SENATOR JOHN FAULKNER
Minister for Defence
Saturday, 23 January 2010
004/2010
DEFENCE MINISTER, SENATOR FAULKNER
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, STEPHEN SMITH
AUSTRALIAN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS TO
ASSIST IN HAITI
The Government has approved the deployment of a small team of Defence Air Traffic
Controllers to assist efforts in earthquake ravaged Haiti.
The Air Traffic Controllers will augment the United States effort to ensure a
synchronised and effective operation.
They are expected to deploy early next week.
The decision was made after a US request for Air Traffic Controllers.
Air Traffic Controllers provide a highly specialised capability to provide the safe and
effective control of military and civil aircraft.
RAAF Air Traffic Controllers have deployed with distinction to Baghdad, Sinai,
Somalia, East Timor, Solomon Islands, Banda Aceh and Sudan.
Australia has now pledged A$15 million in emergency relief and rehabilitation
assistance in response to the earthquake.
The initial $10 million for immediate response will contribute to life-saving activities.
There will also be $5 million made available for longer-term assistance following UN
assessment of the requirements.
The ADF has an excellent reputation internationally for providing humanitarian
assistance when emergencies such as this occur.
Media contacts:
Colin Campbell (Minister Faulkner): 0407 787 181
Courtney Hoogen (Minister Smith): 0488 244 901
Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
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