THE HON MAL BROUGH MP
MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
MINISTER ASSISTING THE MINISTER FOR DEFENCE

MEDIA RELEASE

MEDAL TO RECOGNISE SERVICE IN DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA


The Howard Government has today announced the intention to establish a new medal that recognises volunteer service in the Australian Defence Force.

All relevant approvals are now being sought to allow the award of this medal.

The Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Mal Brough, said those who had served for a total of six years in the Australian Defence Force, regular or reserve, would be eligible and the medal would be backdated to recognise past service.

"The Australian Defence Medal also reflects the fact that when serving in a modern Defence Force, it becomes difficult to discriminate between those who serve directly on operations and those who support those operations."

"The Australian Defence Medal reflects the fact that by serving in the Australian Defence Force individuals make a contribution to the national interest, whether they served the country on operations, or whether they remained in Australia in a support role."

"The war on terrorism has redefined the notions of a frontline or even an easily definable Area of Operations."

"Some tasks undertaken by soldiers, sailors and airmen remain invisible to the community at large but are very important to our nation's defence. These may include preparation and planning, intelligence and, indeed, other classified activities that for national security reasons can't be recognised by a specific award."

"The Australian Defence Medal will recognise all of these circumstances of service."

Mr Brough said the Australian Defence Medal would be retrospective from the end of World War Two, in order to recognise that many people in the past had served their nation in a variety of forms, sometimes arduous, but had not been recognised by an operational medal. However, those who completed National Service would not be eligible unless they subsequently volunteered and completed the requisite six years volunteer service.

"Six years reflects a length of time that we could be reasonably certain that most people would have completed the requisite training and experience in the Regular or Reserve forces, to be considered fully deployable should they have been called upon," Mr Brough said

"We believe these conditions also give effect to a motion from the Returned and Services League who agree with our desire to further recognise ADF service."

"The implementation of the medal will be a significant undertaking and the issue of medals to past servicemen will take time. It is estimated that up to 400,000 ex-servicemen and women may apply for this medal," Mr Brough said. "It is anticipated that once a design has been finalised and the medals have been struck, the issuing of medals could begin around middle of 2005."

"Operational and other demanding overseas service will still be recognised under the current arrangements. Processing and issuing of operational awards will take priority as the new Australian Defence Medal is being implemented.

"Nonetheless, the Australian Defence Medal provides the Government and the Australian people the ability to recognise those service men and women who do volunteer and serve the flag in a variety of roles and are prepared, should the call come, to put their lives on the line," Mr Brough said.

 

PUSH FOR NEW ADF MEDAL
'MEDAL OF RECOGNITION'


Medal shown is for illustration only

Please read the following information provided by Allan 'Shorty' Moffatt, Honorary Secretary of the RANCBA NSW
(All correspondence on the issue to Shorty please)

As you may or may not be aware, there is a big push up here to have a New Medal granted to all serving and ex-serving members, both male and female, from 1946 who have served for 2 (two) years in the ADF.  It will be a medal to recognise your service in the Australian Defence force with the nation recognising your commitment.

There are quite a few ex-Communicators who this does affect who, through no fault of their own, never served in Korea, FESR, Malaya, Borneo or Vietnam, or more recently on Peace Keeping duties, and very importantly ex-WRAN Communicators who were given no chance to serve anywhere North of COONAWARRA and who had to resign when they got married, thus missing the opportunity of ever getting a Long Service Medal.  At our last Committee meeting here in NSW we decided to support the New Medal Group, and since then they have been in touch to advise they are having their first meeting and Official Launch on the 28th November 2003.   I will be attending not only for NSW but for ALL COMMUNICATORS and this also includes ex-WRANS.

Therefore, so that we have a case to present to the Federal Government, we are hoping that members will sign a petition.  In the case of serving personnel, I was asked that you do not give your Rate/Rank or Official Number, just sign as per a normal petition - Name, Signature and your Home Address.  It is all legal and above board.

This will be of benefit to the RANCBA for past serving members, those presently serving and those who will serve in the future.  When you leave the service you may only receive a Certificate of Service, but if this is successful you will also have a Medal of Recognition showing that you have served the Nation, Australia.

As stated, I will be attending the Official Launch and I welcome any constructive messages, both for and against this proposal, as it will be here in Sydney and it is for ALL.  It is also hoped that those that have the opportunity to attend and give support, as they have asked if we could have our Association Banner displayed.  If enough advise me they will attend, I will take in our 'mini' RANCBA Banner.  The venue is the paddington-Woollahra RSL Club at 7pm on the 28th November 2003.

Anyone desiring a copy of the Petition form please send me a self-addressed envelope (plus stamp) and I will send it by return mail.  it does not have to be ex-ADF personnel who can sign, it can be neighbours, family or relatives whom you have told about this anomaly.

Anyway, it is hoped that all Communicators will give their support to what I consider a very worthy cause.

Allan 'Shorty' Moffatt
88 Bogalara Road
TOONGABBIE NSW 2146
Phone:  02 9631 8068
Email: shortym@mpx.com.au

Want to know more?  Follow the link below:
Reasons for a new 'Recognition Medal'