David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence, Senator Faulkner. Have the security upgrades announced last Friday been implemented at all Defence bases?

John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As Senator Johnston would be aware, it would be difficult, at this stage, to implement all the security upgrades at all Defence bases, because of the amount of work that would be required to achieve such an outcome. It is true that, following the government’s direction, Defence has conducted a review of security at all its bases and key locations. That followed, of course, the recent arrests of individuals allegedly planning an attack on the Holsworthy Army base. I can say to Senator Johnston and the Senate that the review that was conducted was a very rigorous review. It was conducted in a short time frame—a matter of weeks. It has made a series of recommendations to enhance security and respond to the changing nature of potential threats at bases and key locations.

I can also say to the Senate through you, Mr President, that the government has accepted the findings of the review. It has directed Defence to implement the enhanced security measures consistent with the review, and I can assure Senator Johnston that the enhancements are underway. (Time expired)

David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I thank the minister for his answer and I ask a supplementary question. Why then, Minister, after all of what you have said, was it apparently a simple and straightforward task for thieves to enter Edinburgh Air Force base yesterday morning, hot-wire and steal a truck loaded up with copper wire, and then, undetected, stroll out of the front gates of the base?

John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Of course I am aware that on Sunday night a breach of the perimeter of a construction compound that was adjacent to RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia occurred.

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is important. While the construction compound is dedicated to a defence project, it is external to the current RAAF Base Edinburgh perimeter. I can assure Senator Johnston, as I know he would want to be assured and as I have been assured, that the security integrity of RAAF Base Edinburgh was not compromised at any time during this incident. I also assure Senator Johnston— (Time expired)

David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Minister, I am instructed that the compound is adjacent to and connected to the Edinburgh Air Force base—

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

The Speaker:

Order! I need order on both sides. In fairness to you, Senator Johnston, interjections across the chamber are disorderly. It is impossible to hear Senator Johnston’s question. Start again, Senator Johnston; you are entitled to be heard.

David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am instructed that this compound is connected to the Air Force base and the contractor is carrying out vital work on the base. Why is it, six weeks after we have had one of the most violent terrorist allegations, against TAG/East, that people with criminal intent can stroll onto a base or into a compound connected to the base and steal a truckload of copper?

John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have heard what Senator Johnston has been advised and I have outlined to the Senate what I have been advised. As I have indicated, it is true that there was a breach of a construction compound that was adjacent to RAAF Base Edinburgh, as Senator Johnston has asked me about. It is true the construction compound is dedicated to a defence project. I have certainly been advised, Senator, that it is external to the current RAAF Base Edinburgh perimeter. I can assure you, Senator Johnston, that this matter is being investigated by the South Australia Police, but I have been assured that the security integrity of the base was not compromised— (Time expired)