Senate debates

Tuesday, 11 February 2020

Questions without Notice

Middle East

3:02 pm

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

Again I thank the senator for his question. While supporting the Combined Maritime Forces, HMAS Toowoomba will assist with the interdiction of illegal activities that fund terrorism. This includes the movement of personnel, weapons or income-generating narcotics, and also charcoal. Since 2014 the Royal Australian Navy has seized in excess of 9.6 tonnes of heroin, 58 tonnes of hashish, 15 kilograms of methamphetamines and 35 kilos of amphetamines, with an estimated combined street value in excess of $6.2 billion, as well as approximately 2,200 illegal weapons, nearly 500,000 rounds of ammunition and more than 12 tonnes of precursor chemicals required to manufacture explosives. Through these efforts Australia has helped deny terrorist organisations crucial weapons and also revenue.

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