FOI/2020/291 - Document 1
SENATOR THE HON JOE LUDWIG
Cabinet Secretary
Special Minister of State
Manager of Government Business in the Senate
Senator for Queensland
Reference no: B09/1640
Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC
Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia
Government House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Your Excellency
I seek your approval of an amendment to the
Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal (2004
Indian Ocean Tsunami and Other Natural Disasters Relief) Determination 2007 (‘the
Indian Ocean determination’).
The
Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal (HOSM) was created in 1999 to recognise
Australians rendering humanitarian aid overseas in hazardous circumstances. In 2005,
new regulations extended eligibility for the HOSM so that humanitarian operations
following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and other natural disasters could be recognised.
The Indian Ocean determination establishes the organisations with which eligible service
may be given to qualify for the HOSM in respect of post-tsunami humanitarian operations.
The proposed amendment to the Indian Ocean determination would add the “Australian
contingent to the humanitarian operation of GE Infrastructure, Water & Process
Technologies” to the schedule of eligible organisations. I have been briefed on the details
of this group’s disaster relief operation in Sumatra and confirm that it meets the purpose of
the HOSM as well as the place and time requirements for the Indian Ocean operation.
I recommend that you approve the enclosed instrument.
Yours sincerely
JOE LUDWIG
November 2009
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Telephone: (02) 6277 7600 Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600 Facsimile: (02) 6273 4541
FOI/2020/291 - Document 2
