Aus. Maritime Defence Council F.o.I
The Australian Maritime Defence Council is an advisory body with 18 members, including government departments, agencies, industrial bodies, shipping companies and the defence sector. Members are appointed by the Minister for Defence and the Council meets twice a year and reports to the Government of Australia.
Since its establishment in 1982, the Council has expanded its role from the protection of shipping during the Cold War to become "a forum in which senior Defence and industry stakeholders can exchange information on trends and matters of national maritime interest."
Over time, its membership has included BHP, Ampol, the Australian National Line, the Royal Australian Air Force, the Royal Australian Navy, Border Protection Command, the Department of Transport, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Maritime Union of Australia.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST
Little information is available about the deliberations of this Council. This is something I hope to remedy by the lodgement of a Freedom of Information request.
I have requested access to minutes of all meetings of the Australian Maritime Defence Council from the year 2000 to present (2016) and I have received a quote for the administrative costs payable.
I hope that bringing this information to light will inform public discussions regarding relationships between defence, energy and resources sectors, and the rationale behind major military-industrial activities, including the Future Submarines Project which is currently underway in my home state of South Australia.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
The administrative costs associated with my request and the fees for handling your donations come to a total of $300. As an independent public interest researcher, I rely on your support to continue my work and make this information accessible to the public.
Once the request has been fulfilled by the Department of Defence, all the released documentation will be publicly available on the website: RightToKnow.org.au
I thank you for your support.