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Minister
impressed by our professionalism
“Thankyou
for what you are doing for the ADF and the country.”...Senator
Robert Hill
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Minister
for Defence Senator Robert Hill presents the Australian
Active Service Medal with Clasp to CPO Phillip Saunders
for his part in the War Against Terrorism.
Photo by ABPH Yuri Ramsey.
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The
Minister for Defence, Senator Robert Hill has declared he is keen
to push along the RAN’s air-sea warfare ship project.
His remarks came during a frank talk to more than 100 officers,
sailors and civilians who attended a “clear lower deck”
at Maritime Headquarters in Sydney on Wednesday, November 6.
He told the gathering that the following Monday, November 11, he
would attend a briefing on the status of the project.
Senator Hill was welcomed to MHQ by the Maritime Commander, RADM
Raydon Gates who told of his October visit to the ships in The Gulf.
The Minister followed RADM Gates remarks saying that he had also
visited RAN ships in The Gulf twice and had been “most impressed
by their professionalism”.
“I was also impressed by the leadership of the Aussies,”
he said.
He said he had recently had discussions with US political leaders
Rumsfeld and Powell.
“It was good for me to be able to tell them how we are helping
them with leading.”
(CAPT Peter Sinclair is the task group commander in The Gulf).
Senator Hill said Coalition allies appreciated the professionalism
and friendship of Australian personnel in The Gulf.
He suggested however that temperatures of 50 degrees often put the
Australian’s good humour to the test.
“I have been in the job a little under a year and there’s
a lot happening,” Senator Hill said.
He said he had recently had his first day in a submarine off Perth.
He said he had seen many briefing papers on our Collins Class submarines
but to “actually go and see for myself was quite different.”
He was able to learn about the combat system to which the government
has committed funds and said it was hoped a commitment would soon
be made for a new torpedo.
Of the Collins submarines, “it was a bad case of public relations.”
He sheeted some blame home to politicians, saying “we tend
to understate and undersell ourselves”.
He told of remarks by US personnel who described the Collins as
“fantastic boats.”
“I’m doing my bit to talk up the submarines,” Senator
Hill said.
The Minister also heaped praise on the RAN’s LPA’s Manoora
and Kanimbla.
“They are doing a terrific job and are extremely well suited.”
He said the LPAs were doing tasks which other navies’ ships
cannot do.
The Minister said the Anzacs are to get more weapons and that on
Monday November 11 he would attend a briefing on the planned air-sea
warfare ships.
“I am keen to push this project along,” Senator Hill said.
The Minister said RAN personnel and their equipment had been under
pressure for an “extended time.” He said he recognised
the need for people to rest and for their ships and equipment to
be overhauled.
“It is the busiest tempo since WW2,” he pointed out.
“Thankyou for what you are doing for the ADF and the country.
Australians regard Defence in the highest order. All the best for
the future.”
The Minister then went on to present a number of medals to RAN personnel.
The Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp went to CPO Phillip
Saunders for his part in the War Against Terrorism while serving
in the Logistics Support Element in Bahrain.
The AASM went to PO Robert Brown for his work while serving in HMAS
Anzac while LS Brian Craig received his ASSM for his role in the
LSE in Bahrain.
LS Anthony Winning received a Clasp to his AASM for work he did
in the Solomon Islands as part of Op Trek while serving in HMAS
Darwin.
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