All releases

Public hearings for Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal's Long Tan honours review

The issue of recognition for Australian soldiers who fought in the Battle of Long Tan, Vietnam is to be reviewed by the independent Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal. The review follows an application on behalf of 13 soldiers by Lieutenant Colonel Harry Smith SG MC (Retd), one of the…

Assistant Minister for Defence – Joint Release – Re-enactment march to commemorate the Kurrajongs

The town of Inverell in north-west New South Wales has stopped to pay tribute to residents of the district who volunteered to serve in World War One with a full commemorative program centred around the re-enactment of the Kurrajongs recruitment march. Assistant Minister for Defence, Darren Chester…

Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Assistant Minister for Defence - Overseas deployment positive experience for ADF mothers

Australian Defence Force servicewomen with dependant children who served in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) found their experience of deployment positive and self-validating, according to research released today by Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Stuart Robert, and Assistant Minister for…

Assistant Minister for Defence - Joint Release - $1.46 Million to improve PTSD treatment for current and former Australian Defence Force members

The Hon Darren Chester MP Assistant Minister for Defence The Hon Stuart Robert MP Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Minister for Human Services Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC   The Australian Government will invest $1.46m in a research project to enhance…

Assistant Minister for Defence - Defence donations save more than 19,000 lives

Assistant Minister for Defence, Darren Chester has congratulated members of the Australian Defence Force and Defence civilians who have taken part in the 2015 Defence Blood Challenge. Mr Chester attended the Canberra Donor Centre to make a donation of plasma with Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Leo…

Assistant Minister for Defence - Defence highlights the significance of inclusion with lights up for International Day of People with Disability

Defence will raise awareness for the United Nations’ International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) on Thursday, 3 December 2015. As part of the celebrations for IDPwD, Defence will proudly participate in Lights Up for People with Disability during the week of 30 November 2015. The colours of…

Assistant Minister for Defence - Seaward Village

Assistant Minister for Defence, Darren Chester, has released the terms of reference for a review of the proposed redevelopment of Seaward Village. The review, commissioned by the Australian Government and to be conducted by Lieutenant General Mark Evans, will evaluate the development proposal and…

Assistant Minister for Defence - Inquiry into recognition for Far East Prisoners of War

The independent Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal will conduct an inquiry into recognition of Australian personnel who served during the Second World War, were Far East Prisoners of War, and were killed while escaping or following recapture, Assistant Minister for Defence, Darren Chester…

Federal Government supports commercial fishers in Tilligerry Creek and Fullerton Cove

The Federal Government will provide financial assistance to commercial fishers adversely affected by the NSW Government’s fishing bans in Tilligerry Creek and Fullerton Cove. As part of the support package, commercial fishers who derive the majority of their income from fishing in the areas…

Assistant Minister for Defence - Number 112 Squadron becomes official squadron

The Assistant Minister for Defence, Darren Chester, presented the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Ensign to Weipa-based 112 Squadron (SQN), making them the newest Squadron to join 1 Wing Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC). Mr Chester said the formation of 112 SQN as a permanent squadron would…

Assistant Minister for Defence - Redeveloped RAAF Base East Sale officially reopens with formal ceremony

The Assistant Minister for Defence and Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, and Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Leo Davies, AO, CSC, today officially opened the RAAF Base East Sale redevelopment. Minister Chester said that the day was an opportunity to celebrate the culmination of the past…

Assistant Minister for Defence - Call for veterans to apply for forfeited awards

Veterans, or the families of deceased veterans, who forfeited their medals have been urged to contact the Department of Defence. The Assistant Minister for Defence, the Hon Darren Chester MP, made the call today as he announced that the Australian Government had received the Report of the Inquiry…