Michael Forshaw (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is directed to Senator Ellison representing the Minister for Defence. Can the minister confirm that the Navy submarine rescue vessel, the Remora, which sank off Rottnest Island three months ago, remains on the seafloor? Is it true that while the rescue vessel remains 125 metres underwater the Navy does not have any submarine rescue capability? What are the implications for the Navy’s submarine capability of not having a rescue vessel available? Does the government intend to salvage the rescue vessel or will it be abandoned and a new rescue vessel purchased? How long are either of these options likely to take and what will be the cost to the taxpayers?

Chris Ellison (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice and Customs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I understand that operations are ongoing. The fact is that it is in difficult circumstances and Navy is still assessing the situation in relation to whether it has the capacity to retrieve that vessel. I will get an update for Senator Forshaw and advise the Senate. I understand that Navy is working on this and it is a work in progress.

Michael Forshaw (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I thank the minister for his answer but I am not sure how serious he really is about it as a work in progress. Given that the Navy has been without its submarine rescue vessel now for three months and will remain so for an indefinite time in future, why have personnel been despatched to try and recover the wreckage of a submarine which sank off the coast of Papua New Guinea in 1914? Shouldn’t they be endeavouring to salvage the Remora first so that our submarine capability can become fully operational once again?

Chris Ellison (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice and Customs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am not so sure that the use of personnel in PNG is detracting from the operation in Western Australia. That is an assumption that Senator Forshaw makes without foundation. I have indicated to the Senate that I will give an update on the operation on Remora and I will get back to the Senate.