30 Oct 2009

PARLSEC70/09

DEFENCE HONOURS AND AWARDS TRIBUNAL INQUIRY into RECOGNITION FOR SERVICE IN PNG after 1975

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 members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for service in Papua New Guinea after 16 September 1975. 

“I am pleased that the Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal will inquire into recognition for service in Papua New Guinea (PNG) after 1975. This inquiry is another in a series of reviews into long-standing Defence honours and awards issues identified by the Australian Government in late 2007,’ Dr Kelly said. 

A call for submissions will be released shortly in the national press.  Submissions to the inquiry close on Monday, 23 November 2009.

“Many people have raised the issue of recognition for ADF service in PNG after 1975 with the Government, and I would encourage them to now take advantage of this opportunity to make a submission,” 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 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664