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Australian Defence Forces Medal
       
The following is a list of talking points under discussion at this time with regard to the NEW Australian Defence Forces Medal due to be released in 2006
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The creation of the Australian Defence Medal was announced in June 2004 by the former Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, the Hon Mal Brough, MP.
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The establishment of the Australian Defence Medal is further demonstration of this Government's ongoing commitment to honour the service of Australia's current and former Defence Force members.
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This medal will recognise the significant commitment and contribution that our servicemen and women have made, whether they served the country on operations or remained in Australia in a support role.
  
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Eligibility for the medal will be backdated from the end of World War II, and will include those who have served for a total of six years in the ADF in either the Regular or Reserve forces.
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The six-year eligibility criterion was chosen to recognise the changing nature of ADF service. It is a medal for contemporary times, recognising a commitment to the nation that has been demonstrated through service over and above initial enlistment periods.
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As part of the Government's election commitments we have extended the eligibility for the Australian Defence Medal to those who have honourably served, but due to Defence Force service policies of the time, were unable to serve the required six years.
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We will also make provisions for personnel who die in service or who have been permanently impaired through their service and have not reached their six years qualifying period.  
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National service personnel will need to serve a further six-years service in addition to their national service to qualify for the Australian Defence Medal.
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Since the announcement of the Australian Defence Medal, the Government has received numerous submissions concerning the eligibility criteria for the medal, in particular the six-year service period.
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We have consulted widely with Defence and the ex-service community to ensure that all the ideas and issues raised have been carefully considered.
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As there were many different types of enlistment policies over the years, there are some complexities to be worked through before all the eligibility criteria and associated regulations are finalised.
  
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Full details, including how to apply, will be widely publicised after the final regulations and determinations required to establish the medal have been approved. Individuals who have written to the Minister, or the Department of Defence, will not need to resubmit an application.
  
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The design of the medal has been finalised and has been endorsed by the Government. The Regulations and Letters Patent and the medal design have been sent to Her Majesty the Queen for her formal approval.
  
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Once the Queen has formally approved the medal regulations a further announcement about the Australian Defence Medal will be made.
  
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For serving members the medal will be sent to the Commanding Officer of their current unit for presentation at an appropriate time. Ex-serving members will be able to choose to have the medal presented to them by their local member. Alternatively the Australian Defence Medal will be dispatched to eligible ex-serving members through registered post.
  

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It was reported in sections of the media on 12 April that the victims of the Sea King tragedy were denied posthumous awards of the proposed Australian Defence Medal because the medals had not been approved by The Queen. This is not correct. The Queen's in principle approval to the proposed medal has already been obtained. Her formal approval is currently being sought now that a number of details relating to the award of the medal have been finalised. This is expected to occur in the near future leaving the way open for awards, including posthumous awards of the medal, to be made.