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:

(1) For the period 1 January to 30 June 2011: (a) which submarines in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) fleet were non-operational; and (b) for each submarine that was non-operational, what was the reason for its non-operational status.

(2) For the period 1 January to 30 June 2011, which submarines in the RAN fleet were: (a) fully operational and ready to respond to ‘war like’ situations; and (b) for what periods.

(3) What was the cost of maintaining the six submarines for the periods:

(a) 1 January to 30 June 2011; and (b) 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011.

(4) What was the total cost of operating the six submarines for the periods:

(a) 1 January to 30 June 2011; and (b) 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011.

(5) What was the total cost of upgrading the six submarines for the periods:

(a) 1 January to 30 June 2011; and (b) 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011.

(6) What were the crewing complements for each of the six submarines for each month in the periods: (a) 1 January to 30 June 2011; and (b) 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011.

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) (a) and (b) From 1 January to 30 June 2011, the following submarines were not in their operating cycles during the periods and for the reasons indicated:

(i) HMAS Collins was undergoing Certification Extension Docking maintenance throughout.

(ii) HMAS Farncomb was undergoing an Intermediate Docking and unscheduled maintenance until late June.

(iii) HMAS Sheean was in Full Cycle Docking throughout.

(iv) HMAS Rankin was also in Full Cycle Docking throughout.

(2) Details of the readiness of the submarine fleet are not disclosed in public for reasons of operational and national security.

(3) Total expenditure in maintaining the six submarines for the period:

(a) 1 January to 30 June 2011 was $262.8m, and

(b) 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011 was $415.8m.

Notes:

1. Financial Reporting Directorate, DMO has not finalised their assurance review of accruals reported by Branches.

2. Some invoices for work performed in June 2010 remain outstanding.

3. DMO Financial System hard close has not yet occurred.

(4) The cost of operating the six Collins Class Submarines for the period:

(a) 1 January to 30 June 2011 was $76.8m, and

(b) 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011 was $153.3m.

(5) The cost of upgrading the six Collins Class Submarines for the period:

(a) 1 January to 30 June 2011 was $24m, and

(b) 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011 was $57.6m.

Note:

1. DMO Financial System hard close has not yet occurred.

(6) (a) Crewing complements for each of the six submarines for each month in the period 1 January to 30 June 2011 were as follows:

(i) HMAS Collins – not crewed throughout.

(ii) HMAS Farncomb – full complement throughout.

(iii) HMAS Waller – full complement throughout.

(iv) HMAS Dechaineux – full complement throughout.

(v) HMAS Sheean – not crewed throughout.

(vi) HMAS Rankin – not crewed throughout.

(b) Crewing complements for each of the six submarines for each month in the period 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011 were as follows:

(i) HMAS Collins – full complement from July to December 2010 and then not crewed for the remainder of the period.

(ii) HMAS Farncomb – not crewed from July to December 2010 and then full complement for the remainder of the period.

(iii) HMAS Waller – full complement throughout.

(iv) HMAS Dechaineux – full complement throughout.

(v) HMAS Sheean – not crewed throughout.

(vi) HMAS Rankin – not crewed throughout.