Creation of Australian Civilian Corps

Media release

1 October 2010

Legislation to establish and manage an Australian team of civilian specialists to assist countries emerging from natural disaster or conflict has been reintroduced to Parliament.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd reintroduced the Australian Civilian Corps Bill, and said the Government had committed to developing an Australian Civilian Corps after the idea was proposed by the Australia 2020 Summit in April 2008.

"The Australian Civilian Corps will build on initial emergency humanitarian efforts and help set the foundation for long-term sustainable development."

Members of the Corps will be drawn from a register of civilian specialists selected for their technical skills and ability to work in challenging environments overseas.

They will have expertise in areas such as public administration and finance, law and justice, engineering, agriculture and health administration.

They will be sought from all levels of government and the broader Australian community.

Minister Rudd said through the Corps an Australian water and sanitation planner could, for example, be deployed to assist local government officials rebuild water infrastructure following a natural disaster, or an Australian senior government official with expertise in budget administration could be deployed to assist a country with budget control following a conflict.

"We hope to have around 60 screened and trained civilian specialists on the Australian Civilian Corps register by the end of the year, and intend to build it up progressively to 500 by 2014."

The Australian Civilian Corps Bill provides for employment arrangements that are specifically designed to suit the unique nature of the Corps and its working environment.

In order to serve with the Corps, these civilian specialists will be engaged as a new category of Commonwealth employee under the legislation.

The Australian Civilian Corps is expected to be fully operational by early 2011.

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