Mr Moore is welcomed on board HMAS WESTRALIA by CO, CMDR Dietrich

The Minister for Defence, Mr John Moore, has visited HMAS WESTRALIA (CMDR E.S Dietrich).

Accompanied by the Chief of Navy, Vice-Admiral D.B Chalmers and Commodore Fleet Bases, Commodore G.P Kable, the Minister used the time to acquaint himself with WESTRALIA and the current issues facing the ship.

Special attention was paid to gaining an appreciation of the events that unfolded on May 5, 1998, with the Minister taking time to visit the engine room and talk to those who were on board at the time.

The Minister was also particularly keen to talk with the ship's company to gain an overall insight into the events that unfolded in May and to gauge the current state of materiel and personnel issues on board.