THE HON. DR MIKE KELLY MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
002/2010
RECEPTION TO MARK FIRST YEAR OF OPERATIONS OF
ASIA PACIFIC CIVIL-MILITARY CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
The Asia-Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence, a key initiative in the
Government’s strategy for developing a more effective civil-military capability,
has marked one year of operation.
The Asia Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence was established in late
2008. The Centre’s mission is to support the development of national civil-
military capabilities to prevent, prepare for, and respond more effectively to
conflicts and disasters overseas.
The need for improved national civil-military coordination for disaster and
conflict management was an important lesson learned from Australia’s
significant involvement in peace operations and responses to natural disasters
such as the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
Located in Queanbeyan near Canberra, the Centre has already established a
credible reputation at home and abroad in advancing Australia’s commitment
to enhanced civil-military relations.
In its first year of operation, the Centre conducted the Civil-Military Interaction
Seminar attended by more than 100 civilians as well as military and police
officers from more than 20 countries, assisted the African Union to develop
guidelines for the protection of civilians in conflict zones, and developed a
conceptual framework to assist inter-agency collaboration for whole-of-
government mission planning, decision making and implementation.
In addition, the Centre has established important links with regional bodies,
the United Nations and other key international organisations.
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon Dr Mike Kelly MP, said
“The Centre plays a key role in capturing lessons learned in complex
operations, hosting international conferences, facilitating training and
education, and strengthening linkages between regional and international
agencies and institutions engaged in operations”.
Dr Kelly will host a reception at Parliament House this evening to mark the
first year of operations of the Centre. Invited guests include the Chief of the
Defence Force, Vice Chief of the Defence Force and Service Chiefs, senior
officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Attorney-
General’s Department, AusAID, and the Australian Federal Police, as well as
diplomats, academics, and representatives from business and the non-
government sector.
In April, the Centre will host the 3rd International Forum for the Challenges of
attended by more than 200 delegates from more than 20 countries. The
Centre will also assist in the development of the Australian Civilian Corps by
providing civil-military training.
The Centre’s Deputy Director is provided by the New Zealand Government,
and Non-Government Organisation advice is provided by a representative
from the Australian Council for International Development. The Centre is
administered by the Department of Defence and comprised of personnel from
Defence, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Attorney General’s
Department, the Australian Agency for International Development, and the
Australian Federal Police.
For more information on the Asia-Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence go
Media contacts:
Elyse Gatt (Dr Mike Kelly):
02 6277 4840 or 0437 502 246
Barbara Butler (Asia-Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence)
02 6160 2219 or 0412 494 634
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
