Friday, 1 May 2009

DEFENCE HONOURS & AWARDS TRIBUNAL INQUIRES INTO VARIOUS RECOGNITION ISSUES FOR SERVICE IN VIETNAM

The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon. Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, announced today that the independent Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal will inquire into recognition for Royal Australian Air Force personnel who served in Vietnam between 29 March and 29 April 1975 and Australian entertainers who entertained troops in Vietnam between 1964 and 1973 with United States concert parties.

"I am pleased that the Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal will inquire into these long standing recognition issues dating from the Vietnam conflict," Dr Kelly said.

"These two inquiries represent a continuation of reviews into long standing Defence honours and awards issues identified by the Government in 2007."

Calls for submisisons will be released shortly in the national press. Submissions to the inquiry close on Monday, 1 June 2009.

"Many people have raised these two issues and I would encourage them to now take advantage of this opportunity to make a submission to the Tribunal," Dr Kelly said.

The Tribunal can be contacted at:

Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal                                                                                                     Locked Bag 7765                                                                                                                                                      CANBERRA BUSINESS CENTRE  ACT  2610

Or via email to DHA.Tribunal@defence.gov.au

The terms of reference for the inquiry and guidance on how to make a submission can be obtained at: www.defence-honours-tribunal.gov.au

Media contacts:                                                                                                                                                Mark Sjolander (Dr Mike Kelly):   02 6277 4840   or  0407 102 220                                                       Defence Media Liaison:                  02 6265 3343   or   0408 498 664