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

(—) (): Again, I thank Senator Reynolds. There have been two recent further requests from the government of Fiji for additional support. Yesterday, the government of Fiji requested the deployment of HMAS Canberra to assist in the relief operation. The ADF is undertaking some quite detailed preparations to deploy HMAS Canberra, and she is anticipated to arrive on or around 1 March. It is worthy to note that there is a cyclone of varying degrees between us and Fiji still, so that is a detailed process. This would be the first deployment of HMAS Canberra in support of a humanitarian and disaster relief operation overseas. Following a further request from the government of Fiji, a P3 Orion surveillance aircraft has now also been tasked to assist in the damage assessment. I refer to the work of the New Zealand Defence Force and one of their Orions earlier in the week. And, of course, we stand ready to respond to any further requests for assistance. (Time expired)