Parliamentary Secretary launches the 2010 Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program

Monday, Feb 08, 2010

The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, today launched the 2010 Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program (ADFPP). The program allows Senators and Members of Parliament a unique opportunity to develop a deeper appreciation of the effort it takes to become a proficient and professional member of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

"This year's ADFPP will be the third that I have launched.  The program is a really positive aspect of my portfolio responsibilities, and I have received some excellent feedback about it from my colleagues over the past two years," Dr Kelly said.

Senators and Members of Parliament are offered a number of ADF attachment options, which range from 5-10 days.  Twenty attachment options are on offer this year, including attachments to five operational areas including Afghanistan, East Timor and the Solomon Islands.

Other options available include, opportunities to participate in Exercise KAKADU, a maritime exercise to be conducted with regional defence forces out of Darwin; to undertake long range patrolling duties of Australia's north with members of the North West Mobile Force, which is comprised of soldiers drawn primarily from indigenous communities; through to spending a week at the RAAF's largest operational base at Amberley which will, this year, become home to the Super Hornet.

"Since it's inception in 2001 a total of 105 parliamentarians have participated in the program, last year there were a record 45 participants, including 15 newcomers," Dr Kelly said.

"This is an important initiative which offers a unique insight into the world of the ADF, and an opportunity to experience what it's like to work alongside the men and women of today's modern Defence Force" Dr Kelly said.

Source: Australian Government