Valuable experience gained from recent Australian Defence Force (ADF) deployments overseas were among the factors prompting modifications and improvements to the new Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) facility near Bungendore, Defence Minister Robert Hill announced today.

Senator Hill said the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, had reviewed the higher command structure of the ADF to make it more streamlined and effective in the light of lessons learned from recent successful deployments and swiftly evolving command, control and communications systems and methods.

"As a result of the review, the Chief of the Defence Force has advised me that the number of staff places needed at the new Headquarters Joint Operations Command facility outside Canberra will be 750. This compares with the original estimated total of approximately 1185 staff envisaged when the tenders were called in late 2004 to build the new headquarters," Senator Hill said.

"I have endorsed this advice, and I commend Air Chief Marshal Houston and his senior leadership for being prepared to capitalise on the new opportunities being presented in this information age.

"This supports the lessons we are learning about the command and conduct of operations."

Senator Hill said the three shortlisted tenderers would be given the opportunity to revise their bids to reflect the new structure flowing from the more streamlined headquarters.

The target date of early to mid-2008 for the new headquarters to become fully operational remains the Government’s intention.

"The new integrated HQJOC, under the command of the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, would give the ADF a much more effective and efficient operational command and control structure," Senator Hill said.