THE HON. JASON CLARE MP   MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS  MINISTER FOR JUSTICE

SENATOR DAVID FEENEY  PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR  DEFENCE

MEDIA RELEASE

25 January 2012

Working together to protect Australia  Australian Federal Police and Defence sign MoU

The Australian Federal Police and Defence are working together to make it  easier for police officers who are also Defence Reservists to serve Australia in  both capacities.

Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Justice Jason Clare said the Australian  Federal Police and Defence work closely together in Australia and in many  places around the world.

“I’ve been to Afghanistan, East Timor and Solomon Islands to see first-hand our  Australian Federal Police and Defence Force working together to protect  Australia,” Mr Clare said.

“This takes that one step further. About 175 Australian Federal Police members  are also Defence Reservists, regularly serving here in Australia and in operations  overseas.

“This MoU will make it easier for these Reservists to be deployed, go on  exercises and undertake periods of ADF training.”

The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney, today  welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the  Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in  Canberra.

“Defence Reservists play an important role in Australia’s national security  interests - both at home and abroad,” Senator Feeney said.

“It can be challenging for employers to release their employees for service on  Defence operations and this is particularly the case for our Federal Police.

“The MoU will outline support avenues for AFP members who are also  Reservists, and help streamline their release from police roles when they are  required to undertake Defence service.

“The MoU will also strengthen the management and communication between the  two agencies in relation to a shared workforce under the Defence Reserve  Service (Protection) Act 2001.”

AFP Acting Commissioner Peter Drennan joined the Head of Defence’s Cadet,  Reserve and Employer Support Division Major General Paul Brereton to sign the  MOU.

“Members of the AFP have a long and successful history of involvement in the  reservist program,” Acting Commissioner Drennan said.

“I am very pleased that this new agreement will allow them to make this valuable  contribution even more smoothly and effectively.

Major General Brereton said Defence was working to formalise relationships with  police and emergency services across Australia.

“MoUs, such as the one signed today, clarify the relationship and responsibilities  of both employers, so that they work in harmony in the national interest,” Major  General Brereton said.

“As such, the signing of an MoU between the AFP and Defence will benefit all  parties involved.”





Media contact: Korena Flanagan (Minister Clare’s office) - (02) 6277 7290                               Adam Carr (Senator Feeney’s office) - (02) 6277 3415



