Interim Report
31 July 2008
Senator the Hon Alan Ferguson
President of the Senate
Pursuant to Senate Standing Order 38(7), I present to you an interim report of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade on the changing nature of Australia's involvement in peacekeeping operations.
On 8 November 2006, the Senate referred the following matter to the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade for inquiry and report by 16 August 2007:
The changing nature of Australia’s involvement in peacekeeping operations and the implications for the Australian Defence Force, AusAID, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Federal Police and other departments and agencies likely to be called on to assist a peacekeeping operation, with particular reference to:
- the policy framework, procedures and protocols that govern the Government’s decision to participate in a peacekeeping operation, for determining the conditions of engagement and for ceasing to participate;
- the training and preparedness of Australians likely to participate in a peacekeeping operation;
- the coordination of Australia’s contribution to a peacekeeping operation among Australian agencies and also with the United Nations and other relevant countries; and
- lessons learnt from recent participation in peacekeeping operations that would assist government to prepare for future operations
On 8 August 2007, the committee sought and was granted an extension of time to report by 25 October 2007. Following the prorogation of the 41st Parliament on 15 October, the committee presented an interim report to the President of the Senate on 19 October, stating its intention to table its final report as soon as practicable. During the first sitting week of the new Parliament, the Senate re-referred the inquiry to the committee to report by 15 May 2008. On 14 May 2008, the Senate granted an extension for the committee to report by 26 June 2008; on 24 June the Senate granted a further extension to 31 July 2008.
The committee intends to table its final report on 1 August 2008.
SENATOR Mark Bishop
CHAIR
For further information, contact:
Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia