Defence Recruitment.com

Wednesday, 27 January 2010
007/2010

Defence Minister, Senator John Faulkner, today announced that the Australian Defence Force's Northern Command (NORCOM) Headquarters would remain in Darwin.

Senator Faulkner made the announcement at the opening of the Pacific 2010 International Maritime Congress in Sydney.

The Government has considered the roles and functions of NORCOM Headquarters within the context of previous border protection reviews and has directed that NORCOM is to be retained in Darwin.

Senator Faulkner said in considering the range of Defence, border protection and whole of government priorities the Government had formed the view that the retention of NORCOM in Darwin was in Australia's best interests.

"Given the strategic importance of the north of Australia and its approaches and the important role that NORCOM plays across a number of Defence tasks, I have decided that NORCOM should be retained in Darwin.

"NORCOM has served the ADF and the people across the north of Australia for over 21 years, making a very significant contribution during that time."

NORCOM commands and coordinates Australian Defence Force (ADF) activities across the north of Australia.  This includes ADF operations in the north, controlling Defence's contribution to border protection operations on behalf of Commander Border Protection Command, ADF disaster and emergency management response, major ADF deployments through Darwin and representing Defence's interests and engaging with the communities of the Northern Territory and the Kimberley.

Senator Faulkner said with retaining NORCOM in Darwin he has asked Defence to examine any opportunities to make savings in support of Defence's Strategic Reform Program.