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

I thank Senator Whish-Wilson for his question. Australia is part of the US-led Combined Maritime Forces, as you would be aware, in the Middle East and has been for a number of years. In fact, HMAS Newcastle, which I believe to be the vessel that you're referring to, is the 65th rotation in which Australia is participating in the Combined Maritime Forces.

When the CMF is active and the members thereof are active, it's a 32-nation US-led partnership. It's focused on countering terrorism, on preventing piracy, on encouraging regional cooperation and on promoting a safe maritime environment in international waters. When participants in the Combined Maritime Forces are active, they engage opportunistically, as it were, from time to time in joint activities such as the one to which Senator Whish-Wilson refers. That is the basis upon which the engagement occurred between Australia and Saudi Arabia and their respective navies.

Our contribution to maritime security in the Middle East region does not include enforcement of any blockade on Yemen. We are in no way involved in that process. I'm not aware of the status of the correspondence from Human Rights Watch, but I will take that aspect of your question on notice and seek advice from Defence.