23 Feb 2007 04:52:29 +0000 Malcolm Farnsworth http://australianpolitics.com/?p=3054 http://australianpolitics.com/2007/02/23/war-on-terror-is-battle-of-ideas-cheney.html/feed 0 http://australianpolitics.com/2007/02/15/new-us-military-base-for-geraldton.html http://australianpolitics.com/2007/02/15/new-us-military-base-for-geraldton.html#comments Thu, 15 Feb 2007 04:38:00 +0000 Malcolm Farnsworth http://australianpolitics.com/?p=3050 http://australianpolitics.com/2007/02/15/new-us-military-base-for-geraldton.html/feed 0 http://australianpolitics.com/1999/10/24/new-head-of-defence-department-appointed.html http://australianpolitics.com/1999/10/24/new-head-of-defence-department-appointed.html#comments Sun, 24 Oct 1999 04:45:02 +0000 Malcolm Farnsworth http://australianpolitics.com/?p=3300 http://australianpolitics.com/1999/10/24/new-head-of-defence-department-appointed.html/feed 0