Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

We are very strongly committed to the maritime security of the Middle East region, which is home, of course, to some of the world's most important shipping lanes. As I said,Arunta's deployment is the 64th rotation of a Royal Australian Navy vessel since 1990. It is actually the first time that we have deployed a ship to the Middle East on a nine-month rotation, which allows for a greater time on task. Aruntawill soon be relieved by HMAS Newcastle, which departed Sydney on Sunday to continue that longstanding support to maritime security in the Middle East.

As well as conducting counterterrorism operations, Australian vessels also contribute to countering piracy and to other security operations in the gulf. We also have Australian personnel embedded in the Combined Maritime Forces headquarters. Australia's contribution to the CMF, which is made up of 31 nations, supports that international community effort to promote stability and security across the Middle East. I want to acknowledge and thank the men and women of the ADF and their families for their efforts and for their service.