A proposal to establish a team of Australian civilian specialists, who would assist nations emerging from natural disasters or conflicts, has been reintroduced in the Parliament of Australia.
The idea for an Australian civilian corps, which is expected to be operational by early 2011, was proposed by the Australia 2020 Summit in April 2008.
>> Australia to Deploy Civilian Corps for Disaster and Conflict Zones
“The Australian Civilian Corps will build on initial emergency humanitarian efforts and help set the foundation for long-term sustainable development,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Kevin Rudd, who reintroduced the Australian Civilian Corps Bill.
Members of the corps will be selected from a register of civilian specialists. They will have expertise in areas such as public administration and finance, law and justice, engineering, agriculture and health administration.
“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,” Rudd said.
