Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Dr Mike Kelly, today announced that the Asia Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence has been officially renamed the Australian Civil-Military Centre.
The name change was chosen to reflect Australia’s focus on civil-military issues that impact upon responses to conflict and disaster management operations in countries both in the Asia-Pacific region and more globally.
“The Australian Civil-Military Centre was established to contribute purposefully to the development of effective civil-military engagement in conflict and disaster management operations throughout the region and beyond,” Dr Kelly said.
“Australia has a long history of responding to calls for assistance in response to disasters throughout the Asia-Pacific region and contributing to peacekeeping missions around the world.
“While the Asia-Pacific region continues to be a strong focus for Australia, the Government commits significant resources to areas of need outside our region and it is fitting that the Centre’s name reflects this global focus.”
Officially opened on 27 November 2008 and based in Queanbeyan, the Australian Civil-Military Centre was tasked with improving Australia’s effectiveness in civil-military collaboration for conflict and disaster management operations overseas.
The Centre actively engages with Australian Government departments and agencies to develop and promote best practice on issues of civil-military engagement.
The Centre’s staff are drawn from a number of Australian Government departments and agencies including Defence, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Attorney-Generals, AusAID, and the Australian Federal Police. Staff have also been seconded from the New Zealand Government, and the NGO sector through the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID).
In the three years since it opened, the Centre has contributed to the growing body of knowledge of civil-military issues and has established important links with regional bodies, the United Nations, the African Union and other key international organisations around the globe.
For more information about the Centre and its programs, please visit www.acmc.gov.au
Media contacts:
Dr Kelly’s Office: Elyse Gatt: 02 6277 4840 or 0459 810 654
Department: (02) 6127 1999