The Northern Command is a joint operational Australian Defence Force formation. Northern Command is responsible for the planning and conduct of operations to the north of Australia during peacetime and wartime. In addition, Northern Command manages the defence aspects of the multi-agency Maritime Border Command.
The Northern Command's roles and responsibilities include the following, as of 2003:[1]
the conduct of military surveillance and response operations
direct, coordinate and support all Defence Aid to the Civil Community activities
facilitate support to Defence Force Aid to the Civil Authority
re-establish and maintain military operational links with military counterparts in Eastern Indonesia. [As of 2007 the nearest Indonesian TNI regional command was Kodam IX/Udayana.]
act as the ADF single point of contact for, and coordinate ADF liaison with the NT Government
coordinate ADF liaison with Commonwealth, State, Territory and Local Govt Agencies, NGOs, other agencies and organisations, and the community
facilitate industry and commercial support to ADF operations and exercises.