magazine › ISSUE 5, 2011 Meet Mr Duncan Lewis Cover story: pages 18-21 People in Defence Connected comms APS Core Capability Major exercise Framework launched: showcases networking: pages 26-27 pages 28-29 WORLD NEWS Defence Magazine Cover image: A face well known to many people Editor: is the cover image of Duncan Lewis, Michael Weaver who has been appointed Secretary Phone: 02 6265 7117 of the Department. Inside, he Defence Magazine is produced by speaks with Defence Magazine on the Communication and Media Branch. challenges ahead and his return to ISSN 1446-229X the organisation he regards as home. Photo: Steve Dent Design and Layout: Karen Costello Graphics Services Defence Publishing Service DPS: SEP033/11 How to contribute to Defence Magazine Contact: 02 6265 7117 or Email address: [email protected] Website: http://www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine/ Subscriptions: Trish Dillon (02) 6266 7607 or [email protected] Snapshot: After 28 years in various aircraft- related jobs in Defence, Michael Hibbert stands in front of an Aircraft Research and Development Unit PC-9 following the last day in his position as computer aided design manager for the Aerospace Engineering Squadron at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Mr Hibbert’s Defence career began as a RAAF draftsman in 1983 and included more than nine years in the Air Force which saw him posted around the country and abroad. His APS career began is 1995 with the Aircraft Research and Development Unit, and the Aerospace Engineering Squadron. Mr Hibbert said one of his career highlights was having the opportunity to fly in some of Australia’s greatest aircraft. Photo: Leading Aircraftman Glynn Jones 2 DEFENCE MAGAZINE INSIDE THIS EDITION Regulars News 6–9 Regional News 10 International News 11 9 Pictorial: All the Queen’s Colours 14–15 Public Sector News 16–17 Columns Secretary: Maintaining the momentum 4 Chief of the Defence Force: Combating gender equality 5 Spotlight on Reform: Navy reform making waves 12–13 Cover story Duncan Lewis: Driving reform on the SRP highway 18-21 26 Groups and Services Reserves: New direction for ADF reserve capability 22-23 Capability Development: Pushing the limits on IED detection 24-25 People in Defence: APS Core Capability Framework launched 26–27 Information Technology: Connected comms crucial during exercise 28–29 Your workplace: Subpoena: what you need to know 30–31 34 Defence Support: - Future focus on leadership program 32 - Accommodation project leaps into construction 33 The Last Word: First Assistant Secretary Information Communication Technology, Anne Brown 34-35 www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine 3 SECRETARy’S COLUMN Maintaining the momentum By Mr Duncan Lewis value for money for the Australian and consistent approach to developing tax payer; and professionalising our leadership skills within Defence’s APS workforce. I ask that these priorities be workforce. kept in the forefront of all our minds, Growing leaders as they progress every day. through various roles in Defence is On September 15, the CDF and I an important way of addressing the accompanied the Minister for Defence, challenges associated with the future Stephen Smith, to the Australia and labour force in Australia. We know that United States Ministerial Consultations we have an aging population and, as (AUSMIN) held in San Francisco. This a result, there will be skill shortages forum is significant to Australia’s alliance in most technical and professional with the United States and provides an occupations. It is important that we his is my first column for important opportunity to discuss and start to address that now by further the Defence Magazine and share perspectives on global and regional developing and implementing Defence’s letT me begin by saying how political issues. people strategy. happy and honoured I feel to Our ability to support our Ministers, I encourage you to take a look at the have returned to Defence. and the Government as a whole, is a APS Core Capability Framework. Use vital part of our business. We need to it to help you in your own personal I left Defence at the end of 2004, after be a trusted adviser, responsive to the development and career planning and spending 33 years in the Army; I have Government’s needs and consistently as a reference for supervisors and spent the past seven years working at delivering high quality and well considered managers to support their recruitment the Department of Prime Minister and advice. To do this we need to look beyond practices and staff management. Cabinet. our immediate workplaces and actively Finally, I would like to acknowledge There is no doubt that I have collaborate with our colleagues across the challenging environment within started in this role during a period Defence, the Australian Public Service which we are operating. This is unlikely of significant reform in Defence. The (APS) and industry counterparts. That may to change, at least not in the short term. Strategic Reform Program (SRP) is well require a shift in our culture, but it is a key However these reforms are critical to underway and we have several other area I will be focusing on and is central to Defence’s capability and sustainability; reviews in progress that are due to our relationship with Government, our maintaining the momentum of SRP is report soon. I am certainly very aware reform efforts, and to achieving Force the key to our success. of the challenges ahead; but I am also 2030. I believe very strongly in our very confident in our ability to achieve In the people space, I was very organisation. I am very aware of, the reforms required to build a better pleased to launch the Defence APS Core and have seen first-hand, the high organisation and a stronger Defence Force for the future. I want to thank Dr Ian Watt for the “Our ability to support our Ministers, and significant contribution he has made in the Government as a whole, is a vital part of positioning Defence through the SRP and associated reforms. Defence will continue our business.” its association with Dr Watt in his new role as Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Capability Framework on September 8, levels of commitment and loyalty of On my first day on the job, I which describes the common leadership, Defence employees and the important announced my priorities for Defence management and administrative skills, contribution each of you make to (see page 20); my vision for how we knowledge and behaviours for each enabling our first-class Australian Defence need to think and behave. I believe we APS level in Defence, regardless Force. During the coming months, I need to remain focused at all times on of an individual employee’s Group intend to get out and about visiting as supporting our people on operations; or geographical location. This is an many Defence sites and meeting as many providing the Government with the best incredibly important step forward in Defence employees as possible. Defence capability we can; delivering establishing a more structured, coherent I look forward to working with you. 4 DEFENCE MAGAZINE CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE FORCE’S COLUMN Combating gender equality By General David Hurley The status of women in the ADF gained level of our decision-making is key to our further momentum with Australia’s success and I plan to do this. ratification of the Convention on the This extends to our international Elimination of all forms of Discrimination counterparts. In early 2012 we will host against Women in 1983, and the enactment a visiting delegation of Canadian female of the Sex Discrimination Act in 1984. combat commanders and hear, first hand, In 1985, women in the Navy began their experience. serving in seagoing billets. In 1987, our first Opening up the remaining combat role female pilots graduated from Pilots Course, employment categories is just one element of and in 1988, we had our first female naval my vision for a fair, just and inclusive ADF. have served as an infantry Commanding Officer. The Defence review on Physical Icommander at platoon, Many of the barriers to women being Employment Standards for combat roles will be company and battalion level. I fully employed in the ADF have been completed this year. The review will determine have deployed on operations as a removed during the past 20 years. Women suitability for roles in the ADF based on physical battalion commander. now serve in command positions at home fitness assessments that are scientifically based, and on operations. More reach senior ranks occupationally relevant, and do not discriminate As a brigade commander and as within both officer and other rank streams. on the basis of gender. Land Commander I deployed infantry I am not content though to maintain a For your commitment to military service battalions on operations. I know the status quo. In the political and corporate you deserve the opportunity to progress rigours of life as an infantryman. sphere, the gender barrier has been removed through the ranks based on merit and skill. My decision to support the opening and women are represented in truly senior A robust and agile ADF relies on every of combat positions to women therefore positions. We in the ADF are on the edge – member having the opportunity to contribute comes from experience and knowledge, now is the time to cross the Rubicon. fully and equally to Defence capability. We not political correctness. The ADF should persue excellence and cannot credibly claim to be a force for good, We owe all members of the ADF so our challenge is to harness the impetus a force to be reckoned with, a force to win, if the opportunity to achieve their career from early initiatives to actively promote we do not fully use all people in our service.