The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon. Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, today announced that the independent Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal will inquire into recognition for Defence Force personnel who served as peacekeepers since 1947.

“I am pleased that the Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal will inquire into recognition for peacekeeping service. 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, 21 December 2009.

“Many people have raised with the Government the issue of separate additional recognition for Australian Defence Force peacekeeping service 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