Senate debates

Tuesday, 8 May 2012

Questions on Notice

Australian Federal Police (Question No. 1731)

Photo of Christopher BackChristopher Back (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, upon notice, on 21 March 2012:

Given that members of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) serving in the Solomon Islands and Sudan on capacity building missions receive the Police Overseas Service Medal, can the Minister provide an explanation as to why AFP members deployed on similar, often hazardous, missions in locations such as Afghanistan, Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea are denied appropriate recognition by the awarding of the medal.

Photo of Joe LudwigJoe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | | Hansard source

The Minister for Home Affairs has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

The current Police Overseas Service Medal (POSM) Regulations recognise the service given by members of an Australian police force who perform a 'peacekeeping' service either as part of an international operation or following a request for assistance by a foreign government.

As the United Nations is a peacekeeping organisation, AFP members deployed as part of the UN missions to Sudan and Timor-Leste are eligible for the POSM.

The Regional Assistance Mission in the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has been declared a peacekeeping mission and members deployed to RAMSI are eligible for the POSM. The RAMSI mission is transitioning to capacity building and the AFP are monitoring this situation and will advise the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet when RAMSI is no longer considered peacekeeping and is therefore not eligible for the POSM.

Service in Papua New Guinea and Afghanistan have been determined as capacity building and training respectively. As this is not peacekeeping service, it does not fall under the current requirement for the POSM and members who deploy to these missions are not entitled to the award.

There are currently no awards within the Australian Honours system for police officers who perform overseas capacity building or training service. AFP members may be nominated and receive awards under the AFP's Internal Awards Framework specifically for such service/operations. These include awards such as the Commissioner's Medal for Excellence, Commendations and Group Citations for Bravery, Conspicuous Conduct, Excellent and Hazardous Overseas Service and the AFP Operations Medal.