Mr NATT - 2005-08-16
Darwin is currently hosting three US Naval vessels and their 4000 personnel for a week of shore leave. Can the minister please outline some of the benefits visits such as these bring to the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for his question. It is great to see the officers from the Expeditionary Strike Group in parliament today. One of the benefits of these types of visits to the Northern Territory - I suppose I can very clearly see; I am very lucky to have a view over the beautiful Darwin Harbour from my ministerial office. What an amazing and impressive sight it was yesterday when I looked out of the window and saw the USS Tarawa, the USS Cleveland and the USS Pearl Harbour when they sailed into Darwin Harbour and berthed at Fort Hill and the Iron Ore Wharves yesterday. The vessels are part of the US Navy’s Expeditionary Strike Group One, and certainly very impressive hardware. I would urge all members, if you have not seen those ships, take a look on the wharf, it certainly is a very impressive sight.
The USS Tarawa, nicknamed the Eagle of the Sea, is a multipurpose amphibious assault ship, and is the flagship of the Expeditionary Strike Group. She is supported by the amphibious loading docks, USS Cleveland and USS Pearl Harbour.
Again, on behalf of all members of this parliament and all Territorians, I welcome today Rear Admiral Michael LeFever, Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group One. I am also pleased to welcome Commodore Denny DuBard, Colonel James LaVine and Lieutenant Micaela Golding, and Miss Karen Olgel, Consul from the Consulate-General of the United States to the Territory parliament. I am always pleased to welcome Captain Peter Marshall, head of the Royal Australian Navy, to the Territory parliament.
This week’s visit is particularly poignant given, of course, it ties in with the Victory in the Pacific 60th anniversary commemorations. Australians and Americans, as we all know, fought side by side during World War II. In Darwin, we stood shoulder to shoulder with American forces to repel the Japanese attacks on Darwin.
On a side issue, I am also very pleased and very proud of my father, who was one of the few Australians who actually served with US forces in World War II in the Pacific. Poor old Dad is not here any more, but it is always great to meet with US personnel.
Every year, at the Cenotaph on the Esplanade, we commemorate 19 February 1942, when 91 men were killed when the USS Peary was sunk during a Japanese air raid on Darwin. Territorians will never forget the courage of the US Navy and those sailors who fought with Australians in Darwin to repel those Japanese attacks. I am sure that, in 200, 300, 400 years’ time we will still be commemorating that event in Darwin.
As well as a particularly poignant time in terms of our shared history with the United States, it is also great to have US Naval personnel in Darwin for R&R. In announcing the visit this week, the US Navy described, and I quote from the media release: ‘Darwin is one of the most welcoming ports in the Pacific’. It was great to read that comment because, in the time that I have been privileged to hold this portfolio, I have met with many captains of US Naval vessels when they have come to Darwin. For the officers and crew, the reputation of Darwin is of a great city for R&R, and people look forward to their recreation here. How Darwinians and Territorians respond to those visits is very welcome.
As well as being good for international relationships, more than $2m is expected to be injected into the economy over the week-long visit. Those 4000 personnel having some well-earned R&R in Darwin is something that all those small shopkeepers in the CBD, whatever their business, look forward to.
Once again, on behalf of all Territorians and the Northern Territory parliament, welcome to the Northern Territory. We look forward to many more visits from the US Navy over the years and hope that our reputation as one of the best ports in the Pacific stands for many years to come.
Members: Hear, Hear!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for his question. It is great to see the officers from the Expeditionary Strike Group in parliament today. One of the benefits of these types of visits to the Northern Territory - I suppose I can very clearly see; I am very lucky to have a view over the beautiful Darwin Harbour from my ministerial office. What an amazing and impressive sight it was yesterday when I looked out of the window and saw the USS Tarawa, the USS Cleveland and the USS Pearl Harbour when they sailed into Darwin Harbour and berthed at Fort Hill and the Iron Ore Wharves yesterday. The vessels are part of the US Navy’s Expeditionary Strike Group One, and certainly very impressive hardware. I would urge all members, if you have not seen those ships, take a look on the wharf, it certainly is a very impressive sight.
The USS Tarawa, nicknamed the Eagle of the Sea, is a multipurpose amphibious assault ship, and is the flagship of the Expeditionary Strike Group. She is supported by the amphibious loading docks, USS Cleveland and USS Pearl Harbour.
Again, on behalf of all members of this parliament and all Territorians, I welcome today Rear Admiral Michael LeFever, Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group One. I am also pleased to welcome Commodore Denny DuBard, Colonel James LaVine and Lieutenant Micaela Golding, and Miss Karen Olgel, Consul from the Consulate-General of the United States to the Territory parliament. I am always pleased to welcome Captain Peter Marshall, head of the Royal Australian Navy, to the Territory parliament.
This week’s visit is particularly poignant given, of course, it ties in with the Victory in the Pacific 60th anniversary commemorations. Australians and Americans, as we all know, fought side by side during World War II. In Darwin, we stood shoulder to shoulder with American forces to repel the Japanese attacks on Darwin.
On a side issue, I am also very pleased and very proud of my father, who was one of the few Australians who actually served with US forces in World War II in the Pacific. Poor old Dad is not here any more, but it is always great to meet with US personnel.
Every year, at the Cenotaph on the Esplanade, we commemorate 19 February 1942, when 91 men were killed when the USS Peary was sunk during a Japanese air raid on Darwin. Territorians will never forget the courage of the US Navy and those sailors who fought with Australians in Darwin to repel those Japanese attacks. I am sure that, in 200, 300, 400 years’ time we will still be commemorating that event in Darwin.
As well as a particularly poignant time in terms of our shared history with the United States, it is also great to have US Naval personnel in Darwin for R&R. In announcing the visit this week, the US Navy described, and I quote from the media release: ‘Darwin is one of the most welcoming ports in the Pacific’. It was great to read that comment because, in the time that I have been privileged to hold this portfolio, I have met with many captains of US Naval vessels when they have come to Darwin. For the officers and crew, the reputation of Darwin is of a great city for R&R, and people look forward to their recreation here. How Darwinians and Territorians respond to those visits is very welcome.
As well as being good for international relationships, more than $2m is expected to be injected into the economy over the week-long visit. Those 4000 personnel having some well-earned R&R in Darwin is something that all those small shopkeepers in the CBD, whatever their business, look forward to.
Once again, on behalf of all Territorians and the Northern Territory parliament, welcome to the Northern Territory. We look forward to many more visits from the US Navy over the years and hope that our reputation as one of the best ports in the Pacific stands for many years to come.
Members: Hear, Hear!
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016