The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, announced today that the independent Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal will inquire into recognition for members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for service in Papua New Guinea after 16 September 1975.

“I am pleased that the Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal will inquire into recognition for service in Papua New Guinea (PNG) after 1975. This inquiry is another in a series of reviews into long-standing Defence honours and awards issues identified by the Australian Government in late 2007,’ Dr Kelly said.

A call for submissions will be released shortly in the national press. Submissions to the inquiry close on Monday, 23 November 2009.

“Many people have raised the issue of recognition for ADF service in PNG after 1975 with the Government, and I would encourage them to now take advantage of this opportunity to make a submission,” Dr Kelly said.

The Tribunal can be contacted at:

Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal
Locked Bag 7765
CANBERRA BUSINESS CENTRE ACT 2610

or via email to DHA.Tribunal@defence.gov.au

The terms of reference for the inquiry and guidance on how to make a submission can be obtained at: www.defence-honours-tribunal.gov.au