Paliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence - Search for a Chair of the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal - 13 June 2014

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, the Honourable Darren Chester MP, today announced that the position of Chair of the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal is being advertised.

“The appointment of the current Chair of the Tribunal is set to become vacant in September, and as this is a statutory appointment, the position will be advertised in accordance with Government policy,” Mr Chester said. 

As well as leading particular inquiries, the role of the Chair is to manage the Tribunal, attend panel hearings and meetings, convene meetings of the whole Tribunal when required and make recommendations to Government on matters referred to the Tribunal for review.

“I am confident that the selection process currently underway will find a person who has the experience, qualifications and expertise as an independent professional to undertake the role of the Chair and to lead the Tribunal in its vital work,” Mr Chester said.

In order to undertake such a role, some of the qualities that a potential candidate might possess include:

• Being well respected, with proven experience in leadership roles, although not necessarily in Defence or veterans’ areas,
• Having a legal background or experience in administrative decision making; and
• Having a sound knowledge of the higher workings of government.

The Tribunal is an independent statutory body established under the Defence Act 1903 to consider defence honours and awards issues. The Chair and ten-member positions are part-time.

Advertisements will appear in a range of national newspapers.

Further information on the work of the Tribunal can be found at www.defence-honours-tribunal.gov.au  

Media contact:

Chloe Petch (Darren Chester’s office) 0477 395 356