David Fawcett (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence, Senator Payne. Will the minister please provide the Senate with the latest update on the situation in Fiji arising from Tropical Cyclone Winston and on the contribution of the Australian Defence Force?

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

I thank Senator Fawcett very much for his question and particularly acknowledge his longstanding interest in defence issues and, in this instance, particularly in our humanitarian assistance and disaster relief work.

Our thoughts are with the people of Fiji following the devastating impact of Tropical Cyclone Winston over the weekend, which has caused severe damage in the Pacific. This cyclone is the strongest tropical cyclone ever recorded to make landfall in Fiji, with reports of widespread destruction and devastation and, tragically, the death of 17 people. I want to acknowledge the government of Fiji for their work in putting in place a number of precautionary measures to protect their citizens and endeavour to limit the damage. Early assessments indicate that those measures have helped to reduce the loss of life.

I am pleased to say that Defence is working quickly with other Australian government agencies to ensure a coordinated response to this natural disaster. We are also working with our friends in New Zealand in the response process. I can confirm that Australia will provide MRH90 helicopters to assist Fiji to carry out assessments and provide relief to the outlying islands in particular affected by the cyclone.

The initial movement of advance elements departs today from RAAF Base Amberley and will provide the personnel necessary to assist the government of Fiji and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. These initial elements will be deployed by C17A Globemaster and will arrive in Fiji this afternoon. Australia also has two AP3C Orion aircraft on standby in the region that can be activated at short notice, if that is requested by the government of Fiji, and they are able to assist with aerial surveillance of affected areas.

The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, spoke this morning with his Fijian counterpart, Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Rear Admiral Naupoto— (Time expired)

David Fawcett (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Can the minister advise how the Australian Defence Force is working with its regional partners in the response?

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

In addition to the CDF's conversation with Rear Admiral Naupoto today to ensure the effective coordination of our support, as I referred to earlier, the ADF is also working closely with the New Zealand Defence Force to coordinate our support to the government of Fiji. I am aware that New Zealand has deployed a P3 Orion to assist with aerial assessment in the early days.

We are also working with the Pacific Islands Forum, which is consulting with its broader membership about how they are able to assist in Fiji as it, as a country, identifies the areas in which particular assistance is needed. We have also engaged with other international partners, such as the United Kingdom and the United States, and are keeping them informed of our contributions to enable them to consider areas in which they may assist. Australia is also working in close cooperation with France through our France-Australia-New Zealand trilateral disaster relief arrangement here in the Pacific.

David Fawcett (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Could the minister detail to the Senate whether the ADF is able to provide any further assistance, if requested by Fiji?

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

I thank Senator Fawcett. That is an important question, given that the full impact of the cyclone is not yet clear, because power and communications remain down right across the country, and that makes challenging the identification of particular areas of need. As the situation becomes clearer the ADF stands ready to provide further assistance to support Fiji's relief and recovery efforts, as they may request.

Australia does have some additional capabilities that may be of assistance. One of those in particular would be HMAS Canberra, one of the Navy's new LHD amphibious vessels. It is on standby should the Fiji government request it. HMAS Canberra has a very significant medical support capacity and can also transport heavy earthmoving equipment should that be needed by the Fiji government. We will continue to plan with the Fiji government and with New Zealand, in particular, to ensure that we are able to provide the quickest possible response to any further requests from Fiji.