Interim Report
19 October 2007
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:
(a) 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;
(b) the training and preparedness of Australians likely to participate in a peacekeeping operation;
(c) the coordination of Australia ’s contribution to a peacekeeping operation among Australian agencies and also with the United Nations and other relevant countries; and
(d) 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. Due to the prorogation of the forty-first Parliament and the need for the committee to consider thoroughly the evidence it has received, the committee intends to table its final report as soon as practicable.
SENATOR MARISE PAYNE
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