THE HON. DR MIKE KELLY MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support
Monday, 23 February 2009
027 /2009
AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE PARLIAMENTARY
PROGRAM LAUNCHED FOR 2009
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon Dr Mike Kelly AM MP,
today launched the 2009 Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program
(ADFPP), an initiative that gives Senators and Members of Parliament a taste of
what it is like to serve in the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
Dr Kelly said the ADFPP provides a unique opportunity for parliamentarians to
gain a more fully informed appreciation of the ADF.
"Since its inception in 2001, 83 parliamentarians have participated in the
program, gaining a unique and often intimate first hand experience of the
challenges of service life, as well as a broader understanding of the capabilities of
the ADF" Dr Kelly said.
Parliamentarians are offered a number of ADF attachment options each calendar
year, programmed during the Autumn and Winter recesses.
Twenty different attachment options are programmed for this year, including five
Operational areas ranging from the Middle East to the Solomons.
Other options include opportunities to participate in the Special Air Service
Regiment Selection Course, undertake a sea ride in a Collins Class Submarine,
and spend a week at the RAAF’s largest operational base at Amberley, which is
the home of the F-111 and the RAAF’s newest aircraft, the C-17 Globemaster.
In 2003 an exchange element was introduced which involved attaching ADF
members to a parliamentarian’s office at Parliament House during a sitting week.
“This enables our future Defence leaders to have a greater understanding of the
environment in which our elected officials operate. The mutual understanding
achieved through this aspect of the Program cannot be overstated” Dr Kelly said.
Media contacts:
Mark Sjolander (Dr Mike Kelly):
02 6277 4840 or 0407 102 220
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
