Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, visited Australian Defence Force personnel in Afghanistan during a visit to Kabul, Afghanistan on 10 August 2016.

During her visit, Senator Payne visited the Afghan National Army Officer Academy, where she was briefed by Chief Mentor, Afghan National Army Officer Academy, British Army Brigadier Ian Rigden and Australian Senior National Representative Afghan National Army Officers Academy, Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Jenkins. Senator Payne then met and had lunch with Australian Defence Force personnel at Camp Qargha.

During her visit to Kabul, Senator Payne also met with the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and the Minister of Defense, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Lieutenant General Abdullah Khan Habibi.

Later in the day, Senator Payne addressed Australian Defence Force embeds and representatives from the Australian Embassy at the NATO-led Resolute Support mission Headquarters, during an afternoon tea in Destille Gardens.

The Senator praised the good work of all Australian Defence Force members deployed to Afghanistan, and the contribution that is being made to the Resolute Support mission.

Australia is one of the largest non-NATO contributors in Afghanistan. Around 270 ADF personnel are deployed to Task Group Afghanistan as part of Operation Highroad, fulfilling a variety of roles supporting the NATO-led Resolute Support mission.