Vince Connelly (Stirling, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On Friday I represented the Minister for Defence at the handover of a brand new Guardian class patrol boat, the RKS Teanoai II, to our Pacific neighbour Kiribati. This vessel has been delivered under the Australian government's Pacific Maritime Security Program, a $2 billion, 30-year commitment to further enhance regional cooperation. I am proud that the 21 Guardian class patrol boats are being constructed in my home state of Western Australia by Austal ships. This is creating 400 Australian jobs whilst enhancing our sovereign shipbuilding capability.

As the name suggests, RKS Teanoai II is the second vessel of its kind that Australia has gifted to Kiribati. The first was in service for the past 27 years. This new vessel has greater range and greater speed than her predecessor and will enable Kiribati to respond more effectively to both traditional and non-traditional threats. It will also provide greater security over regional fish populations on which both Australia and Kiribati rely. As fellow island nations, as regional partners, Australia and Kiribati recognise the importance of maritime security to our shared prosperity and sovereignty. I wish the crew all the very best for their journey home on this fantastic new vessel.