Barry O'Sullivan (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence, Senator Payne.

Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This'll be good!

Barry O'Sullivan (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would suggest you listen to this one. Can the minister advise the Senate of the support the Australian Defence Force is providing to Queenslanders affected by Cyclone Debbie?

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

I thank Senator O'Sullivan for his question. Indeed, our thoughts are with the people and communities of North Queensland at this very dangerous time. As Tropical Cyclone Debbie makes landfall in north-eastern Queensland, our ADF—its highly trained personnel, its equipment and their experience—are ready to assist those who are affected. The ADF has pre-positioned its humanitarian assistance and disaster relief assets to provide immediate assistance to local communities who may be affected. We are working closely with the Queensland government and Emergency Management Australia. The ADF has established a joint task force to provide support for the region. This task force is largely made up of personnel from the Townsville based 3rd Brigade. We are also sending additional assets to Queensland in preparation.

HMAS Choules is heading to Queensland to be ready to support recovery efforts if required. She will take on supplies in Brisbane early tomorrow morning and will be ready to sail north as soon as it is safe to do so. Air Force aircraft in Townsville, Darwin and Amberley are on standby to provide airlift capability for the delivery of essential stores and equipment as well as wide area surveillance. Two Navy MRH helicopters have deployed to Oakey and are ready to provide immediate support in addition to the existing Army rotary wing aircraft based in Townsville.

At the request of Premier Palaszczuk, the Turnbull government has agreed that Brigadier Chris Field, currently the commander of 3rd Brigade in Townsville, will act as the recovery coordinator for Tropical Cyclone Debbie. As the Queensland Premier, Ms Palaszczuk, has said in relation to support being provided by the ADF, 'The level of cooperation is unprecedented.' She has thanked the Commonwealth 'very much' for making the Australian Defence Force personnel available to help Queenslanders in their hour of need.

This is a very pressing task for the ADF. We hope that the emergency is not as considerable as predicted—of course we do—but we will be there with the people of Queensland is required. (Time expired)

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator O'Sullivan, a supplementary question.

Barry O'Sullivan (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, to the extent that I am entitled, can I thank you on behalf of Queenslanders for the thoughtful preparation. Can the minister detail some of the ADF capabilities that will be available to assist?

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

The joint task force, which is task force 661, will be well positioned to supplement a range of Queensland state disaster response options. Our response will include ADF medical teams that can provide support both on the ground and via aeromedical evacuation; airborne search and rescue capabilities, including Air Force Orions, Hercules and King Airs and the Navy's multirole helicopters; transportation of personnel as well as the delivery of supplies and stores through Army Chinooks and Army and Navy multirole helicopters; Army engineering, to support assistance with road clearance and debris removal; emergency military accommodation; amphibious vessels from HMAS Choules for remote coastal stores delivery which may be required; mental health psychological support teams; and Navy expeditionary reconnaissance and clearance teams, who may be required to survey and clear harbours of debris. Our personnel are positioned in the Queensland government emergency management centres in Brisbane and in Townsville and other regional communities, and we will make every effort to meet any requests for additional capabilities. (Time expired)

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator O'Sullivan, a final supplementary question.

Barry O'Sullivan (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister outline how else Defence has supported disaster relief operations across Australia?

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

Firstly, let me be clear, the issues with HMAS Canberra and Adelaide have not affected Defence's ability to meet its operational tasks. Under the ADF's regular planning cycle, HMAS Choules assumed duties as the online, or ready, ship to support any HADR requirements in mid-March. She is a 16,000-tonne ship that is well suited for disaster relief operations. That is why she is now sailing towards Queensland to assist those impacted by this significant cyclonic event. Navy has directly addressed any misconceptions around this issue in a statement, which is on the ADF 'On the record' web page today. The Australian Defence Force has a very proud history of supporting Australian communities which have been hit hard by natural disasters. In 2009, over 600 Defence personnel worked with the Victorian government after the Black Saturday bushfires. We supported communities in Brisbane and the Lockyer Valley following the floods in January 2011; in 2011, again, in Cyclone Yasi; and again after Cyclone Marcia in 2015. (Time expired)