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Australian Defence Force
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==Domestic responsibilities== [[File:Australian Army truck being used in the flood clean-up.jpg|thumb|alt=Photograph of a large truck in front of a house|An Army truck being used to clean up damage caused by flooding in Brisbane during [[Operation Queensland Flood Assist]] in 2011]] In addition to its military role, the ADF contributes to domestic security as well as disaster relief efforts in Australia and overseas. These functions are primarily the responsibility of civilian agencies, and the ADF's role in them requires specific justification and authorisation.{{sfn|Dennis et al|2008|p=178}} Elements of the ADF are frequently [[Military aid to the civil power|called out]] to contribute to relief efforts following natural disasters in Australia or overseas. The ADF's role in these efforts is set out in Australia's emergency management plans. The ADF typically contributes specialist capabilities, such as engineers or transport, to support the civil authorities.{{sfn|Australian National Audit Office|2014|pp=11β13, 39}} For major disasters, this can involve a large-scale deployment of personnel and assets. While the ADF has a commitment to assist relief efforts, several defence white papers have specified that this is a secondary responsibility to the force's focus on maintaining combat capabilities. As a result, requests for assistance have to be balanced against military priorities.{{sfn|Australian National Audit Office|2014|pp=30β31}} No elements of the ADF are specifically tasked with or equipped for disaster relief efforts.{{sfn|Australian National Audit Office|2014|p=39}} The ADF can also be tasked with providing aid to civil authorities outside of natural disasters; for instance in response to [[industrial action]] or to assist civilian police maintain law and order. This rarely occurs, however, and most Australians consider the use of military personnel to break strikes or undertake law enforcement to be inappropriate.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ward|first1=Elizabeth|title=Call Out the Troops: an examination of the legal basis for Australian Defence Force involvement in 'non-defence' matters|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/RP9798/98rp08|publisher=Parliament of Australia|access-date=1 January 2017|date=1997|archive-date=1 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101232155/http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/RP9798/98rp08|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Sutton|2017|pp=42}} Due to the political sensitivities associated with strike breaking, the ADF conducts little planning or other preparations for this role and the ''Defence Act'' explicitly states that reservists may not be called out or deployed in response to industrial action.{{sfn|Dennis et al|2008|p=179}} [[File:HMAS Albany 2010.jpg|thumb|alt=A grey warship underway. Land is visible in the background.|left|The Navy's ''Armidale'' class patrol boats ({{HMAS|Albany|ACPB 86|6}} pictured) are mainly used for border and fisheries patrol tasks<ref>{{cite web|last1=Seapower Centre β Australia|title=Welcome to the Armidale Class|url=http://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Semaphore_2006_4.pdf|website=Semaphore|publisher=Royal Australian Navy|access-date=8 January 2018|date=February 2006|archive-date=8 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108233417/http://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Semaphore_2006_4.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>]] Over recent years, the ADF has been frequently committed to disaster relief. This has included deployments of large numbers of personnel to support fire fighting efforts during the [[2019β20 Australian bushfire season]] and to assist state police and healthcare services during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Australia|COVID-19 pandemic]]. The scale of these deployments and the disruption they have caused to military training has led to suggestions that either elements of the Army Reserve be dedicated to disaster relief or a separate civilian organisation be established to take on the duties the ADF is undertaking.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Heanue |first1=Siobhan |title=Putting troops on the frontline of pandemics, natural disasters means less time to train for war |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-27/troops-on-pandemic-bushfire-frontline-cant-train-for-war/12593126 |access-date=29 August 2020 |work=ABC News |date=27 August 2020 |archive-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117191624/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-27/troops-on-pandemic-bushfire-frontline-cant-train-for-war/12593126 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=RMIT ABC Fact Check |title=How is the Australian Defence Force assisting states during COVID-19? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-12/fact-check-defence-force-coronavirus-fact-file-hotel-quarantine/12522492?nw=0 |access-date=29 August 2020 |work=ABC News |date=12 August 2020 |archive-date=28 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828143206/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-12/fact-check-defence-force-coronavirus-fact-file-hotel-quarantine/12522492?nw=0 |url-status=live }}</ref> The ADF makes a significant contribution to Australia's domestic maritime security. ADF ships, aircraft and Regional Force Surveillance Units conduct patrols of northern Australia in conjunction with the [[Australian Border Force]] (ABF). This operation, which is code-named [[Operation Resolute]], is commanded by the [[Maritime Border Command (Australia)|Maritime Border Command]] which is jointly manned by members of the ADF and ABF. This operation involves a considerable proportion of the ADF's assets, with the forces assigned typically including two major naval vessels, multiple patrol boats, Regional Force Surveillance Unit patrols and AP-3 Orion aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|title=Operation Resolute|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/Operations/BorderProtection/default.asp|publisher=Department of Defence|access-date=2 January 2017|archive-date=13 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113191911/http://defence.gov.au/Operations/BorderProtection/default.asp|url-status=live}}</ref> The ADF also often contributes to [[search and rescue]] efforts coordinated by the [[Australian Maritime Safety Authority]] and other civilian agencies.{{sfn|Dennis et al|2008|p=178}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Search and rescue arrangements in Australia|url=https://www.amsa.gov.au/safety-navigation/search-and-rescue/search-and-rescue-arrangements-australia|publisher=Australian Maritime Safety Authority|access-date=16 January 2018|archive-date=17 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117132735/https://www.amsa.gov.au/safety-navigation/search-and-rescue/search-and-rescue-arrangements-australia|url-status=live}}</ref> While the ADF does not have a significant nation-building role, it provides assistance to remote [[Indigenous Australian]] communities through the [[Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program]]. Under this program, which has been conducted since 1997, an [[Royal Australian Engineers|engineer squadron]] works with one community for several months each year to upgrade local infrastructure and provide training.<ref>{{cite web|title=Army Indigenous Initiatives|url=https://www.army.gov.au/our-people/army-indigenous-community/army-indigenous-initiatives|publisher=Australian Army|access-date=31 December 2017|archive-date=1 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101135258/https://www.army.gov.au/our-people/army-indigenous-community/army-indigenous-initiatives|url-status=live}}</ref> The ADF also took part in the [[Northern Territory National Emergency Response|intervention in remote Northern Territory Indigenous communities]] between June 2007 and October 2008. During this operation more than 600 ADF personnel provided logistical support to the Northern Territory Emergency Response Task Force and helped conduct child health checks.<ref>{{cite news|title=Military to end role in NT intervention|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/military-to-end-role-in-nt-intervention-20081031-5f8i.html|access-date=31 December 2017|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=31 October 2008|archive-date=1 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101082433/http://www.smh.com.au/national/military-to-end-role-in-nt-intervention-20081031-5f8i.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The ADF shares responsibility for [[counter-terrorism]] with civilian law enforcement agencies. Under ''Australia's Counter-Terrorism Strategy'', the [[Law enforcement in Australia|state and territory police]] and emergency services have the primary responsibility for responding to any terrorist incidents on Australian territory. If a terrorist threat or the consequences of an incident are beyond the capacity of civilian authorities to resolve, the ADF may be called out to provide support following a request from the relevant state or territory government. The Commonwealth Government has responsibility for responding to offshore terrorist incidents.{{sfn|Council of Australian Governments|2015|p=17}} ADF liaison officers are posted to civilian law enforcement agencies, and the military offers specialised training to police counter-terrorism teams.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Greene|first1=Andrew|title=Defence Force to take greater role in responding to domestic terrorism|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-17/defence-to-take-greater-role-in-domestic-terrorism-response/8713868|access-date=31 December 2017|work=ABC News|date=17 July 2017|archive-date=25 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125122907/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-17/defence-to-take-greater-role-in-domestic-terrorism-response/8713868|url-status=live}}</ref> To meet its counter-terrorism responsibilities the ADF maintains two elite [[Tactical Assault Group (Australia)|Tactical Assault Groups]], the Special Operations Engineer Regiment as well as a company-sized high readiness group in each [[Australian Army Reserve|Army Reserve]] brigade and the [[1st Commando Regiment]]. ADF intelligence assets also work with other Australian Government and police agencies to counter foreign terrorist threats.{{sfn|Smith|Bergin|2006|p=7}}{{sfn|Australian Government|2016|p=72}} While these forces provide a substantial counter-terrorism capability, the ADF does not regard domestic security as being part of its "core business".{{sfn|Smith|Bergin|2006|p=13}}
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