The Australian Civil-Military Centre (ACMC) is expanding its operations to reflect its growing remit and importance as a centre of excellence in preventing, preparing and responding to conflict and disaster management overseas.
As part of this expansion, the ACMC has recently increased the office space at its Queanbeyan premises to accommodate a workforce that has grown since ACMC was established and cement its ideal central location to partner agencies. The refurbishment was officially opened at a ceremony today by the Minister for Defence Materiel, Dr Mike Kelly AM.
“The expansion is a sign that the ACMC is making a huge impact upon Australia’s response to conflict and disaster management both in the Asia-Pacific region and more globally, particularly through its support to Australia’s seat on the UN Security Council,” Dr Kelly said.
He said the ACMC operated with a multiagency approach and included staff drawn from a number of Australian Government departments and agencies (Defence, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Attorney-Generals, AusAID, and the Australian Federal Police), the New Zealand Government, and the NGO sector through the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID).
“The ACMC has grown from humble beginnings to be a shining example of cross-government, transnational and NGO cooperation,” he said.
“Without the support and contribution of these partners, the ACMC would simply grind to a halt and I am happy to acknowledge the excellent work done each and every day by the secondees and defence staff in the ACMC.
“I am confident the Australian Civil-Military Centre will continue to contribute purposefully in the future to the development of effective civil-military engagement in conflict and disaster management throughout the region and the world,” he said.
Officially opened in Queanbeyan by former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd on 27 November 2008, the Australian Civil-Military Centre is a whole-of-government initiative designed to help improve Australia’s effectiveness in civil-military collaboration for conflict and disaster management overseas. Last year, the centre committed to its Queanbeyan home through exercising a three-year option on its Lowe Street premises, with options to continue the lease beyond that.
In the four-and-a-half years since its inception, ACMC has grown both in size and in reputation, contributing to the growing body of knowledge of civil-military issues and establishing important links with regional bodies, the United Nations, the African Union and other key international organisations around the globe.
The Centre also works closely with other Australian Government departments and agencies to develop and promote best practice on issues of civil-military-police engagement both within the region and beyond.
For more information about the Centre and its programs, visit www.acmc.gov.au