The Defence Acts set out the conditions under which Permanent Defence Force personnel may be deployed overseas.
My Department will soon commence work on a Strategic Defence Review, which will provide an opportunity to review all aspects of defence policy, including the conditions under which Defence Forces' personnel are deployed overseas. Arising from the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces, a significant overhaul of the Defence Acts will be required. This will provide an opportunity to modernise the legislation in a range of areas, including, if considered appropriate, in relation to the legal requirements for overseas deployments.
In the context of the legislative changes that will be necessary, my officials will engage with the Office of the Attorney General.