The Australian Government will increase the Australian civilian effort in Afghanistan, focused on Oruzgan province.
Working alongside the Australian Defence Force, in an integrated civilian-military effort, Australia will increase its diplomatic, development assistance and police contribution to around 50 personnel.
This represents around a 50 percent increase of Australia's current contribution.
The additional diplomatic and development assistance staff will be based in Kabul, Kandahar and Tarin Kowt.
They will expand our delivery of practical development assistance projects that improve the capacity of national and local officials, and improve governance and service delivery at the local level.
The additional police personnel will be based in Tarin Kowt.
They will strengthen the work to mentor and train the Afghan National Police to allow a progressive transition to Afghan policing responsibility in the province.
Australia is committed to ensuring Afghanistan never again becomes a haven for the export of terrorism.
We are committed to supporting the United States in achieving this, and we are working closely with the Government of Afghanistan and our international partners.
The new strategy of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan is focused on twin objectives of improving security and governance.
This increased civilian effort is a prudent and considered additional contribution to support those objectives.