Senator LUDWIG (Special Minister of State and Cabinet Secretary) (9:56 AM) —I seek leave to go back to general business notice of motion No. 632 and to make a short, two-minute statement.

The PRESIDENT —Leave is granted for two minutes.

Senator LUDWIG —I think it is critical to put on the record that the government supports (a) to (f) of the motion moved by Senator Humphries; however, it does not support (g) to (i). The government recognises the important and at times hazardous service of those Australians employed as field constabulary officers, kiaps, in the territory of Papua New Guinea from 1949 to 1974.

I note that the government is working with the National Archives of Australia on a number of initiatives to promote kiap service, including future exhibits and publications. The government has also amended the National Medal Regulations 1999 to facilitate eligibility for service in PNG, including with the regular constabulary of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary to qualify for the National Medal.

The government fully supports greater public recognition of the important role which kiaps played in preparing PNG for independence; however, the government does not support any changes to the eligibility criteria to the Police Overseas Service Medal as put forward by the senator’s motion. The Police Overseas Service Medal is intended to be awarded for service and operations which have the purpose of making or maintaining peace between hostile parties in overseas locations. Although some aspects of kiaps’ service did involve peacekeeping operations, it cannot be classified as peacekeeping operations in the sense intended by the Police Overseas Service Medal.