<P> The Department of Defence is staffed by both civilian and military personnel and includes agencies such as the Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO) and Defence Science and Technology Group (DST Group). </P> <P> The ADF's command arrangements are specified in the Defence Act (1903) and subordinate legislation . This act states that the Minister of Defence "shall have the general control and administration of the Defence Force" and that the CDF, the Secretary of the Department of Defence and the chiefs of the three services must act "in accordance with any directions of the Minister". The leaders of the ADO are also responsible to the junior ministers who are appointed to manage specific elements of the defence portfolio . Under the Second Turnbull Ministry two cabinet - level ministers have been responsible for the Defence portfolio since July 2016: the position of Minister for Defence is held by Senator Marise Payne, and Christopher Pyne is the Minister for Defence Industry . Dan Tehan is the Minister for Defence Personnel, a junior ministry . </P> <P> The CDF is the most senior appointment in the ADF . The CDF commands the ADF, and is notionally the equal of the Secretary of Defence, the most senior public servant in the Department of Defence . The CDF is the only four - star officer in the ADF and is a general, admiral or air chief marshal . As well as having command responsibilities, the CDF is the Minister for Defence's principal military adviser . Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin is the current CDF, and assumed this position on 30 June 2014 . Hugh White, a prominent academic and former Deputy Secretary in the Department of Defence, has criticised the ADF's current command structure . White argues that the Minister plays too large a role in military decision - making and does not provide the CDF and Secretary of Defence with necessary and sufficient authority to manage the ADO effectively . </P> <P> Under the current ADF command structure the day - to - day management of the ADF is distinct from the command of military operations . The services are administered through the ADO, with the head of each service (the Chief of Navy, Chief of Army and Chief of Air Force) and the service headquarters being responsible for raising, training and sustaining combat forces . The Chiefs are also the CDF's principal advisor on matters concerning the responsibilities of their service and form the Chiefs of Service Committee chaired by the CDF and also includes the Vice Chief of the Defence Force and the Chief of Joint Operations . </P>

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