Department of Defence (Australia)
Encyclopedia
The Australia
n Department of Defence is a Federal Government
Department. It forms part of the Australian Defence Organisation
(ADO) along with the Australian Defence Force
(ADF). The Defence mission is to defend Australia
and its national interests. It is accountable to the Commonwealth Parliament
, on behalf of the Australian people, for the efficiency and effectiveness with which it carries out the Government's defence policy.
The Australian Defence Force consists of:
The Defence Materiel Organisation
is a prescribed agency responsible for acquisition, sustainment and disposal of Defence equipment. Although the DMO forms part of the Department of Defence, it is also separately accountable to the Minister
for its budget and performance.
(CDF) and the Secretary for the Department of Defence jointly manage the Australian Defence Organisation
(ADO) under a "diarchy
", a term used to describe the relationship between the Chief of the Defence Force and Secretary, who both report directly to the Minister for Defence. The ADO diarchy is a governance structure unique in the Australian Commonwealth public service.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n Department of Defence is a Federal Government
Government of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...
Department. It forms part of the Australian Defence Organisation
Australian Defence Organisation
The Australian Defence Organisation is an Australian Government organisation which consists of the Australian Defence Force and the civilian Department of Defence personnel supporting the ADF...
(ADO) along with the Australian Defence Force
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
(ADF). The Defence mission is to defend Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and its national interests. It is accountable to the Commonwealth Parliament
Parliament of Australia
The Parliament of Australia, also known as the Commonwealth Parliament or Federal Parliament, is the legislative branch of the government of Australia. It is bicameral, largely modelled in the Westminster tradition, but with some influences from the United States Congress...
, on behalf of the Australian people, for the efficiency and effectiveness with which it carries out the Government's defence policy.
Organisational groups
The Department of Defence consists of 11 major organisational groups:- Capability Development Group
- Chief Finance Officer Group
- Chief Information Officer Group
- Defence Materiel OrganisationDefence Materiel OrganisationThe Defence Materiel Organisation is the Australian Government agency responsible for the acquisition, through-life support and disposal of equipment for the Australian Defence Force...
- Defence Science and Technology OrganisationDefence Science and Technology OrganisationThe Defence Science and Technology Organisation is a branch of the Australian Department of Defence which researches and develops technologies for use in the Australian defence industry....
- Defence Support Group
- Intelligence and Security GroupDefence Intelligence GroupThe Australian Department of Defence Defence Intelligence and Security Group is a division of the Australian Department of Defence and comes under the auspices of the Deputy Secretary for Intelligence and Security . The group provides intelligence for the Australian Government and the Australian...
- People Strategies and Policy
- Strategy, Coordination and Governance
The Australian Defence Force consists of:
- Royal Australian NavyRoyal Australian NavyThe Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
- Australian ArmyAustralian ArmyThe Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
- Royal Australian Air ForceRoyal Australian Air ForceThe Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
- Joint Operations CommandHeadquarters Joint Operations Command (Australia)The Australian Headquarters Joint Operations Command is the Australian Defence Force's operational level headquarters responsible for the command and control of ADF operations worldwide...
- Vice Chief of the Defence Force GroupVice Chief of the Defence Force (Australia)The Vice Chief of the Defence Force is the military deputy to the Chief of the Defence Force of Australia, and acts as the CDF in his absence under standing acting arrangements....
The Defence Materiel Organisation
Defence Materiel Organisation
The Defence Materiel Organisation is the Australian Government agency responsible for the acquisition, through-life support and disposal of equipment for the Australian Defence Force...
is a prescribed agency responsible for acquisition, sustainment and disposal of Defence equipment. Although the DMO forms part of the Department of Defence, it is also separately accountable to the Minister
Minister for Defence (Australia)
The Minister for Defence of Australia administers his portfolio through the Australian Defence Organisation, which comprises the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force. Stephen Smith is the current Minister.-Ministers for Defence:...
for its budget and performance.
Diarchy
The Chief of the Defence ForceChief of the Defence Force (Australia)
Chief of the Defence Force is the most senior appointment in the Australian Defence Force . The CDF commands the ADF under the direction of the Minister of Defence, in a coequal arrangement with the Secretary of Defence, the most senior public servant in the Department of Defence.The position is a...
(CDF) and the Secretary for the Department of Defence jointly manage the Australian Defence Organisation
Australian Defence Organisation
The Australian Defence Organisation is an Australian Government organisation which consists of the Australian Defence Force and the civilian Department of Defence personnel supporting the ADF...
(ADO) under a "diarchy
Diarchy
Diarchy , from the Greek δι- "twice" and αρχια, "rule", is a form of government in which two individuals, the diarchs, are the heads of state. In most diarchies, the diarchs hold their position for life and pass the responsibilities and power of the position to their children or family when they...
", a term used to describe the relationship between the Chief of the Defence Force and Secretary, who both report directly to the Minister for Defence. The ADO diarchy is a governance structure unique in the Australian Commonwealth public service.
Secretary of Defence
| Name | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sir Robert Henry Muirhead Collins | 1901 - 1906 | |
| Brig Gen Sir Samuel Pethebridge | ||
| Thomas Trumble CMG | 1918 - 1927 | |
| Frederick Shedden Frederick Shedden Sir Frederick Geoffrey Shedden KCMG OBE was Secretary of Australia's Department of Defence from 1937 to 1956.He was the subject of a biography: by David Horner.-Honours:... |
1937 - 1956 | |
| Arthur Tange Arthur Tange Sir Arthur Harold Tange AC, CBE was a prominent Australian senior public servant of the middle to late 20th century.... |
c.1970 | |
| Tony Ayers AC | ||
| Alan Woods AC | ||
| Paul Barratt AO | ||
| Allan Hawke Allan Hawke Allan Douglas Hawke AC is a former Australian senior public servant and diplomat. He was the Chief of Staff to the former Prime Minister, Paul Keating; Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs 1994–1996; Secretary of the Department of Transport and Regional Services 1996–1999; and... |
1999 - 2002 | |
| Richard C Smith AO PSM | 2002 - 2006 | |
| Nick Warner Nick Warner Nicholas Peter "Nick" Warner AO PSM is an Australian diplomat and public servant, who is the current Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service . From December 2006 to August 2009, he was the Secretary of the Australian Department of Defence... , PSM Public Service Medal (Australia) The Public Service Medal is a civil decoration awarded to Australian public servants for outstanding service. The PSM was introduced in 1991 and replaced the Imperial awards discontinued in 1975, supplementing the Order of Australia introduced that same year... |
2006 - 2009 | |
| Dr Ian Watt, AO | 2009 - 2011 | |
| MAJGEN Major General (Australia) Major General is a senior rank of the Australian Army, and was created as a direct equivalent of the British military rank of Major General. It is the third-highest active rank of the Australian Army, and is considered to be equivalent to a two-star rank... Duncan Lewis Duncan Lewis Duncan Edward Lewis AO, DSC, CSC , is a retired Australian Army officer and former Commander Special Forces. He is currently the Australian Secretary of Defence.-Military career:... , AO, DSC Distinguished Service Cross (Australia) The Distinguished Service Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force. It is awarded for distinguished command and leadership in action. The DSC was introduced in 1991 and is the highest distinguished service decoration in the Australian Honours System... , CSC Conspicuous Service Cross (Australia) The Conspicuous Service Cross is a decoration of the Australian Honours System. The CSC is awarded only for outstanding devotion to duty, or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgment or dedication, in non-warlike situations... (Ret'd) |
2011 - Incumbent |
See also
- Australian Defence OrganisationAustralian Defence OrganisationThe Australian Defence Organisation is an Australian Government organisation which consists of the Australian Defence Force and the civilian Department of Defence personnel supporting the ADF...
- Current senior Australian Defence Organisation personnelCurrent senior Australian Defence Organisation personnelThis page provides access to information about current senior Australian Defence Organisation personnel.The Australian Defence Organisation consists of both the uniformed military, known as the Australian Defence Force , and the civilian Department of Defence, which includes a number of civilian...
- Minister for DefenceMinister for Defence (Australia)The Minister for Defence of Australia administers his portfolio through the Australian Defence Organisation, which comprises the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force. Stephen Smith is the current Minister.-Ministers for Defence:...
- Minister for Defence Science and Personnel
- Minister for Veterans' AffairsMinister for Veterans' Affairs (Australia)The Australian Minister for Veterans' Affairs oversees income support, compensation, care and commemoration programs for more than 400,000 veterans and their widows, widowers and dependants....
- List of Australian Commonwealth Government entities