Working together to protect Australia - Australian Federal Police and Defence sign MoU
Joint Media Release
Minister for Home Affairs and Justice
The Hon. Jason Clare MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence
Senator David Feeney
25 January 2012
The Australian Federal Police and Defence are working together to make it easier for police officers who are also Defence Reservists to serve Australia in both capacities.
Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Justice Jason Clare said the Australian Federal Police and Defence work closely together in Australia and in many places around the world.
“I’ve been to Afghanistan, East Timor and Solomon Islands to see first-hand our Australian Federal Police and Defence Force working together to protect Australia,” Mr Clare said.
“This takes that one step further. About 175 Australian Federal Police members are also Defence Reservists, regularly serving here in Australia and in operations overseas.
“This MoU will make it easier for these Reservists to be deployed, go on exercises and undertake periods of ADF training.”
The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney, today welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in Canberra.
“Defence Reservists play an important role in Australia’s national security interests – both at home and abroad,” Senator Feeney said.
“It can be challenging for employers to release their employees for service on Defence operations and this is particularly the case for our Federal Police.
“The MoU will outline support avenues for AFP members who are also Reservists, and help streamline their release from police roles when they are required to undertake Defence service.
“The MoU will also strengthen the management and communication between the two agencies in relation to a shared workforce under the Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act 2001.”
AFP Acting Commissioner Peter Drennan joined the Head of Defence’s Cadet, Reserve and Employer Support Division Major General Paul Brereton to sign the MOU.
“Members of the AFP have a long and successful history of involvement in the reservist program,” Acting Commissioner Drennan said.
“I am very pleased that this new agreement will allow them to make this valuable contribution even more smoothly and effectively.
Major General Brereton said Defence was working to formalise relationships with police and emergency services across Australia.
“MoUs, such as the one signed today, clarify the relationship and responsibilities of both employers, so that they work in harmony in the national interest,” Major General Brereton said.
“As such, the signing of an MoU between the AFP and Defence will benefit all parties involved.”
Media Contact:
Korena Flanagan (Clare) 02 6277 7290
Adam Carr (Feeney) 02 6277 3415