AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE PARLIAMENTARY PROGRAM LAUNCHED FOR 2008

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, today launched the 2008 Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program (ADFPP), an initiative that gives Senators and Members of Parliament a taste of what it is like to serve in the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Dr Kelly said the ADFPP provides a unique opportunity for parliamentarians to gain a more fully informed appreciation of the ADF .

"Since its inception in 2001 more than 70 parliamentarians have participated in the program, gaining a unique and often intimate first hand experience of the challenges of service life, as well as a broader understanding of the capabilities of the Australian Defence Force. The program will enable parliamentarians to contribute to debate on Defence and national security issues in a more informed manner," Dr Kelly said.

Parliamentarians are offered a number of ADF attachment options each calendar year, programmed during the autumn and winter recesses.

Fifteen different attachment options are programmed for this year, including deployment during RIMPAC 2008, Special Air Service Regiment Selection Course participation, patrol and training activities with NORFORCE in remote Northern Australia and with the Air Force Combat Support Group at RAAF Base Amberley.

In 2003 an exchange element was introduced which involved attaching ADF members to a parliamentarian’s office at Parliament House during a sitting week.

“This enables our future Defence leaders to have a greater understanding of the environment in which our elected officials operate. The mutual understanding achieved through this aspect of the program cannot be overstated,” Dr Kelly said.

Media contacts:

Mark Sjolander (Dr Mike Kelly):     02 6277 4840 or 0407 102 220

Defence Media Liaison:                  02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664