Media Room: Defence Alert

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF HMAS SYDNEY II – INITIAL HEARING

What:              Initial hearing of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the loss of HMAS Sydney II. 

Who:               The President of the Commission, The Hon. Terence Cole AO, RFD, QC, will convene the initial public hearing of the Inquiry. The President will make an opening statement. Administrative arrangements will be addressed as will any applications for leave to appear before the Inquiry.

When:             10am on Friday, 30 May 2008.

Where:            Hearing Room 1, Level 5, 55 Market Street, Sydney.

Background

The Commission was appointed by the Chief of Defence Force to inquire into and report upon circumstances associated with the loss of HMAS Sydney II in November 1941 and consequent loss of life and related subsequent events.

HMAS Sydney II was lost with all 645 crew on 19 November 1941 following an engagement with the German raider, HSK Kormoran off the Western Australian coast. 

HMAS Sydney II was found on 16 March 2008 following the discovery of HSK Kormoran, approximately 112 nautical miles off Steep Point, Western Australia, lying in 2,560 metres of water.

Media Notes: 

A pooling arrangement will be organised prior to the hearing for Mr Cole’s opening address.  No other television cameras will be granted access inside the hearing room. 

Pooling arrangements will be advised closer to the date by Public Affairs Regional Manager – NSW, Raveena Carroll-Kenney.  Media will be advised of final arrangements prior to the hearing.

Navy will provide still images via the Defence website at www.defence.gov.au/media/download.

Further information is available on the Inquiry’s website at www.defence.gov.au/sydneyii/

Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664