George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, Senator. It is, of course, primarily a matter for the New South Wales government to consider what measures can be taken to ensure that the rapidly-growing cruise industry continues to benefit Sydney. Nevertheless, in the answer I have given to your primary question, I have outlined the way in which Defence accommodates the cruise industry at Garden Island.

Garden Island is a purpose-built naval base, with the required infrastructure and security built to accommodate the Navy's needs. When all berths are fully operational, they will meet the Navy's requirements for cycling ships between berths dedicated to heavy maintenance and those berths best assigned to operational ships. That constitutes the constraint, which I indicated in my answer to your primary question, on the capacity of the Navy to accommodate the cruise ship industry.