Estimates: Recognition of Peacekeepers Questions on Notice
Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
Supplementary Budget Estimates 2012-13; 17 October 2012
Question 104 | Outcome 3: Program 3.1
Topic: Recognition in the Australian War Memorial
Senator WRIGHT asked:
Has research or other work been conducted by the department into including Australian Peacekeepers who have died in humanitarian, post-Armistice and peacekeeping (non-warlike) operations on the Honour Roll at the Australian War Memorial (AWM)?
Answer
The Australian War Memorial (AWM) has conducted recent research into Honour Rolls policy, precedence and eligibility, paying particular attention to the issue of peacekeepers and other nonwarlike deaths. An issues paper was prepared to brief the AWM Council for its November meeting. A press release of 13 November 2012 can be found on the Australian War Memorial website at the following link:
https://www.awm.gov.au/media/releases/peacekeepers-and-memorials-roll-honour/
Question 105 | Outcome 3: Program 3.1
Topic: Recognition in the Australian War Memorial
Senator WRIGHT asked:
I understand the Remembrance Book at the AWM, which contains the names of the 48 men and women who died in humanitarian, post-Armistice and peacekeeping (non-warlike) operations is currently insufficiently displayed. I have been informed that it is kept in a locked cabinet, with signage that only recognises the Commemorative and therefore the service of other allied forces, Red Cross, Australian Comforts Fund, YMCA, war correspondents, artists, photographers, munitions and other workers, but the only visible recognition of the deaths in humanitarian, post-Armistice and peacekeeping (non-warlike) operations is a small label attached to the Remembrance Book. Can you confirm this is correct?
Answer
Since its dedication on 11 November 2007, the Remembrance Book has been on display alongside the Commemorative Roll in a glass-lidded cabinet. This cabinet is located in the Memorial's Commemorative Area, in an alcove adjacent to the Roll of Honour. While staff can easily unlock the cabinet upon request, and have been happy to do so, the Memorial has recently removed the glass lid for a trial period so that visitors can access the Rolls directly. This new arrangement will be monitored to gauge how much incidental damage might be done to the Books under this new arrangement.
Both the Commemorative Roll and the Remembrance Book have their own explanatory signage inside the cabinet. The exact words on the labels are below.
Commemorative Roll
This Roll commemorates Australians who died during or as a result of those conflicts included in the Roll of Honour, but who were members of the armed forces of allied countries, the Merchant Navy, or philanthropic organisation.
The Commemorative Roll also includes official war correspondents; photographers or artists; munitions and other workers; and official historians. Persons listed in this Roll must have been born in Australia, or have had Australia as their last place of domicile.
Remembrance Book
The Remembrance Book commemorates all those members of the Australian Defence
Force and members of the Australian police forces who have died during or as a result of operations after 30 June 1947 designated as non-warlike service or its equivalent, including hazardous service or peacekeeping service or humanitarian peacetime service.
The bronze plaque above the cabinet was installed many years ago, before the Remembrance Book was created, and relates only to the Commemorative Roll. The text on the plaque has recently been reviewed and a new plaque is being made which will refer to both the Commemorative Roll and the Remembrance Book. It will be installed shortly.
Question 106 | Outcome 3: Program 3.1
Topic: Recognition in the Australian War Memorial
Senator WRIGHT asked:
Has the Department undertaken any review of the signage of the Remembrance Book?
Answer
Yes, a review has been undertaken of both the bronze plaque above the cabinet which houses the Commemorative Roll and the Remembrance Book in the Commemorative Area, as well as the labels inside the cabinet. The plaque above the cabinet was installed many years ago, before the Remembrance Book was created, and currently relates only to the Commemorative Roll. As a result of the review, a new plaque will be cast which will provide information about both the Commemorative Roll and the Remembrance Book. It will be installed shortly.
The labels in the cabinet were updated in September 2012 to reflect a change in the wording of the eligibility criteria for the Remembrance Book. The labels were updated again following the removal of the glass in the cabinet just prior to Remembrance Day 2012. This amendment simply removed reference to asking for assistance to see a specific page. The exact words on the labels are below.
Commemorative Roll
This Roll commemorates Australians who died during or as a result of those conflicts included in the Roll of Honour, but who were members of the armed forces of allied countries, the Merchant Navy, or philanthropic organisation.
The Commemorative Roll also includes official war correspondents; photographers or artists; munitions and other workers; and official historians. Persons listed in this Roll must have been born in Australia, or have had Australia as their last place of domicile.
Remembrance Book
The Remembrance Book commemorates all those members of the Australian Defence
Force and members of the Australian police forces who have died during or as a result of operations after 30 June 1947 designated as non-warlike service or its equivalent, including hazardous service or peacekeeping service or humanitarian peacetime service.
Question 107 | Outcome 3: Program 3.1
Topic: The Australian Peacekeeping Memorial
Senator WRIGHT asked:
How much Commonwealth funding has been allocated in the Australian War Memorial project since 2003? (please provide details of the amounts allocated in each Budget, and the total amount)
a) Of this funding, how much has been spent?
b) What is the current status of construction/project completion?
c) When is the project scheduled to be completed?
Answer
The Australian Peacekeeping Memorial on ANZAC Parade is the responsibility of the National Capital Authority.
The Government provided a discretionary grant of $200,000 in 2006 to the Australian National Peacekeeping Memorial Project Committee.
The Department is unable to provide any comment on funding, project status or schedule for completion.