Defence: Frigates

Senator Johnston asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 11 January 2010:

For the period 1 July to 30 September 2009:

1. Which frigates were fully operational with a full crew complement.
2. For each frigate that was non‑operational, what was the reason for its non‑operational status
3. What were the operational strengths on the frigates of the: (a) engineering officers and sailors; and (b) non-engineering officers and sailors.

Senator Faulkner - The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

1. HMA Ships Toowoomba and Stuart were fully operational with a full complement.
   
   HMA Ships Anzac, Arunta, Ballart, Parramatta and Warramunga were fully operational with managed manning gaps ¹ and conducting lower levels of operational readiness activities such as scheduled maintenance, trials activities, training exercises and assessments, and regional engagement activities.
   
   HMAS Ships Sydney, Darwin and Newcastle were at a lower level of operational readiness with managed crewing gaps conducting the Northern Trident deployment (Sydney),  and FFG Upgrade trials and training activities (Darwin, Newcastle).
2. HMAS Perth was non operational for the period as the ship was conducting pre-Anti Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) Upgrade preparations.
   HMAS Melbourne was non-operational for the majority of the period as it was under-going a scheduled deep-level maintenance.
3.  
   1. Average operational strength of engineering officers over the period was 95 per cent and operational strength of engineering sailors was 97 per cent. 
   2. Average operational strength of non-engineering officers was 97 per cent and operational strength of non-engineering sailors was 97 per cent.

In regard to both engineering and non-engineering officers on the HMAS Perth, it should be noted that crewing data has not been included as the Frigate was not operational during this period. HMAS Perth was crewed to the minimum number necessary to progress the ASMD upgrade preparations.

1. Managed Crewing Gaps. Navy’s current personnel shortages preclude 100% crewing of every ship at all times, and some tasks do not require all personnel onboard.  Individual ships’ crews are therefore actively managed to ensure ships are able to carry out their assigned tasks without overworking individuals.

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