Major General Maurie McNarn has been appointed Director of the Defence Intelligence
Organisation, Defence Minister Robert Hill announced today.
Senator Hill said MAJGEN McNarn will take up the position on the 24th
January 2005 replacing the current Director Frank Lewincamp, who is to be appointed
to another senior Defence position.
MAJGEN McNarn, who is currently Commander Training Command - Army, was selected
from a number of military and civilian candidates in a process recommended by
Mr Philip Flood AO in his recent Inquiry into Australia’s Intelligence Agencies.
Senator Hill said MAJGEN McNarn had a wealth of military experience after serving
in areas including Malaysia, Singapore, the United States and Middle East. In
2002 he was appointed Australian National Commander – Middle East Area of Operations
involving Operations Slipper, Bastille and Falconer during the War on Terrorism
and the War in Iraq.
"MAJGEN McNarn’s military experience will be of great value as DIO continues
the process of ensuring that its product is even more focussed on meeting the
strategic assessment needs of the ADF and in responding to Defence policy issues,"
Senator Hill said.
DIO is one of Australia’s key Defence intelligence analysis agencies. It is
also a centre for defence-related scientific and technical expertise to support
broader defence capability development and national counter-proliferation objectives.
The Flood report commended DIO for producing good quality strategic-level assessment.
It said the mix of analytical, technical and scientific expertise was a valuable
asset and significant strength in straddling the different worlds of policy
maker and ADF planner.
In announcing the appointment, Senator Hill commended Mr Lewincamp for steering
DIO through more than five years of dramatic change in intelligence priorities
and challenges.
"Mr Lewincamp has been among DIO’s longest serving directors having been
appointed in July 1999," Senator Hill said.
"During this time, the ADF has operated at a high tempo, including in
East Timor, the Middle East and Solomon Islands, and this has placed increased
demands on DIO.
"During this time, DIO has also had to come to grips with the major threat
to Australia’s security posed by the emergence of global Islamic extremist terrorism.
"Mr Lewincamp’s efforts to enhance the professionalism and standing of
DIO has been commendable."
Senator Hill wished both officers success in their new appointments.
Images and biography of Major General Maurie McNarn can be found at http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/Dec/141204.cfm
