DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6265 3343, Fax: 02 62656946
MSPA 387/08
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
QUARANTINE AWARD FOR DEFENDING BORDERS
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has received a national award for its efforts in
quarantine and biosecurity management.
At the 10th annual Quarantine and Export Advisory Council (QEAC) National Quarantine
Awards, the Joint Movement Control Office (JMCO) – Darwin received the Public Sector
Quarantine Award for its efforts in educating Defence personnel who are deploying overseas
on operations and exercises, and putting in place screening and control measures to reduce the
risk of quarantine breaches.
The Commander of the 1st Joint Movement Group (1JMOVGP), the headquarters of JMCO-
Darwin, Colonel Craig McConachy said the award was important recognition that Defence
was applying the highest quarantine standards in difficult operating environments.
“Defence appreciates the importance of quarantine and biosecurity barriers to protect
Australia’s agricultural sector and natural environment. We have a responsibility to Australia
to ensure that we do all that we can to reduce the threat posed by animal, pest and disease
entering Australia,” Colonel McConachy said.
Through 1JMOVGP, JMCO-Darwin works closely with Australian Quarantine and Inspection
Service (AQIS) officers to ensure it is reducing and removing the risk of importing material
which may carry an animal, pest or disease threat.
Colonel McConachy said AQIS officials were integral to education and awareness programs
within Defence as well as providing advice and support to screening and risk management
programs at the ports of embarkation for Defence personnel returning to Australia.
“Defence takes quarantine seriously and has a series of spot checks, audits and other
mechanisms to ensure our approach to biosecurity is best practice.”
Defence’s proactive attitude to quarantine was also recognised last year with the Public Sector
Quarantine Award granted to the AQIS Talisman Saber 2007 team.
Accepting the award on behalf of 1JMOVGP was Majorw Emmet O’Mahoney, the Officer
Commanding JMCO-Darwin.
Defence congratulated the other award winners and paid tribute to the 100 years of action by
Government and individuals in battling the threat of imported animal, pest and disease since
the signing of the Quarantine Act in 1908.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
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