Senator the Hon David Johnston
18 Dec 14
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Senator the Hon David Johnston
Minister for Defence
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2 July 2014
Defence Minister David Johnston has praised the Australian War Memorial for its publication of The Good International Citizen: Volume III of the Official History of Peacekeeping, Humanitarian and Post-Cold War Operations.
Speaking today at the launch of volume 3 of the six-volume official history, Senator Johnston commended authors Professor David Horner and Dr John Connor for a splendid job, noting the book’s release coincides with the approach of the centenary of the landing at Gallipoli in April 1915.
“This peacekeeping series covers more than 50 missions in some 27 conflicts over a period of 60 years and includes the activities of Australian police as well as the military,” said the Defence Minister.
“It also includes more than 60 emergency relief operations by the Australian Defence Force,” he added.
Except in a few cases, Australian military personnel were not deployed on warlike operations and fortunately they incurred a tiny number of casualties by comparison with earlier conflicts, but their missions were arduous and demanding, Senator Johnston said.
He also noted the valuable contribution to peacekeeping operations played by Australian Federal Police.
Media contacts:
Mark Dodd (Minister Johnston's Office) 0477 389 560
Estelle Blackburn (Australian War Memorial) 0409 600 038