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:           AAT Building, 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.

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:

Journalists are welcome into the hearing room to hear Mr Cole’s opening address.

There will be an opportunity for one TV camera to record Mr Cole’s opening address on a pool basis.  No other television cameras will be granted access inside the hearing room. Contact Raveena Carroll-Kenney for details on the pooling arrangements. 

An Audio Split will be provided for radio journalists to record the opening address.

Navy will provide still images via the Defence website at www.defence.gov.au/download.  No other photographers will be granted access inside the hearing room. 

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

Media Contacts:

Lieutenant Commander Vanessa Power          0424 162 998

Raveena Carroll-Kenney                                 0405 310 176

Defence Media Liaison                                   02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664