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

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 5 March 2012:

For the period 1 July to 31 December 2011:

(a) how many fully qualified personnel are 'Dolphin Qualified' and permanently employed in the Royal Australian Navy to operate submarines; and

(b) how many 'Dolphin Qualified' personnel were tasked with other duties and what were these duties.

Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(a) As at 31 December 2011, there were a total of 569 submarine-qualified personnel, 501 of which were Collins submarine qualified. The remainder included Oberon-qualified personnel and others who, though qualified, had taken up different career paths in Navy; however, still have the capacity to serve in some submarine support roles.

(b) There were 48 Collins submarine qualified personnel employed in other duties, including administration, operations, maintenance, logistics and personnel management roles. A number of these personnel have withdrawn their volunteer status for service in Collins submarines. Others have reached ranks for which there are no positions in the Submarine Force (for example, Petty Officer Cooks and Stewards).