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Australian Defence Force Reservists and their families will benefit from a trial Reserve Assistance Program that offers a comprehensive range of support services for their mental health and wellbeing. Assistant Minister for Defence Stuart Robert said the extension of the program to the Reserve workforce builds on existing mental health and wellbeing strategies implemented by Defence.

A refurbishment program will be undertaken and upgrades made to the existing houses at Seaward Village Assistant Minister for Defence Michael McCormack MP and Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop MP announced today. An independent review into Defence Housing Australia’s proposed redevelopment of Seaward Village was announced last November following concerns being raised by residents and the local community.

Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert, today announced an extension of funding for the Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC) at their annual conference in Canberra. Mr Robert said the DMTC is a member of the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Association and is funded in part by the Federal Government through the Defence Future Capability Technology Centre Program, in collaboration with the Victorian, New South Wales and Queensland State Governments and industry partners.

The Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), together with the Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert, and the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison, AO, today took part in the presentation of the Governor-General’s Banner to the 1st Recruit Training Battalion (1 RTB) in Wagga Wagga.

Technology to increase the chances of surviving helicopter accidents at sea has won the 2014 Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) Eureka Prize in support of Outstanding Science for Safeguarding Australia.  Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert, presented the award to Mr Tim Lyons of Western Australia-based company One Atmosphere as part of the 25th annual Australian Museum Eureka Prize ceremony.

A crowd of well-wishers today joined Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Assistant Minister for Defence Stuart Robert and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs AO, CSC, RAN at Garden Island, Sydney to welcome home HMAS Melbourne from a successful Middle East mission. The crew of 232 spent Christmas at sea, patrolling sea lanes to provide safe passage to legitimate mariners. Assistant Minister for Defence Stuart Robert congratulated the ship’s company of HMAS Melbourne on her successful deployment, which saw her intercept more than $1 billion in illegal drugs.

Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert reviewed a presentation by a group of Australian Defence Force men and women as part of the Arts for Recovery, Resilience, Teamwork and Skills (ARRTS) program. The ground breaking program, delivered in partnership with the University of Canberra, has been designed for service personnel experiencing service related health and well-being issues in their rehabilitation and recovery.

The independent Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal will conduct an inquiry into recognition of Australian personnel who served during the Second World War, were Far East Prisoners of War, and were killed while escaping or following recapture, Assistant Minister for Defence, Darren Chester, announced today.

TOM TILLEY:                         

TOM TILLEY:                                      And as you heard there, last week we spoke to the Minister in charge of Defence Assets like the Williamtown RAAF Base, and that's the Assistant Minister for Defence Michael McCormack, who joins us on the line to talk through this issue again. Michael thanks so much for joining us.

Australian athletes have begun returning home from the inaugural Invictus Games in London where the team claimed a total of 21 medals. The Invictus Games is an adaptive multi-sport competition for serving and former serving wounded, injured and ill military members. The Australian Defence Force and the Returned and Services League supported a team of 36 athletes, who participated in four days of intense competition with athletes from 13 other countries. The first group of returning athletes arrived at Sydney Airport early this morning.

Assistant Minister for Defence Stuart Robert today welcomed the announcement by His Royal Highness Prince Harry that the 2016 Invictus Games will be held in Orlando, Florida between 8-12 May. The Invictus Games is an international adaptive multi-sport competition for serving and former serving wounded, injured or ill military personnel. The 2014 Invictus Games in London attracted more than 400 athletes from 14 countries including Australia.

Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert, yesterday met with a defence research delegation from Israel to discuss areas of mutual interest including science and technology. The Israeli delegation was led by the Director of Defence Research and Development (MAFAT), Rear Admiral Ophir Shoham. Mr Robert said the meeting provided an opportunity to re-visit and expand upon some of the discussions he held with Israeli officials last year while leading an official Australian delegation to Israel.

Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert, today announced that a collaborative research program between the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and the US Navy has resulted in upgrades to the radar warning receiver in the Royal Australian Air Force’s F/A-18F Super Hornets. “A significant improvement to a defence capability has been realised through the exceptional collaborative work of Australian defence scientists and our US allies,” Mr Robert said.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has officially received the first trucks and trailers from two Australian companies on behalf of the Commonwealth as part of project LAND 121 Phase 3B. Assistant Minister for Defence the Hon Michael McCormack today congratulated Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Australia and Haulmark Trailers Australia on the delivery of the vehicles and trailers.

Today the Senate passed legislation that will establish a new superannuation scheme for members of the Australian Defence Force. The new military superannuation scheme, to be known as ADF Super, fixes one of the longest running grievances of the veteran and ex-service community, namely the lack of flexibility and portability of a member’s superannuation benefit when they leave the ADF.

The Government today introduced legislation establishing a new military superannuation scheme for members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and accompanying legislation to enable ADF members to work part time. The new military superannuation scheme, to be known as ADF Super, will for the first time allow ADF members to join the superannuation fund of their choice. They will also have access to a default military superannuation fund.

The Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert, today launched a new research centre dedicated to building Australia’s understanding of cyber threats. Mr Robert said the importance of cyber research could not be underestimated, particularly as attempts to infiltrate networks in the public and private sectors were becoming increasingly sophisticated.

MAJOR GENERAL PAUL BRERETON: Minister Stuart Robert, MP, Assistant Minister for Defence, Air Marshal Binskin, Acting Chief of the Defence Force, representatives of Chief of Navy, Chief of Army, Chief of Air Force and Deputy Secretary of Defence People, ladies and gentlemen.

Good afternoon. Today, it is my great pleasure to launch the Defence eHealth System – an electronic health record for every member of the ADF. The eHealth record is designed to increase the individual combat effectiveness of Australia’s military men and women and is another example of how the Government is providing high quality health care to ADF members. Health and its management is a major input to capability. You only have to look at what Howard Florey and his team did 75 years ago with their research into the effect of penicillin in combating bacterial disease.

Four exceptional employers have been recognised for their support of Australian Defence Force Reservists at the National Employer Support Awards in Canberra overnight. Presenting the awards on behalf of the Government was the Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert. “On behalf of a grateful Government I would like to say thank you to all of the winners for the outstanding support you have provided to employees who choose to serve in the Reserves,” Mr Robert said. “Your contribution to national security and the national interest is greatly appreciated.”

Five outstanding employers have been recognised for their support of Australian Defence Force Reservists at the National Employer Support Awards in Canberra overnight. The event was held at the Australian War Memorial and hosted by the Defence Reserves Support Council (DRSC). Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert, presented the awards to the winning employers.

The Defence International Training Centre (DITC) in Laverton, Victoria today marked a major milestone – the graduation of its 10,000th student. Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert, said DITC has been a pillar of Defence’s international engagement for 30 years, providing training for foreign military personnel from more than 50 countries. Mr Robert attended a special ceremony at DITC this morning, along with senior members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), foreign Defence Attaches and current staff and students.

In the lead-up to Christmas Assistant Minister for Defence Stuart Robert MP has encouraged Australians to show their support for Australian Defence Force members, particularly those deployed or recently deployed on overseas operations. “Christmas is traditionally a time of giving and selflessness and this Christmas I encourage all Australians to spare a thought for our Defence Personnel currently serving overseas and those who have returned home.

Assistant Minister for Defence Stuart Robert has completed a visit to the Northern Territory where he visited Australian personnel and international partners participating in Exercise TALISMAN SABRE 15. During his visit to the Top End Mr Robert also met with Territory leaders and key Defence stakeholders. Mr Robert said he enjoyed meeting with the men and women of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and US military personnel who have deployed from across the Pacific region for the biennial exercise, which runs between 5-21 July this year.

The Australian Government is investing $41 million to upgrade facilities and research capabilities at the Defence Science and Technology Organisation site at Fishermans Bend in Melbourne. Assistant Minister for Defence Stuart Robert today turned the first sod to mark the start of construction on DSTO’s Security and Facilities Upgrade Project. Cockram Constructions Pty Ltd has been appointed the Head Contractor for the project.

Parliament has approved a $276 million Defence facilities project to support the introduction of the new LAND 121 vehicle fleet, Assistant Minister for Defence Michael McCormack announced today. The facilities will assist in maintaining, supporting and sustaining the incoming LAND 121 vehicle fleet across the nation. Facilities works include new maintenance workshops and associated repair parts stores, weighbridges, loading and inspection ramps, wash points, fuel points, vehicle shelters and associated hardstand.

A group of 34 Indigenous men and women will today reach a personal and professional milestone when they complete the Defence Indigenous Pre Recruitment Course (IPRC) at HMAS Cerberus, Victoria. For six weeks participants from all over regional Australia focused on key areas of development including Indigenous and military cultural appreciation; health and life skills; military familiarisation training; language, literacy and numeracy; and career awareness and preparation.

The Assistant Minister for Defence, Darren Chester, presented the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Ensign to Weipa-based 112 Squadron (SQN), making them the newest Squadron to join 1 Wing Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC). Mr Chester said the formation of 112 SQN as a permanent squadron would ensure the youth of the Weipa community would now have a permanent and ongoing opportunity to participate in an adventurous youth organisation.

Assistant Minister for Defence Stuart Robert MP today officially opened the newly relocated Defence Force Recruiting Centre in Canberra’s CBD. The new centre, servicing a large area across the ACT and South East NSW, is designed to suit the increasing interest in the local region for a job in the Navy, Army or Air Force.    The new and larger centre will be a valuable asset to the local community as well as contributing to the defence of Australia and its national interests.