Deployment of members of the Australian Defence Force

24 January 2003

Reference has been made in the media to remarks made by the Governor-General at yesterday's farewell of HMAS Kanimbla. These remarks have been interpreted by some commentators as indicating support for the Government's decision to deploy members of the Australian Defence Force on a contingent basis to the Persian Gulf.

The Governor-General, as Commander in Chief, was present at Garden Island to support the members of the ADF being deployed, together with their families and loved ones, as they carry out the decisions of the Government. The Governor-General, of course, expresses no view about the partisan political issue of whether the deployment should or should not take place at this time.

Contact:
Martin Bonsey 02 62833507, 0418 625 241
Claire Tedeschi 02 62833536, 0419 990 250