New Commander for Maritime Border Command

Royal Australian Navy Rear Admiral Peter Laver today takes up the post of Commander Maritime Border Command (MBC), Australia’s lead civil maritime security authority, hosted within the Australian Border Force (ABF).

Rear Admiral Laver takes up the command continuing a distinguished naval career spanning nearly 40 years, most recently in the role of Chief of Staff Navy Strategic Command.

ABF Commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg welcomed Rear Admiral Laver to the role, and thanked outgoing Commander, Rear Admiral Michael Noonan, for his dedicated service over the past two years. Rear Admiral Noonan will take up the position of Deputy Chief of Navy on 28 January 2016.

“Rear Admiral Laver comes to the role with valuable experience, including having commanded HMAS Tobruk in 2002 while on border protection duties in Australian waters,” Commissioner Quaedvlieg said.

“This is an important appointment for the ABF and demonstrates our ongoing commitment and focus to protect Australia’s maritime domain.”

Rear Admiral Laver said he was honoured to assume command of MBC, a position he described as exciting and challenging.

“Australia’s maritime domain exceeds 10 million square kilometres, and protecting this vast expanse from the wide range of civil maritime threats is a very important role,” Rear Admiral Laver said.

“I look forward to working with the men and women of MBC to continue the outstanding work undertaken by my predecessor, Rear Admiral Noonan.”

MBC is an ABF-hosted multi-agency taskforce including both ABF and Australian Defence Force personnel, operating primarily offshore to safeguard Australia’s extensive maritime jurisdiction.

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