20 September 2008
Minister for Defence visits East Timor - Dili

The Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Minister for Defence, travelled to East Timor for his first visit to Dili.

The Minister met with Head of Mission in East Timor, Mr Peter Heyward and Commander of the International Stabilisation Force, Brigadier Mark Holmes MVO and travelled to Metinaro Specialist Training Centre.

The Minister was met by Chief of the Timor Defence Force, BRIG Taur Matan Ruak and Commanding Officer of the Defence Cooperation Program, Lieutenant Colonel Steven Ferndale for a tour of the facility.

After visiting Metinaro, the Minister returned to Dili and was met by LTCOL Wade Stothart Commanding Officer East Timor Battle Group 4 before having lunch with Australian Defence Force personnel at the Heliport (HPOD) followed by a tour of the capabilities on site.

The Minister then visited Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao before returning to Dili airport and departing for Australia.

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The Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Minister for Defence is welcomed to East Timor by Commander of the International Stabilisation Force, Brigadier Mark Holmes.

(Date taken: 19 September 2008)
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The Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Minister for Defence, is given a safety brief by Corporal Mark Connery.

(Date taken: 19 September 2008)
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The Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Minister for Defence and Commander of the International Stabilisation Force, Brigadier Mark Holmes are guided around the Black Hawk by Corporal Mark Connery.

(Date taken: 19 September 2008)
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The Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Minister for Defence shares a laugh with Corporal David Owen during lunch at a Forward Operating Base the Minister visited during his trip to East Timor.

(Date taken: 19 September 2008)
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The Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Minister for Defence talks to Corporal Peter Bryce, while Commander of the International Stabilisation Force, Brigadier Mark Holmes and Lieutenant Colonel Wade Stothart Commanding Officer East Timor Battle Group 4 listen in.

(Date taken: 19 September 2008)
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The Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Minister for Defence, talks to Corporal Steve Scott during a visit to a Forward Operating Base during a visit to East Timor.

(Date taken: 19 September 2008)
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The Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Minister for Defence, talks to Sergeant Michael Carroll about the Bicycle Mounted Infantry Patrols that his unit has been performing in Dili.

(Date taken: 19 September 2008)
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Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao welcomes The Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Minister for Defence during their meeting in Dili, East Timor.

(Date taken: 19 September 2008)
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The Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Minister for Defence, talks to troops at a Forward Operating Base during his visit to Dili East Timor.

(Date taken: 19 September 2008)
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The Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Minister for Defence, talks to troops at a Forward Operating Base during his visit to Dili East Timor.

(Date taken: 19 September 2008)
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The Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Minister for Defence, talks to Lieutenant Nick Andrew during his visit to a Forward Operating Base in Dili East Timor.

(Date taken: 19 September 2008)
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The Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Minister for Defence, gives Chief of the Timor Defence Force, Brigadier Taur Matan Ruak a boomerang as a gift during his visit to Metinaro Specialist Training Centre.

(Date taken: 19 September 2008)
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The Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Minister for Defence, is thanked by Chief of the Timor Defence Force, Brigadier Taur Matan Ruak for visiting the Metinaro Specialist Training Centre.

(Date taken: 19 September 2008)
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The Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Minister for Defence, talks to troop at a Forward Operating Base during his visit to Dili East Timor.

(Date taken: 19 September 2008)
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The Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Minister for Defence, talks to Lieutenant Nick Andrew during his visit to a Forward Operating Base in Dili, East Timor.

(Date taken: 19 September 2008)
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