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The Australian Defence Force (ADF) and an Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) have concluded their support at Burnie’s North West Regional Hospital (NWRH) following an outbreak of COVID-19 amongst its staff. Fifty members of the ADF and seven AUSMAT health professionals ensured the Emergency Department remained open, providing essential health services to more than 400 patients.

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong Boon Wurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin, and pay my respects to their elders, past and present. As the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have served our nation in the past and continue to do so today.

Australia has concluded its contribution to the Afghan National Army Officer Academy in Qargha near Kabul. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said Australian advisors at Afghan training establishments made a valuable contribution to the future security of Afghanistan. “Our personnel have been vital to the establishment of national institutions such as the Afghan National Army Officer Academy in October 2013,” Minister Reynolds said.

Joint media release Prime Minister of Australia, The Hon Scott Morrison MP Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency Management, The Hon David Littleproud MP   The Australian Defence Force (ADF) will increase its support to fire authorities, deploying additional specialist personnel to advise Incident Controllers at Fire Control Centres in New South Wales.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) Cyber Gap Program is now underway, offering financial support, mentoring and Defence work experience opportunities for cyber students across Australia.   There are 48 students enrolled in this year’s pilot Program, prior to a larger intake of 250 students in 2021. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the Program, which is run in partnership with the Digital Transformation Agency, represents an important step in diversifying the Defence cyber workforce.

Joint media release: Minister for Aged Care, Minister for Sport, The Hon Annika Wells MP Australian Defence Force (ADF) contributions to aged care facilities under Operation COVID-19 Assist, which has been providing support to aged care homes impacted by the pandemic, will come to an end on 30 September 2022.

Issued by Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Acting Defence Minister Joint media release: the Hon David Littleproud, Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management   

Four Royal Australian Navy vessels and almost 700 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have arrived in Hawaii ahead of two weeks of training involving 10 nations during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2020 (RIMPAC). Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said Australia’s participation in this year’s RIMPAC exercise reflects our close alliance with the United States and the strength of Australia’s military relationships with its regional defence partners.

More than 1600 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have arrived in the United States ahead of a month of focused military training activities with 26 nations from across the globe for Exercise Rim-of-the-Pacific (RIMPAC) 2018.The ADF has deployed HMA Ships Adelaide, Success, Toowoomba and Melbourne which have been part of the Indo Pacific Endeavour 2018 task group, one submarine, diving personnel, an amphibious landing force from the 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, and one P-8A Poseidon aircraft to RIMPAC.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is expanding its support to quarantine compliance efforts after National Cabinet’s decision to raise incoming passenger caps. Additional ADF personnel will support quarantine arrangements following requests from New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.

More than 40,000 Australian Defence Force (ADF) family members have joined the National ADF Family Health Program since it was launched in January 2014. Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert, said the program was a key Coalition election commitment and hoped the number of ADF family members signing up for the program would continue to grow. “As of May 2015 almost 60 per cent of all ADF dependants have signed up for the program and now receive gap-free GP services and up to $400 per dependant for recognised allied health care services,” Mr Robert said.

Applications have opened for the 2018 Australian Defence Force (ADF) Gap Year program. Minister for Defence Personnel Dan Tehan said the program offered young Australians an exciting opportunity to earn a good wage, gain valuable skills and receive subsidised accommodation and meals as well as full medical and dental cover. There are 570 positions available across Army, Navy and Air Force for 17-24 year olds with a year 12 education. Last year Defence had 3,519 applications for 495 positions and 35 per cent of participants were women.

AUSTRALIAN Service Contingents 1 and 2 who served in Rwanda on Operation Tamar were today recognised with the award of a Meritorious Unit Citation. Operation Tamar was Australia’s contribution to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda, which consisted of sending approximately 700 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel in two contingents to provide medical support and security for the medics.

Around 250 Australian Defence Force (ADF) members from Task Group Taji Rotation 9 have returned home in time for Christmas following a successful deployment to Iraq.The group, which is comprised of troops from 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment and the wider 7th Brigade as well as the New Zealand Defence Force, touched down in Brisbane this morning following their six-month deployment.Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC acknowledged the contribution the Task Group had made during their deployment.

Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, veterans and ACT Emergency Services Agency personnel dealing with health and wellbeing challenges will benefit with the resumption of the Arts for Recovery, Resilience, Teamwork and Skills (ARRTS) program. Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester said the program had been suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions, but had resumed at the beginning of this month with 20 participants.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has increased its support to the people of Papua New Guinea (PNG) as a series of severe aftershocks continue to affect the country’s remote Highland areas. In response to a request from the PNG Government, a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-17 Globemaster, loaded with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) supplies and ADF personnel departed from Townsville today. 

The annual Defence Employer Support Awards has recognised leading employers across Australia for their contribution and support to Australian Defence Force (ADF) reservists. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel Andrew Gee said the awards showcase employers that have demonstrated outstanding support to their staff who conduct ADF service. “The Australian Government recognises and values the contribution made by ADF reservists and their employers to Defence capability,” Minister Gee said

EMPLOYERS across Australia who support our Australian Defence Force (ADF) Reservists were today acknowledged at the annual Defence Employer Support Awards. Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester said the awards showcased employers that actively supported their Reservists to undertake their defence training and service.  “We have more than 25,000 active Reservists who contribute vital skills and capability to the defence of our nation, but who are also supported by their civilian employers,” Mr Chester said. 

Australian Defence Force (ADF) reservists and their civilian employers across Australia have been recognised for their contribution to Defence capability through the 2022 Prince of Wales Awards.  Assistant Minister for Defence, the Hon Andrew Hastie MP, said the awards are an opportunity to thank reservists and their employers, who actively support them, through funding to undertake training and professional development.

We arrive at a time which is as strategically complex as any since the end of the Second World War in terms of our national security and the needs of our defence procurement. That is why today, the Albanese Government announces the terms of the Chief of the Defence Force, Angus Campbell AO DSC, and the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Vice Admiral David Johnston AC RAN, will be extended by two years. Additionally, the Government has asked the CDF to extend the term of the Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Greg Bilton AO CSC, for two years.

More than 1,600 members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) have successfully completed Exercise RIMPAC 2018, the world’s largest multinational maritime exercise. Exercise RIMPAC 2018 culminated this week in a major multi-national amphibious landing activity, following four weeks of gunnery, missile, anti-submarine and air-defence exercises, as well as maritime interdiction and vessel boardings, explosive ordnance disposal, diving and salvage operations, and mine clearance operations.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has commenced its support to US-led recovery operations following the MV-22 Osprey incident in Shoalwater Bay on Saturday, 5 August. Royal Australian Navy (RAN) survey ship HMAS Melville arrived in Shoalwater Bay overnight. Shortly after commencing survey operations in the area, the submerged aircraft was located. This morning our RAN Clearance Diving team arrived in Rockhampton and has since embarked on HMAS Melville via landing craft.

Throughout the pandemic the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has been postured to respond to requests for support from the states and territories at very short notice.  From 21 March 2020, ADF planning teams were established in every state and territory to rapidly facilitate any requests for support.  Following the Prime Minister’s offer on 27 March 2020 for ADF support to states and territories with the new mandatory 14-day quarantine period for international arrivals, the ADF discussed requirements with relevant state and territory authorities.

Issued by Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Acting Defence Minister  Joint media release: the Hon David Littleproud, Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, Deputy Leader of the Nationals Australian Defence Force (ADF) helicopters will today deploy to NSW to support search and rescue activities for the flood emergency. Additional ADF personnel and equipment will also deploy this week to assist with the clearance and recovery operation.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is working with emergency services, to assist with firefighting efforts in north-eastern New South Wales. As the Minister for Defence, I am focussed on ensuring the ADF are ready to provide additional support for the nation’s front line first responders. Last night a Royal Australian Air Force 737 Boeing Business Jet transported ACT Rural Fire Service firefighters from Canberra, and this morning a RAAF C-130J aircraft flew firefighters and equipment from Adelaide to Port Macquarie.

Joint media release: Minister for International Development and the Pacific. the Hon Alex Hawke MP REFEREES and sports trainers with a passion for rugby league in the Pacific region will benefit from a new virtual officials program developed by Defence in partnership with the National Rugby League and Sports Medicine Australia.

Australia continues to boost regional peacekeeping capabilities in South East Asia, in support of Vietnam’s second deployment to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). From 19-28 November 2019, a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-17 Globemaster provided strategic airlift support for Vietnamese military personnel and equipment on rotation to Level Two Field Hospital. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said this peacekeeping engagement with Vietnam reflects the strength of our strategic partnership.

Joint media release Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, the Hon. David Littleproud MP The Australian Defence Force (ADF) will support communities affected by the quick but damaging crossing of now ex-Tropical Cyclone Seroja over the Western Australian coast near Kalbarri last night.

Minister for Defence Personnel Dan Tehan said improved transition services for Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel had been rolled out across the country after successful pilot programs. In March, Mr Tehan announced individual career coaching services would be trialed at Townsville, Holsworthy and Adelaide bases. “ADF Transition Coaches are helping ADF personnel develop tailored career plans based on their unique skills, interests and career aspirations,” Mr Tehan said.

Minister for Defence Personnel Dan Tehan has paid tribute to the Australian Defence Force personnel who have volunteered their time to mentor a group of talented Tiwi Island young women ahead of a national AFL competition this week. Members of the Australian Defence Force Australian Rules (ADFAR) Women’s Indigenous team, the Guyala Seahawks, will mentor and assist 12 young women aged 15 to 16 in the lead up to the Bendigo Koori AFL carnival from 15-16 October 2016.