John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Johnston for his supplementary question. Over the Christmas period, half the patrol boat fleet will remain on duty protecting our borders, while our frigate HMAS Parramatta and the Australian led Combined Task Force 158 personnel will remain on duty in the Middle East. As in the past, the Navy stands ready to respond swiftly to any unforeseen emergencies in our region with a frigate on standby on both the east and the west coast.