HMAS Arafura Commissioning

I thank the Whadjuk Elders for their Welcome to Country, and acknowledge the Whadjuk people as the traditional owners of the greater Fremantle/Walyalup area. 

I also acknowledge all those who have served, or continue to serve our nation in uniform, and the families who support them who join us here today.

Your Excellency, The Hon Chris Dawson AC APM, Governor of Western Australia;

Nova Peris OAM, Ship’s Sponsor;  

Chief of Navy, Admiral Hammond;

Magenta Marshall MLA, Member for Rockingham on behalf of Paul Papalia, WA Minister for Defence Industries;

Distinguished guests;

Friends All;

It is my pleasure to join you in celebrating the commissioning of HMAS Arafura into Australia’s naval fleet, marking a major milestone of the Australian Government’s implementation of the Surface Fleet Review. 

Arafura is the first of its class, and was built in South Australia at Osborne.

The second in this class – to be known as Eyre – has also been built and is in the water.

The remaining four ships are under construction right now at Henderson shipyard here in WA; part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to securing the future for shipbuilding in Western Australia.

This ship represents progress on our plan for Australian workers to build vessels for the fleet faster than Australia has for decades, to ensure the Navy has what it needs to secure our national interests at sea. 

I’ve had the tour - it provides much better living quarters and amenities…

… to support our highly skilled naval personnel as they patrol and protect our coastline, from Torbay Head, WA’s most southern point, to Cape Londonderry in our north, and through the Arafura Sea; all the way around the eastern and southern coasts of Australia.

Arafura will undertake maritime security work throughout Australia’s waters and in the South West Pacific and South East Asia. 

These new capabilities have a greater range of 4,000 nautical miles, and can perform roles that previously required numerous vessels. 

It may be called upon for humanitarian aid when disaster strikes. 

And it will help achieve the deeper and stronger defence relationships we are building with our friends and partners in the Indian Ocean and in the Pacific, to help secure a peaceful future for the region. 

To be part of the inaugural Ship’s Company is very special, and I congratulate every member along with the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Marc Beecroft.

I know his family has a long history in Western Australia, and as a proud Fremantle local, today is a very special day for Lieutenant Commander Beecroft and his family. 

I sincerely thank all the Navy families who are present here today.

Your patience, your support and your willingness to share your loved one with our nation is essential to Australia’s security, and the Albanese Government and the Australian people are very grateful to you. 

Arafura arrived in Western Australia via the Great Australian Bight, and I’m told the ship handled that demanding stretch of water perfectly. 

That bodes well for its handling of the challenging waters off our North West coast, for which Arafura’s seakeeping and endurance makes it so well suited. 

I wish HMAS Arafura fair winds and following seas, and formally welcome the ship to the Australian naval fleet. 

Thank you.