Senate Notice Paper Question No 782
Schedule Number: 300060
Publication Date: 3 February 2009
Hansard: Pages 170-1

Leopard Tanks

Senator: Johnston

Senator Johnston asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 11 November 2008:

With reference to

  1. How many Leopard tanks: (a) does the Australian Defence Force have; (b) have been offered as part of the decommissioning process; and (c) has the department retained for target practice.
  2. With reference to the decommissioning of the Australian Army’s Leopard tanks in which the Government has offered the tanks free of charge with attached conditions: has the Minister been notified of which applicants have and have not been successful.
  3. Can a list of successful and unsuccessful applications be provided.
  4. What was the process in determining the successful bids.
  5. Has the Minister sought permission under the end-user agreement with Germany to dispose of the tanks; if so, can a copy of the documentation from the Leopard tank manufacturer and the German Government be provided.

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

    1. 103.
    2. 30.
    3. 26.
  1. Yes.
  2. A list of 28 of the 30 successful organisations is provided below (two organisations have declined the offer).  Defence has received over 350 inquiries and requests relating to the disposal of the Leopard tank fleet.  The list of unsuccessful organisations will not be provided. 
    Organisation State
    Ayr Anzac Memorial Club QLD
    Beenleigh RSL QLD
    Bendigo RSL VIC
    Bribie Island RSL QLD
    Bunbury RSL WA
    Canberra Services Club ACT
    Collie Cardiff RSL WA
    Echuca and Moama RSL NSW
    Echunga RSL SA
    Epping RSL VIC
    Esperance RSL and Esperance Museum WA
    Forster-Tuncurry RSL NSW
    Ingleburn RSL NSW
    Jerilderie RSL NSW
    Kilcoy RSL QLD
    Maitland RSL NSW
    Maroochydore RSL QLD
    McLaren Vale RSL SA
    Mount Gambier Community RSL SA
    City of Palmerston RSL NT
    Port Kennedy RSL WA
    Port Augusta RSL SA
    Rutherglen RSL VIC
    Seymour RSL VIC
    Tambar Springs - Premer RSL NSW
    Upwey – Belgrave RSL VIC
    Woodford RSL QLD
    Yarrawonga-Mulwala RSL VIC
  3. Prior to the 2007 election, the previous Minister selected the organisations to receive a Leopard tank.  I have endorsed the selections made by the previous Government. 
  4. Defence is currently processing the necessary approvals with the German Government for the disposal of the Leopard fleet.

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