Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to 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.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McLachlan, a supplementary question?

Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to 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.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McLachlan, a final supplementary question?

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

Maintaining vital trade and energy flows through key choke points like the Strait of Hormuz is crucial to the global trading system, the international economy and also Australia's prosperity. Around 40 per cent of the fuel used in Australia transits through the Strait of Hormuz and is either refined here or overseas. The International Maritime Security Construct seeks to provide freedom of navigation through these shipping lanes, which reach directly into the Indo-Pacific region and well beyond. Under the IMSC, HMAS Toowoomba will work with international partners to monitor and deter destabilising activities which could disrupt trade and also vital energy flows. She will also support the safe passage of commercial and civilian shipping in the region.