32-904: The Vice Chief of the Defence Force ( VCDF ) is the military deputy to the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) of Australia, and acts as the CDF in his absence under standing acting arrangements. Air Marshal Robert Chipman , the incumbent VCDF, has held the position since 9 July 2024. Created in 1986, the VCDF is a three-star officer in the Australian Defence Force ( lieutenant general , vice admiral , or air marshal ). The position's standing responsibilities include: Joint Doctrine, Education, Training and Evaluation; Joint Logistics; Reserve Policy; and Joint Capabilities, Commitments and Concepts. When acting as Chief of
64-911: A diarchy , the CDF serves as co-chairman of the Defence Committee , conjointly with the Secretary of Defence , in the command and control of the Australian Defence Organisation . The CDF is the Australian equivalent position of what in NATO and the European Union is known as the Chief of Defence , in the United Kingdom is known as the Chief of the Defence Staff , and in the United States
96-620: A Minister on the NSC. As such, NSC attendance also includes the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet , the Department of Defence , the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade , the Department of the Treasury , and the Department of Home Affairs . The Chief of the Defence Force and other senior ADF officers also attend if requested or required by the NSC. Other government ministers, such as
128-477: A central role in advising national intelligence priorities and supporting a coordinated approach by the National Intelligence Community to directions by the NSC. The National Security Adviser was created without a statutory footing but was tasked with ranging responsibilities including counterterrorism , emergency management , and defence strategic policy. The role of National Security Adviser
160-600: Is appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of his/her ministers. The appointment is politically neutral, as are all military positions, and not affected by a change of government. Since 4 July 2014, the CDF is appointed for a fixed four-year term under the Defence Act (1903). Prior to this date, the appointment was for three years. The position of CDF is notionally rotated between the Royal Australian Navy ,
192-851: Is known as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , although with the latter prohibited by law from having operational command authority over the US Armed Forces. Constitutionally, the Governor-General of Australia , is the de jure Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force. However, in practice, the Australian Government de facto exercises executive power via the Federal Executive Council . The CDF
224-447: Is responsible for the provision of guidance and planning for future joint force design, requirements, and capabilities of the ADF. The following list chronologically records those who have held the post of Vice Chief of the Defence Force. Rank and honours are as at the completion of the individual's term. Chief of the Defence Force (Australia) The Chief of the Defence Force ( CDF )
256-681: Is that a decision to commit the Australian Defence Force to an "international armed conflict is an exercise of prerogative power pursuant to section 61 of the Constitution " that is made by the Prime Minister and NSC without involving the Governor-General . The NSC may refer its decision to the full Cabinet for its endorsement. The Commonwealth Government has never been required by the Constitution or legislation to seek parliamentary approval for decisions to deploy military forces overseas or go to war. The NSC met numerous times in response to
288-653: Is the highest-ranking and most senior military officer in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and is the principal military advisor to the National Security Committee and the Minister for Defence . The current Chief of the Defence Force is Admiral David Johnston , who took office on 10 July 2024. The CDF commands the ADF under the direction of the Minister for Defence and provides advice on matters that relate to military activity, including military operations. In
320-805: The Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force . However, in practice this has not been the case; of twenty appointees, twelve have been from the Army, six from the Navy and four from the Air Force. During peacetime, the Chief of the Defence Force is the only four-star officer in the ADF ( admiral , general , or air chief marshal ). The CDF is assisted by the Vice Chief of the Defence Force (VCDF) and serves as
352-560: The Australian Government . It is a committee of the Cabinet of Australia , though decisions of the NSC do not require the endorsement of the Cabinet itself. The origins of the NSC stem from the 1977 tabled recommendations of the Royal Commission on Intelligence and Security , established on 21 August 1974 by Australia's Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and led by Justice Robert Hope , for
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#1732858423633384-518: The COVID-19 pandemic in Australia , with attendance by the Minister for Health , Greg Hunt , and former Chief Medical Officer , Brendan Murphy , who began Australia's health response to COVID-19. On 5 March 2020, the Prime Minister , Scott Morrison , announced that the NSC had agreed to new travel restrictions, updated travel advice and implemented new screening measures for COVID-19 , aimed to "slow
416-589: The Governor-General may declare such an emergency exists if the Health Minister (then Greg Hunt ) is satisfied that "a listed human disease is posing a severe and immediate threat, or is causing harm, to human health on a nationally significant scale". This gives the Minister sweeping powers, including imposing restrictions or preventing the movement of people and goods between specified places, and evacuations . The Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Declaration 2020
448-502: The Iraq War . In 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd revamped the Australian national security framework with the creation of the intergovernmental officials-level National Intelligence Coordination Committee (NICC) and the public service position of National Security Adviser (NSA) within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . The National Intelligence Coordination Committee plays
480-530: The Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment , are invited to attend meetings as required. The Leader of the Opposition is also sometimes invited to attend for important briefings. As mentioned above, the NSC met numerous times during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic with attendance by the Minister for Health and the Chief Medical Officer. The Secretaries Committee on National Security (SCNS) (formerly
512-497: The United Nations and other coalition partners. The Military Strategic Plans Division (MSPD) provides strategic planning linking policy and operational arrangements. The Force Integration Division (FID) is responsible for the design, development, integration and coordination of ADF joint warfare capabilities, including information systems , effects-based operations , and counter-IED efforts . The Force Design Division
544-839: The Australian Government (including the Headquarters Joint Operations Command and the Defence Strategic Policy and Intelligence Group ) and situational awareness for current and potential ADF commitments. The Head Military Strategic Commitments is also responsible for the Australian Defence Force Investigative Service , strategic communications, strategic crisis response, the Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program, and engagement with
576-538: The Chairman of the Chiefs of Service Committee , composed of the service chiefs: the Chief of Navy (CN), Chief of Army (CA), and Chief of Air Force (CAF), all of whom are three-star officers ( vice admiral , lieutenant general , and air marshal ), as is the VCDF. Prior to 1958 there was no CDF or equivalent; a Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) existed but no separate position was established as its senior officer. Instead,
608-620: The Committee as of July 2022 are: Minister for Defence Minister for International Development and the Pacific Formerly under the Turnbull government , the ministerial Cabinet Secretary was also a member. As the peak decision-making body on national security, the NSC is also attended and advised by the Secretaries for each respective public service department represented by
640-485: The Defence Force, the VCDF attends the National Security Committee of Cabinet (NSCC) and Secretary’s Committee on National Security (SCNS). Until September 2007, the VCDF was "double hatted" as the Chief of Joint Operations (CJOPS). In this role he commanded Australian Defence Force operations on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Force. In September 2007, the Minister of Defence , Brendan Nelson announced
672-626: The National Security Committee was created by Prime Minister John Howard in 1996 with a broad national security mandate including foreign policy and international economic issues. Under Howard the NSC also played a central role in the lead up and during the International Force for East Timor deployment, the formulation of Defence White Papers, and the Australian involvement in the War in Afghanistan and
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#1732858423633704-530: The Secretaries Committee on Intelligence and Security) serves as the peak officials-level committee considering national security matters and directly supports the NSC. It is an interdepartmental committee which considers all major matters to be put before the NSC and supports the whole-of-government coordination of national security policy. The SCNS membership is composed of the secretaries for each respective public service department represented by
736-738: The case and the appointment has been held for longer or shorter periods of time. The role is politically neutral, as are all military positions, and is not affected by a change of government. The Vice Chief of the Defence Force Group is responsible for the provision of military strategic effects and commitments advice and planning, joint military professional education and training, logistics support, health support, ADF cadet and reserve policy, joint capability coordination, preparedness management, and joint and combined ADF doctrine. The Military Strategic Commitments Division (MSCD) provides and coordinates ADF tri-service and joint strategic advice across
768-648: The creation of a "ministerial committee on intelligence and security to give general oversight and policy control to the intelligence community". Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser consequently established the National and International Security Committee in 1977. Prime Minister Bob Hawke also continued the format of the National and International Security Committee as a subcommittee of the Defence and External Relations Committee to consider and report on national security, defence and international relations. The current format of
800-585: The formation of a separate three-star CJOPS position based at the Headquarters Joint Operations Command ( HQJOC ) facility at Bungendore, New South Wales . The appointment is made by the Governor General on the advice of his/her ministers under Section 9AA of the Defence Act (1903) and is for a fixed term of four years, nominally rotated between the three services, Navy , Army and Air Force ; however in practice this has not been
832-400: The importation of COVID-19 cases into Australia to enable preparatory measures to continue and to enable a public health response to the initial cases". On 18 March 2020, a human biosecurity emergency was declared in Australia owing to the risks to human health posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, after the NSC had met the previous day. The Biosecurity Act 2015 specifies that
864-524: The operation and activities of the National Intelligence Community. The NSC also considers issues of defence acquisition and recommendations from the Department of Defence 's Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group . Its decisions do not require the endorsement of Cabinet. The Constitution of Australia does not contain a provision that expressly states who is responsible for committing Australia to war. Contemporary practice,
896-414: The position at that period of time is listed immediately before the officers who held the role. The honours are as at the completion of the individual's term. National Security Committee (Australia) The National Security Committee ( NSC ), also known as the National Security Committee of Cabinet , is the paramount decision-making body for national security and major foreign policy matters in
928-460: The running of the separate services. In February 1976, COSC was dissolved and the new position of Chief of Defence Force Staff (CDFS) was created with command authority over the ADF. In October 1984 the position was renamed Chief of the Defence Force to more clearly reflect the role and its authority. The following list chronologically records those who have held the post of Chief of the Defence Force or its preceding positions. The official title of
960-456: The senior service chief served as Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee. In March 1958, Lieutenant General Sir Henry Wells was appointed Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee , a role independent of and notionally senior to the Army, Navy and Air Force chiefs. However, Wells and his successors did not command the Australian armed forces in any legal sense; the chairman had only an advisory role in
992-509: Was declared by the Governor-General, David Hurley , under Section 475 of the Act. The Prime Minister determines the membership of NSC. Under the current Albanese Government , the NSC is chaired by the Prime Minister with the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister as deputy chair. In July 2022, Albanese added Chris Bowen , the Minister for Climate Change to the committee. Members of
Vice Chief of the Defence Force (Australia) - Misplaced Pages Continue
1024-430: Was disbanded by Prime Minister Tony Abbott in 2013. The responsibilities of the National Security Committee include to deliberate and decide on Australia's national security issues, including international security issues of strategic relevance, Australian border security , national responses to domestic and international crises and terrorism, military operations and the deployment of the Australian Defence Force , and
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