The Royal Australian Regiment is both shocked and saddened by the sudden loss of one of our Tribal Elders. Hori died in Canberra this morning

Notice of Hori’s death from his son Mick on facebook: “After a very challenging couple of months Dad passed away earlier today. One of a kind and a tough bastard. Memorial details to follow.”

Our deepest sympathty and condolences are with his son Mick, his Family and the wider Howard Family

Rest in Peace Hori your Duty has been done.

A Warrior’s Farewell – Homeward Bound

For our Mates

I saw the shooting star burning so bright.
Falling, falling, fading and soon from sight.
So distant and yet so near,
In its wake, a soldier’s journey so very clear,
Duty, sharing, caring, courage and sometimes fear.

No longer a mortal in life’s short race,
A contented spirit bound for home somewhere in distant space.
This fiery trail I saw tonight marks a warrior’s farewell,
Leaving behind another legacy of proud deeds to tell.

Poem by George Mansford

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Anzac Day March and Reunion. The RARA – ACT will march as an Association on Anzac Day and conduct a reunion at the Mercure Canberra on 25 April 2024 from 11:00 hrs. According to the official website, the march returns to the AWM Parade Ground this year.
The following details have now been released for the march on Anzac Day.

Schedule

8.30 am: Contingents are asked to arrive from 8.30 am to form up on Anzac Parade – Glenn and I will check in with a member of staff to confirm our contingent’s attendance and final numbers. Staff and volunteers will be stationed along Anzac Parade in high-visibility vests to assist you to take your position in the march order.

9 am to 9.15 am: Latest arrival at Contingent location please.

9.30 am: March commences on the Australian War Memorial Parade Ground.

Order of March and Map.  We are 28 in the order of march and will form up between Blamey Crescent and the Royal Australian Navy Memorial. Allocated seating will be available for participants on the Parade Ground after our contingent falls out. You will need to follow the directions of Memorial staff and volunteers throughout the event precinct. Afghanistan veteran Damien Thomlinson will provide the Anzac Day address, and proceedings will conclude with the Anthems of New Zealand and Australia. 

Reunion

The RAR Association will conduct a reunion after the march at the Mercure Canberra on 25 April 2024 from 11:00 hrs. As per normal the reunion will be in the restaurant. Glenn and David will be available to take membership subscriptions on the day. There will be a cash and card facilities available in the restaurant for drinks, and the Association will provide bar snacks.

The Association requires two volunteers to carry the Association Banner during the march, volunteers can respond to this email or contact the Secretary. More information will follow in due course from the Secretary, Glenn Crosland. 

What is the Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets Bill 2023?

The Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets (SAMS) Bill 2023 (the SAMS Bill) was introduced into Parliament in September 2023 to amend the Defence Act 1903. Submissions were invited, and closed on 16 November 2023. The Bill passed through the Senate on 27 March, and will take effect 28 days after the Royal Assent process and it being signed into law by the Governor General. The purpose of the new legislation is to establish a framework to regulate the work that certain former Defence staff members can perform without a ‘foreign work authorisation’; and the training that Australians, may provide without a ‘foreign work authorisation’. 

All ADF and APS members continue to have a responsibility to protect Defence’s official information, assets and intellectual property, after they transition from the ADF or separate from Defence. This includes the secrecy of the skills and knowledge gained through employment with Defence. They must also consider if there will be any potential for real or perceived conflict of interest when taking up employment with a private sector organisation, including any foreign affiliations that organisation may have.

The SAMS Bill is intended to ensure that sensitive Defence information remains in Australia’s control. It will prevent and discourage post-Defence employment to foreign militaries. 

Will it apply to you?

Do not assume it will not apply to you. The SAMS Bill, will apply to all former ADF and former Defence APS personnel, irrespective of rank or employment, or how long ago they worked for Defence. The SAMS Bill also contains provisions that apply to all Australian citizens and permanent residents which means it also applies to Defence industry partners including contractors and consultants. 

The SAMS Bill will require former ADF and Defence APS employees who intend to, or are currently working for, a foreign military, foreign government or foreign government entity to undertake the process of obtaining a ‘foreign workforce authorisation’. The application process will consider each individual’s circumstances, and where appropriate will inform the individual if they are exempt from the legislation. For example, the SAMS Bill enables the Minister for Defence to exclude classes of former Defence personnel from the requirement to apply for authorisation. Former Defence personnel who work for companies directly tasked by the Australian Government are excluded from this legislation as are individuals working for the United Nations or the International Committee of Red Cross. 

Other exemptions (Ministerial Legislative Instruments) may apply in terms of the country for whom the work is being performed and the period of time that has passed since an individual has performed a particular role. This period will be influenced by the type of work performed by an individual.

You can access the latest version of the Bill on the Defence website or direct from the Australian Parliament website. (Defence Amendment (Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets) Bill 2024 (aph.gov.au))

When will there be more information?

Full details of the SAMS Bill, exemptions and the Foreign Work Authorisation application process will be published to coincide with the new legislation takes effect (expect early May 2024). 

Information, scenarios and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) will be disseminated through extensive sources within Australia and overseas. This will include where to go for further information, what the timeframes are and how to seek the required authorisation.

More details at this stage are provided via the Defence Amendment: Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets Bill 2023(www.defence.gov.au/about/governance/defence-amendment-safeguarding-australias-military-secrets-bill-2023).