The Australian Government has now settled the composition of its contribution to the Netherlands-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Afghanistan.
Following extensive consultation with the Governments of the Netherlands and Afghanistan, Australia will contribute approximately 240 ADF personnel.
Australia's contribution, to be known as the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF), will work on reconstruction and community-based projects as part of Australia's commitment to assisting Afghanistan achieve a stable and secure future.
The Australian contribution will also include skills training for the local population to ensure the benefits of the deployment continue long after our personnel have returned home.
The Australian commitment with the Netherlands in Oruzgan province in southern Afghanistan will form part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force's (ISAF's) Stage III expansion into southern Afghanistan which begins in the latter half of this year.
I am also pleased to announce that the deployment of two Chinook (CH-47D) helicopters will be extended until April 2007 to support the RTF and the Netherlands-led PRT. The Chinooks will conduct airlift support and aeromedical evacuations in support of the ISAF mission.
These announcements further demonstrate the Australian Government's continuing commitment to Afghanistan's reconstruction and stabilisation and are in addition to development-aid funding.
Australia has contributed $110 million since 2001 to assist reconstruction and development in Afghanistan. Earlier this year, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, The Hon. Alexander Downer MP announced an additional $55 million in aid through to June 2007, which is part of an indicative $150 million that Australia has committed over the next five years.