Senator the Hon David Johnston
Shadow Minister for Defence I Senator for Western Australia
Media Release
NO SUBS FOR TRAINEES HINDERS RECRUITMENT DRIVE
Australia’s submarine fleet is in danger of collapse if the Navy does not fast track its recruitment
reforms and reverse declining personnel numbers as an urgent priority.
Answers to questions on notice from Budget Estimates in June asked by Shadow Defence
Minister David Johnston reveal the shortfall in submarine personnel has more than doubled over
the previous four years.
An ANAO audit in 2008 showed a shortfall of 244 submariners to meet the current demand for a
full compliment of 667 officers and sailors. The shortfall was even greater when those who were
not deployed due to medical, compassionate or other reasons are included, bringing the shortfall
of submariners to a staggering 43 per cent below capacity.
Senator Johnston said exacerbating the crisis was the lack of seaworthy submarines which is
hampering efforts to train new submariners as they need at least six months of sea time to qualify
- and only HMAS Farncomb is currently operational.
“Each submarine can only take between around 10 trainees on board so there is only a trickle of
future submariners in the process at the moment of becoming qualified – not nearly enough to
reach recruitment goals.”
Senator Johnston said the Navy risked burning out the existing submarine workforce which could
lead to a further drop in numbers at a time when the White Paper identified submarines as one of
the priority capabilities of the future.
“To have our operational readiness so clearly diminished by barely being able to scrape together
enough crew for two out of the six submarines, when they finally get out of dry dock, is completely
unacceptable,” Senator Johnston said.
Sue Quinn
Media & Research
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