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 20 August 2012:

(1) For the period 1 January to 30 June 2012, (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 2012, which submarines in the RAN fleet were: (a) fully operational and ready to respond to 'war like' situations: and (b) for what periods?

(3) For the period 1 January to 30 June 2012, what was the cost of: (a) maintaining; (b) operating; and (c) upgrading, the six submarines?

(4) What were the crewing complements for each of the six submarines for each month in the period 1 January to 30 June 2012?

Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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

(1) and (2) (a) and (b)

Navy applies the definition of 'operating cycle' in unclassified responses to questions on the operational status of naval vessels. The operational status of submarines in accordance with this definition for the period 1 January to 30 June 2012 has been reported in the response to Senate Question on Notice 2058.

(3) (a) The total cost of maintaining the six submarines over the period 1 January to 30 June 2012 was $261.2million.

(b) The total cost of operating the six submarines over the period 1 January to 30 June 2012 was $88.5million.

(c) The total cost of upgrading the six submarines over the period 1 January to 30 June 2012 was $21.2million.

(4) Submarines were crewed as follows over the period 1 January to 30 June 2012: