George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Senator Leyonhjelm, for your question, and thank you for the courtesy of the advance notice you gave my office of the question. I do have some information for you.

The government is a great supporter of the tourism industry. Cruise ships use a number of berths in Sydney Harbour. During the peak season in Sydney, both cruise ships and the Navy increase the demand for berth space at Garden Island. Access is open to the whole cruise industry, but access is obviously subject to operational support and security requirements, which may change at short notice. The Commonwealth has to ensure that maintenance and operational support assets at Garden Island are funded and utilised as best as possible to deliver the naval capability required by Defence—a proposition with which, Senator Leyonhjelm, I am sure you would agree.

The security of Defence facilities is also of significance, and the security situation—as you would well understand, Senator—can change rapidly. The government has agreed to continue the offer of up to three cruise ship visits to Garden Island each season, subject to operational support and security requirements. Seven cruise ship visits to Garden Island were sought by the Port Authority of New South Wales in the January to March 2015 time frame. Of those, only two could not be accommodated for operational reasons; four were withdrawn by the Port Authority; and one was accommodated at a naval buoy.