Rex Patrick (SA, Centre Alliance) Share this | Hansard source

Just changing tack slightly: I'll refer you to a question that was asked by Mr Melham of the Prime Minister on 18 November 2004. I don't expect you to be able to recall that from your memory. What he asked was this:

(1) What was the nature of the Governor-General's participation in the national counter-terrorism exercise known as Mercury 04?

(2) Did the Governor-General's participation in the Mercury 04 exercise relate to procedures for calling out of the Australian Defence Force?

In an answer to that, the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, said:

The Governor-General participated in exercise Mercury 04 through simulated Executive Council meetings. The purpose of these meetings was for the Governor-General, acting on the advice of senior ministers, to consider applications for call out of the Australian Defence Force in support of state and territory civilian authorities, in accordance with arrangements set out under the National Counter-Terrorism Plan.

So it's very clear that back in 2004 we exercised or practised the command structures and the decision-making process of the Governor-General.

I would note, as I indicated in my second reading speech, that I think the Governor-General is not simply a rubber stamp in this: he has to be satisfied as to advice. In response to a question I asked at a recent estimates, the Official Secretary to the Governor-General indicated that General Cosgrove has not been involved in any exercises of call-out. I of course note that General Cosgrove is a former Chief of Defence Force and a former Chief of Army. Now that you are in some sense lowering the threshold and so increasing the possibility of call-out, what measures is the government putting in place to make sure that command structure is practised, not just with the Governor-General but in circumstances where the Governor-General is not available—it might be a case of a state governor. I'm wondering what your contingencies and plans are to make sure that the exercise of call-out decision-making will be conducted into the future.