Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for his first question. On 13 January I farewelled HMAS Toowoomba and her crew of 190 personnel on a six-month deployment to the Middle East under Operation Manitou, and I'm very happy to report to the Senate that they are already doing our nation proud. Manitou is Australia's longest-standing commitment to maritime security and stability in the Middle East. This is not a new mission. HMAS Toowoomba is in fact the 68th Royal Australian Naval deployment to the region since 1990. HMAS Toowoomba commenced operation on 31 January and has already conducted a transit of the Strait of Hormuz with the United Kingdom Royal Navy's HMS Defender, but, throughout her deployment, she will be dual-assigned. She is also supporting the Combined Maritime Forces, a 33-nation partnership which is targeting terrorism, piracy and drug smuggling in the Middle East region and also on the north-east coast of Africa. She is also supporting, as I have said, the International Maritime Security Construct, a broad international effort designed to protect freedom of navigation and support the safe passage of commercial shipping and maritime trade in the region. Australia joined the IMSC in mid-2019 following a series of security incidents against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Under the IMSC, HMAS Toowoomba is working with international partners to secure trade and energy flows throughout the Middle East region by ensuring the safe passage of commercial and civilian vessels. When operating in support of the IMSC, Toowoomba will co-ordinate with a complementary European-led maritime surveillance mission in the Strait of Hormuz.