David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 5 July 2011:

For the period 1 January to 30 June 2011:

(1) Which submarines in the Royal Australian Navy fleet were fully operational ready for tasking with a full crew complement and capable of completing Unit Ready Days and Tasking Ready Days.

(2) How many actual sea going fully operational days were achieved by each submarine.

Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question

(1) The following submarines were in their operating cycles during the period 1 January to 30 June 2011:

HMAS Waller was in its operating cycle throughout the period.

HMAS Dechaineux was in its operating cycle throughout the period.

The term 'Tasking Ready Days' is not used by the Royal Australian Navy. 'Unit Ready Days' are the days a submarine is available for tasking.

(2) Details of the operational activities of submarines are not disclosed in public for reasons of operational and national security. Navy's achievement of unit ready days will be reported in the Defence Annual Report 2010/11. Defence's offer of a private briefing on these matters remains.