30 October 2008
MINDEF visits military establishments in WA
The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, today visited the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet Base West facilities at HMAS Stirling, Garden Island, as part of a visit to Defence units in Western Australia.
During the visit Mr Fitzgibbon had the opportunity to inspect the home of the Australian Submarine Squadron, Navy submarine training facilities, and the major Fleet units home-ported at Fleet Base West.
The Minister spoke with personnel based at HMAS Stirling. In particular, this provided the Minister the opportunity to talk with Navy submariners and discuss first-hand the challenges in recruiting and retaining people to crew Australia's submarine fleet.
"One of the biggest challenges currently facing the Australian Defence Force is the shortage of the right people with the right skills. A particular issue is ensuring we have sufficient Navy personnel to undertake the specialised and demanding role of crewing our submarines," Mr Fitzgibbon said.
The visit also allowed Mr Fitzgibbon to appreciate the strategic significance of Navy's facilities in Western Australia.
"Fleet Base West provides a strong Australian Defence Force presence in close proximity to South East Asian waters and plays a vital role in operational deployments of surface ships and submarines in this dynamic and increasingly complex region."
Fleet Base West is the homeport of many of the ships deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations in recent years. Earlier this year HMAS Arunta returned from a six month deployment to the Persian Gulf, following HMAS Toowoomba and HMAS Warramunga.
The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, (centre) talks with Chief Petty Officer Clearance Diver Bruce Harvey (left) and Petty Officer Clearance Diver Ben Abbott (right) at a morning tea at the Senior Sailors Mess on HMAS Stirling.
(Date taken: 27 October 2008)
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(Left to right) The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, talks to Able Seaman Clearance Diver Dale Johns during the morning tea at the Senior Sailors mess on HMAS Stirling.
(Date taken: 27 October 2008)
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The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP stands with sailors from the armoury at HMAS Stirling during a morning tea at the Senior Sailors Mess.
(Left to right) Leading Seaman Standen, Able Seaman Macdonald, Petty Officer Chapman, Minister for Defence the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Able Seaman Shirley and Leading Seaman Bauer-Simpson.
(Date taken: 27 October 2008)
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The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP answers questions for the media at a media door stop in front of Campbell Barracks in Western Australia.
(Date taken: 27 October 2008)
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The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP is shown the new Nary Special Operations Vehicle by a member of the Special Air Services Regiment (SASR) at Campbell Barracks.
(Date taken: 27 October 2008)
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The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP is shown the new Nary Special Operations Vehicle by a member of the Special Air Services Regiment (SASR) at Campbell Barracks.
(Date taken: 27 October 2008)
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The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP is shown the new Nary Special Operations Vehicle by a member of the Special Air Services Regiment (SASR) at Campbell Barracks.
(Date taken: 27 October 2008)
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(Left) The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP talks to members of the Special Air Services Regiment (SASR) whilst being shown some of the capabilities of the unit.
(Date taken: 27 October 2008)
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(Centre) The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP is shown some of the equipment used by members of the Special Air Services Regiment (SASR) during his visit to Campbell Barracks.
(Date taken: 27 October 2008)
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The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP (centre) talks with members of the Special Air Services Regiment (SASR) at an afternoon tea at Campbell Barracks in Western Australia.
(Date taken: 27 October 2008)
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The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP (centre) talks with members of the Special Air Services Regiment (SASR) at an afternoon tea at Campbell Barracks in Western Australia.
(Date taken: 27 October 2008)
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The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP conducts a sod turn commencing the construction for the Base Redevelopment on RAAF base Pearce in Western Australia.
(Left to right) Commanding Officer Combat Support Unit RAAF Pearce, Wing Commander Russell Page, The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP and Industrial Asset Development Project Director WA, Mr Gino Martiniello.
(Date taken: 28 October 2008)
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The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP conducts a sod turn, commencing the construction for the base redevelopment on RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia.
(Left to right) Commanding Officer Combat Support Unit RAAF Pearce, Wing Commander Russell Page, The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP and Industrial Asset Development Project Director WA, Mr Gino Martiniello.
(Date taken: 28 October 2008)
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The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, talks with Councillor for the City of Swan, Kevin Bailey (left) and Deputy Mayor of the City of Swan, Mr Mal Congerton during a morning tea at RAAF Base Pearce, Western Australia.
(Date taken: 28 October 2008)
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The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, talks with Lieutenant Commander Matthew Shand during a morning tea at RAAF Base Pearce, Western Australia.
(Date taken: 28 October 2008)
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The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP conducts a sod turn with Senior Site Manager from John Holland, Grahame Lowe-Guest and employees from John Holland, commencing the construction for the Base Redevelopment on RAAF base Pearce in Western Australia.
(Date taken: 28 October 2008)
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The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP conducts a sod turn with Senior Site Manager from John Holland, Grahame Lowe-Guest and employees from John Holland, commencing the construction for the Base Redevelopment on RAAF base Pearce in Western Australia.
(Date taken: 28 October 2008)
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