Government House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
14 September 2015
The Governor-General is pleased to announce the following honorary appointment within the Military Division of the Order of Australia:
ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Honorary Officer (AO) in the Military Division
Admiral Dr Tio MARSETIO, Indonesian Navy, Retired
Kav. Kowilhan Blok B5 No.7, JETU, CIPAYONG JAKARTA, INDONESIA
For distinguished service to the relationship between Australia and Indonesia as the Commander of KRI Nala, Deputy Chief and Chief of Naval Staff of the Indonesian Navy.
By His Excellency’s Command
Mark Fraser LVO OAM
Official Secretary to the Governor-General
APPOINTED AN HONORARY OFFICER (AO)
IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Admiral Dr Tio MARSETIO, Indonesian Navy, Retired
For distinguished service to the relationship between Australia and Indonesia as the Commander of KRI Nala, Deputy Chief and Chief of Naval Staff of the Indonesian Navy.
Admiral Dr Marsetio joined the Indonesian Navy in 1981 as a Seaman Officer. During his distinguished 34 year career he has held important seagoing and shore commands and fulfilled key staff appointments. He was appointed to Chief of Indonesian Naval Staff in December 2012.
As Commanding Officer of the frigate KRI Nala in 1998-99, Admiral Marsetio operated in eastern Indonesia and in waters between East Timor and Australia. His distinguished conduct directly assisted mutual understanding and helped de‑escalation of tensions enabling Indonesia and Australia to avoid conflict in the maritime domain.
As Deputy Chief of Indonesian Naval Staff during 2010-2012, Admiral Marsetio’s strategic vision for the development of Indonesian Navy’s human resources empowered an Indonesian Navy culture receptive to change, modernisation, and international outreach. His personal prioritising of Indonesian warships and people enabled re-commencement of bilateral cooperation activities such as Exercise New Horizon and Coordinated Maritime Patrols. Marsetio drove Indonesian Navy staff attendance at strategic fora such as the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium and Western Pacific Naval Symposium, which were key activities in reinvigorating bilateral naval and broader military relations between Indonesia and Australia.
Promoted to Admiral, and appointed as the professional head of the Indonesian Navy, Marsetio’s personal energy and attention has led to ever more substantial personal relationships and interactions between the navies of Indonesia and Australia. His distinguished leadership, broad strategic vision and consistently constructive approach has led to more frequent counterpart visits, new exchange positions and better opportunities for attendance at training courses and planning conferences. Marsetio’s support never wavered in the face of bilateral relationship challenges. His innate constructiveness and approachability proved crucial to managing the outcomes from the inadvertent maritime incursions. His exceptional personal engagement provided a timely and trusted communication and his wise counsel informed both Australian and Indonesian senior decision makers.
Overview
The Gazette, C2015G01528, issued on 14 September 2015, recognises the distinguished service of Admiral Dr Tio Marsetio of the Indonesian Navy through the appointment of an Honorary Officer (AO) in the Military Division of the Order of Australia. This honorary appointment by the Governor-General acknowledges Admiral Marsetio's significant contributions to strengthening the relationship between Australia and Indonesia, particularly during his tenure as Commander of KRI Nala, Deputy Chief, and Chief of Naval Staff of the Indonesian Navy. Admiral Marsetio's leadership and strategic vision were pivotal in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation, facilitating peace and stability in the maritime domain and enhancing bilateral military relations between the two nations.
Scope and Application
The announcement of the appointment of Admiral Dr Tio Marsetio, Retired, to the Military Division of the Order of Australia as an Honorary Officer (AO) recognises his distinguished service to fostering the relationship between Australia and Indonesia. Specifically, the Act acknowledges Admiral Dr Marsetio’s conduct in his capacity as Commander of KRI Nala and as Deputy Chief and Chief of Naval Staff of the Indonesian Navy. This honorary appointment is a Commonwealth-level recognition and is not subject to any jurisdictional limitations, applying to the individual named in the Act. The Act does not outline specific exclusions or exemptions, but the criteria for such appointments typically involve notable contributions to Australia's interests, which in this case, extends to international military relations. The scope of this Act is limited to the individual's recognition and does not extend to subordinate instruments or other entities or industries.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of this piece of legislation are the appointment details and the citation for the award (paragraphs 1 and 2). Section 1 details the appointment of Admiral Dr Tio Marsetio as an Honorary Officer (AO) in the Military Division of the Order of Australia, and section 2 provides the citation for the award, recognising his distinguished service to the relationship between Australia and Indonesia.
This Act imposes certain obligations and requirements on the parties involved. Admiral Dr Marsetio, upon acceptance of the honour, is required to adhere to the protocols and responsibilities associated with being a member of the Order of Australia, including representing the honour with dignity and upholding the values and principles of the Order. The Australian government, through the Governor-General, acknowledges and formalises the recognition of Admiral Marsetio’s distinguished service and its impact on the relationship between Australia and Indonesia.
There are no explicit offences, penalties, or consequences for breach detailed in this legislation. However, as an honorary member of the Order of Australia, Admiral Dr Marsetio would be expected to abide by the guidelines and standards set forth by the Order, and any failure to do so could potentially result in the revocation of the honour. The consequences of such revocation would be largely ceremonial and reputational, rather than legal, but would involve formal processes of review and decision-making by the Australian government.
Admiral Dr Marsetio's appointment as an Honorary Officer in the Military Division of the Order of Australia is a formal recognition of his distinguished service to the relationship between Australia and Indonesia. This honour highlights the significant contributions he made during his career, particularly in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between the two nations' navies. The citation details his strategic vision, leadership, and personal engagement in various roles, which have been instrumental in strengthening bilateral military relations. The award serves as a testament to his dedication and the positive impact of his service on international relations.