DR KELLY ANNOUNCES MEMBERS OF INDEPENDENT PANEL TO REVIEW THE ADF CADET SCHEME

The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon. Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, today announced the Chair and members of the independent panel to review the Australian Defence Force Cadet Scheme.

Lieutenant General Frank Hickling AO, CSC (Retd) will Chair the panel, and he will be assisted by Colonel Lesley Woodroffe (Retd) and Mr Terrence Winner. 

“I’m very pleased that these individuals have agreed to be on the independent panel.  All of them bring unique expertise and personal experience to the review.  These appointments ensure a combination of military, community and professional experience as well as a civilian, military and gender balance,” Dr Kelly said.

Lieutenant General Hickling retired as Chief of Army in 2000.  He had a distinguished career of 40 years in the Army, which included postings as Land Commander, Commandant of the Australian Defence Force Academy and regimental postings with the Royal Australian Corps of Engineers.

Colonel Woodroffe enlisted in the Australian Regular Army in 1978 undertaking officer training at the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) School at Mosman, Sydney, on graduation being the recipient of the leadership prize.  During her career in the Army, Lesley was a member of the Corps of Transport and undertook regimental postings in Albury and Brisbane.  Lesley retired from the Army in 1990 and transferred to the Army Reserve.  While undertaking service with the Army Reserve since 1990, Lesley has had several postings including command of the Australian Army Cadets-Southern Queensland.

Mr Winner is currently the Executive Officer of the Eastern Goldfields YMCA in Kalgoorlie.  In 2007 Mr Winner was working as the Manager of Youth Programs at Eastern Goldfields YMCA.  He identifies “the establishment of a strong social, cultural and personal identity” as the most important issue for the Australian Government in relation to youth.

“The Scheme teaches young Australians the importance of contributing to the community, and I am keen to ensure that the Scheme meets community expectations,” Dr Kelly said.

“This review is incredibly important in establishing what kind of Cadet Scheme young people want to participate in as we move through the 21st century.  The review will identify, through community consultation, what the objectives of the Scheme should be, along with community expectations around accountability and transparency in its administration,” Dr Kelly said.

Dr Kelly has directed the review panel to report immediately on any issues of concern in relation to Defence’s duty of care obligations in respect of Cadets.  The panel’s final report is due to be provided to Dr Kelly by 21 November 2008.

Media contacts:

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

Defence Media Liaison:                  02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664