Roger Price (Chifley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science and Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change. Can the minister provide an update on the Australian Defence Force assistance in the tragic aircraft crash in Papua New Guinea?

Greg Combet (Charlton, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I can update the House in relation to this issue. The Australian Defence Force is making assets available under Operation Kokoda Assist to aid the Papua New Guinean authorities in relation to this tragedy. This assistance includes HMAS Success with an embarked Sea King helicopter that has been diverted from its current location near the Torres Strait. The Sea King helicopter arrived at Port Moresby this morning and HMAS Success will arrive this afternoon.

I am informed that the Sea King departed Port Moresby for the accident site at 10.35 am this morning with a number of people on board, including two police officers and an Australian consul. A Caribou aircraft is currently available in Port Moresby for a separate activity, and was available for tasking from 7 am this morning. The Caribou departed for Kokoda village at 11 am today, carrying a PNG Defence Force infantry contingent and the Australian Deputy Head of Mission. Additionally, a C130 Hercules has departed RAAF Base Richmond this morning with the following capabilities: firstly, a command element led by Wing Commander David Howard; secondly, a medical team; and, thirdly, a six-person mobile air load team, which will be utilised as an incident site support party to assist. Three members of the Australian Federal Police are also on board from the disaster victim identification team.

In addition, two Army Black Hawk helicopters from the Sydney area are currently being prepared for movement today by a C17 Globemaster. They are expected to depart Richmond this afternoon if the request is made. Also on this flight will be the remaining 10 members of the Australian Federal Police disaster victim identification team and four members of the Australian Transport Safety Board. Additional Australian Defence Force manpower, including engineering support, may be available if it is required from personnel who are currently deployed to Papua New Guinea. Obviously, the ADF will make every effort to assist the PNG authorities in relation to this tragedy.