THE HON. DR MIKE KELLY MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support
Friday, 29 August 2008
034/2008
DR KELLY TO DELIVER JOHN GEE MEMORIAL LECTURE
AT THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon. Dr Mike Kelly AM
MP, will today present the John Gee Memorial Lecture at the Australian
National University.
Focusing on the Government’s approach to regional security and middle
power diplomacy, Dr Kelly’s address will examine Australia’s role and capacity
to influence the changing global security environment, particularly in
Australia’s region.
Established in 2007, the annual John Gee Memorial Lecture honours
distinguished Australian diplomat and chemical weapons disarmament expert,
Dr John Gee. The Lecture is delivered by a prominent individual who has
made a significant contribution to peace and security in the Asia-Pacific
region.
Dr Kelly will draw on his substantial experience in the Australian Defence
Force to discuss the importance of civil-military cooperation in supporting
effective regional responses to both traditional and emerging security
challenges.
“Australia must engage proactively with the region to strengthen our ability to
deal with existing security challenges such as state fragility, terrorism and the
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. However we must also be
flexible enough to respond to unforseen events such as natural disasters and
health pandemics,” Dr Kelly said.
”No one country, particularly one with the geography and population of
Australia, can address these issues on its own. Multilateral problems need
multilateral solutions and contributions such as the Regional Assistance
Mission to the Solomon Islands and the international response to Cyclone
Nargis underline the continued need for concerted civil-military efforts.”
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 
