Media Room: Media Releases

HEARINGS OF THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF HMAS SYDNEY II COMMENCE

The first day of official hearings of the Commission of Inquiry into the loss of HMAS Sydney II have been held today in Sydney.

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. 

The Commission has been appointed to inquire into and report upon circumstances associated with the loss of HMAS Sydney II and consequent loss of life, and related subsequent events.

President of the Commission, The Hon. Terence Cole, AO, RFD, QC stated in his opening address that the objective of the Commission of Inquiry is to provide an independent and factual account of the events relating to the loss of HMAS Sydney II to the Chief of Defence Force, the relatives who have lost loved ones, and ultimately all Australians, in the hope it will help those affected to put the past behind them.

Mr Cole has also urged members of the public who have any information or wish to make submissions to the Inquiry to contact the Secretary of the HMAS Sydney II Commission of Inquiry at the address outlined below.

The Commission has now adjourned to undertake extensive research. Further public hearing days will be notified on the Commission of Inquiry website outlined below.

Contact details for the HMAS Sydney II Commission of Inquiry, and further information, can be obtained on the Inquiry’s website at www.defence.gov.au/sydneyii/

Still images of the hearing will be available later today on the Defence website at http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/

Media Contact:

Lieutenant Commander Vanessa Power            0424 162 998

Defence Media Liaison:                                    02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664