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

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

Who:               The President of the Commission, The Honourable Terence Cole AO, RFD, QC, will convene a public hearing of the Inquiry.  One witness, Mr Michael Montgomery author and son of the navigator of HMAS Sydney II at the time of the tragedy, will be called to give evidence based on his submission to the Inquiry.

When:                         10:00am – Friday, 28 November 2008

Where:            Level 5, 55 Market Street, Sydney

Background:

The Commission of Inquiry was appointed by the Chief of the 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. 

The Inquiry has held four public hearing days in Sydney with a further 14 additional hearing days held in other locations such as Germany and in the homes of people unable to travel.

Through this Inquiry we will have a better understanding of the battle between Sydney II and HSK Kormoran and what may have caused the Sydney II to sink with the tragic loss of all hands.

Media Notes: 

No television cameras will be granted access inside the hearing room. (Vision of the Inquiry was previously obtained via SBS pooling arrangement at the initial hearing held 30 May 08).

Transcripts are available on the Defence Inquiry’s website at: http://www.defence.gov.au/sydneyii/

Further hearings are presently planned for January 2009. The dates will be advertised on the Defence Sydney II website: http://www.defence.gov.au/sydneyii/

Media Contact:

Defence Public Affairs:                                                             (02) 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664