Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to acknowledge the excellent work undertaken by Australian naval forces in the Middle East Gulf Region and to support the motion by the member for Bruce. Wagga Wagga in my electorate of Riverina is a tri-service city for defence training bases Kapooka, home of the soldier, for the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force at Forest Hill, which is also a Royal Australian Navy base—even though it is a long, long way from the nearest drop of sea water. I have met many graduates of these facilities and have no doubt that they are great men and women with the ultimate respect for their country and a desire to help those around the world.

Australia's contribution to the international campaign against terrorism, maritime security in the Middle East area of operations and countering piracy in the Gulf of Aden is the focus of Operation Slipper. Operation Slipper has been in action since 2001 and has maintained a naval contribution to the operations in the Middle East. The operation is led by Major-General Angus Campbell AM, who assumed command on 13 January 2011. General Campbell also leads all forces assigned to Operation Kruger in Iraq. Operation Slipper currently consists of a major fleet unit, the Adelaide class frigate HMAS Melbourne. This is cross-tasked between the United States-led combined maritime forces, combined task forces, 150 (counterterrorism), 151 (counterpiracy) and 152 (Gulf maritime security).

Through Operation Slipper, Australian forces contribute to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. The ISAF seeks to bring security, stability and prosperity to Afghanistan and aims to prevent the country from again becoming a safe haven for international terrorists. Australia has a commitment to Afghanistan and operates as part of a peace enforcement mission under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, at the invitation of the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1833. There are about 1,500 Australian military personnel based in Afghanistan as part of Australia's approach to supporting global security and Australian national security by countering terrorism and supporting efforts to prevent Afghanistan from being used as a safe haven and a training ground for terrorism.

The combined maritime forces patrol more than 2.5 million square miles of international water, carrying out both integrated and coordinated operations to increase the security and prosperity of the region by working together for a better future. The threat of terrorism is still very real. Terrorists do not play by the rules—they strike anywhere, anytime, usually with deadly outcomes. Additionally, our Navy is playing a vital role in stopping people smugglers at the start of the chain of events which so often lead to the Australian Navy intercepting illegal boat arrivals off the northern coast of Australia. The Royal Australian Navy can be proud of the efforts to date of all its personnel in the Middle East, and I am sure they will continue to play a vital role in the stability of this part of the world for a long time to come.

Debate adjourned.

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