Mr Greg Moriarty 
Secretary
Department of Defence
PO Box 7900
Canberra BC ACT 2610

Dear Mr Moriarty 
COMPLIANCE ADVICE ON THE PROPOSED 
defence force recruiting Campaign (2018–19)
The Independent Communications Committee (the Committee) considers proposed advertising campaigns with expenditure expected to be $250,000 or more, and provides independent advice to the relevant Chief Executive.
On 9 May 2018, the Committee considered the 2018–19 media buy for the ongoing Defence Force Recruiting campaign being developed by the Department of Defence. As part of its consideration of this campaign, the Committee met with your officers and reviewed the following supporting documentation:
1.	Campaign communication strategy
2.	draft media strategy and indicative media plan overview
3.	a statement against Principles 1 to 4 of the Guidelines on Information and Advertising Campaigns by non-corporate Commonwealth entities (Guidelines). 
The Committee is satisfied that the campaign is relevant to government responsibilities (Principle 1), and that the campaign is being developed in line with Principles 2 to 4 of the Guidelines.  The Committee’s view has been formed at the communication strategy stage, and it has not considered the advertising materials to be placed during the period. For this reason, the Committee has concluded that the proposed Defence Force Recruiting campaign is capable of complying with Principles 1 to 4 of the Guidelines.  
As legal and procurement matters relating to the campaign are not considered by this Committee, you will need to seek advice and assurance from your entity with respect to compliance with Principle 5 of the Guidelines. 
This letter will be published on the Department of Finance website after the campaign is launched. 
Any additional phases of the campaign will require separate consideration by the Committee.
Yours sincerely

(SIGNED)
Chris Faulks
Acting Chair
Independent Communications Committee
    
 9 May 2018