❓ The WA government provided $500,000 to the search for the HMAS Sydney and is open to further support for commemorations. The Premier also agreed to advocate for the Geraldton memorial to be included under national memorials legislation.
AnsweredQoN 76Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
HMAS SYDNEY
Can the Premier please advise the house what support was offered by the state government to locate the HMAS Sydney , the pride of the Australian Navy? An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER
Can the Premier please advise the house what support was offered by the state government to locate the HMAS Sydney , the pride of the Australian Navy? An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Geraldton for the question. I am amazed that even on a subject such as this that we get interjections and criticism from the opposition. Really, there is no bottom to the depths to which members opposite have sunk; they just keep falling lower and lower and lower. The member for Geraldton would be particularly pleased, as the member representing the City of Geraldton, about the outcome of the search for the HMAS Sydney . It is quite amazing, after 66 years of mystery about what happened to that vessel, that in such an apparently short space of time the Kormoran and the Sydney could be found. I pay tribute especially to Commodore Bob Trotter, retired, who, as part of the HMAS Sydney project, approached the Western Australian government on this matter in 2005 through the member for Rockingham—a former naval lawyer himself—and inquired about the possibility of the state government of Western Australia providing some support to his project team, which wanted to try to find the Sydney . As a result of that approach from Commodore Bob Trotter, via the member for Rockingham through the then Premier, Geoff Gallop, the state decided that it would contribute $500 000 to the search fund. It was of great pleasure to us that the state government of New South Wales contributed $250 000 and then the commonwealth came in and I think very, very generously provided the rest—I think it provided something like another $3 million to $4 million, which was an outstanding level of support. I am very pleased that the federal government minister, Peter Garrett, has moved to legally protect the historic wrecks of HMAS Sydney and the German raider Kormoran from interference—I hesitate to use the word “pillaging”—and I think that is entirely appropriate. I understand that both sites will be listed under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 to ensure that they are not damaged or disturbed. We must bear in mind that this is a war grave; 645 young Australian servicemen were lost at sea after the clash with the Kormoran . It is obviously an issue that still touches very deeply the surviving family members of those 645 servicemen, the people who knew them and the nation generally. I anticipate, and I think the member for Geraldton and perhaps you, Mr Speaker, because of the memorial in Carnarvon, would expect, a significant Anzac Day ceremony this year in those two locations relating to the story of the HMAS Sydney . I have made it clear that if the state government is approached, it will provide assistance to ensure that there is a special commemoration of the HMAS Sydney . The memorial in Geraldton is absolutely magnificent. I do not think anyone who sees it goes away thinking anything other than that it is a magnificent memorial. If the federal government or the Royal Australian Navy makes a decision, and the state government supports it, to have a special commemoration day on 19 November, which marks the day that the vessels were sunk and the Australian lives were lost, we would be only too happy to contribute to the establishment of a special memorial service. The member for Geraldton has also suggested that we write to the federal government asking that at least the Geraldton memorial, which is somewhat different in nature from the Carnarvon memorial, be included under the national memorials act so that it comes under the protective umbrella of federal legislation. I think that is a very good idea of the member for Geraldton, and I will pursue that on his behalf for the state government.
An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Geraldton for the question. I am amazed that even on a subject such as this that we get interjections and criticism from the opposition. Really, there is no bottom to the depths to which members opposite have sunk; they just keep falling lower and lower and lower. The member for Geraldton would be particularly pleased, as the member representing the City of Geraldton, about the outcome of the search for the HMAS Sydney . It is quite amazing, after 66 years of mystery about what happened to that vessel, that in such an apparently short space of time the Kormoran and the Sydney could be found. I pay tribute especially to Commodore Bob Trotter, retired, who, as part of the HMAS Sydney project, approached the Western Australian government on this matter in 2005 through the member for Rockingham—a former naval lawyer himself—and inquired about the possibility of the state government of Western Australia providing some support to his project team, which wanted to try to find the Sydney . As a result of that approach from Commodore Bob Trotter, via the member for Rockingham through the then Premier, Geoff Gallop, the state decided that it would contribute $500 000 to the search fund. It was of great pleasure to us that the state government of New South Wales contributed $250 000 and then the commonwealth came in and I think very, very generously provided the rest—I think it provided something like another $3 million to $4 million, which was an outstanding level of support. I am very pleased that the federal government minister, Peter Garrett, has moved to legally protect the historic wrecks of HMAS Sydney and the German raider Kormoran from interference—I hesitate to use the word “pillaging”—and I think that is entirely appropriate. I understand that both sites will be listed under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 to ensure that they are not damaged or disturbed. We must bear in mind that this is a war grave; 645 young Australian servicemen were lost at sea after the clash with the Kormoran . It is obviously an issue that still touches very deeply the surviving family members of those 645 servicemen, the people who knew them and the nation generally. I anticipate, and I think the member for Geraldton and perhaps you, Mr Speaker, because of the memorial in Carnarvon, would expect, a significant Anzac Day ceremony this year in those two locations relating to the story of the HMAS Sydney . I have made it clear that if the state government is approached, it will provide assistance to ensure that there is a special commemoration of the HMAS Sydney . The memorial in Geraldton is absolutely magnificent. I do not think anyone who sees it goes away thinking anything other than that it is a magnificent memorial. If the federal government or the Royal Australian Navy makes a decision, and the state government supports it, to have a special commemoration day on 19 November, which marks the day that the vessels were sunk and the Australian lives were lost, we would be only too happy to contribute to the establishment of a special memorial service. The member for Geraldton has also suggested that we write to the federal government asking that at least the Geraldton memorial, which is somewhat different in nature from the Carnarvon memorial, be included under the national memorials act so that it comes under the protective umbrella of federal legislation. I think that is a very good idea of the member for Geraldton, and I will pursue that on his behalf for the state government.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Geraldton for the question. I am amazed that even on a subject such as this that we get interjections and criticism from the opposition. Really, there is no bottom to the depths to which members opposite have sunk; they just keep falling lower and lower and lower. The member for Geraldton would be particularly pleased, as the member representing the City of Geraldton, about the outcome of the search for the HMAS Sydney . It is quite amazing, after 66 years of mystery about what happened to that vessel, that in such an apparently short space of time the Kormoran and the Sydney could be found. I pay tribute especially to Commodore Bob Trotter, retired, who, as part of the HMAS Sydney project, approached the Western Australian government on this matter in 2005 through the member for Rockingham—a former naval lawyer himself—and inquired about the possibility of the state government of Western Australia providing some support to his project team, which wanted to try to find the Sydney . As a result of that approach from Commodore Bob Trotter, via the member for Rockingham through the then Premier, Geoff Gallop, the state decided that it would contribute $500 000 to the search fund. It was of great pleasure to us that the state government of New South Wales contributed $250 000 and then the commonwealth came in and I think very, very generously provided the rest—I think it provided something like another $3 million to $4 million, which was an outstanding level of support. I am very pleased that the federal government minister, Peter Garrett, has moved to legally protect the historic wrecks of HMAS Sydney and the German raider Kormoran from interference—I hesitate to use the word “pillaging”—and I think that is entirely appropriate. I understand that both sites will be listed under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 to ensure that they are not damaged or disturbed. We must bear in mind that this is a war grave; 645 young Australian servicemen were lost at sea after the clash with the Kormoran . It is obviously an issue that still touches very deeply the surviving family members of those 645 servicemen, the people who knew them and the nation generally. I anticipate, and I think the member for Geraldton and perhaps you, Mr Speaker, because of the memorial in Carnarvon, would expect, a significant Anzac Day ceremony this year in those two locations relating to the story of the HMAS Sydney . I have made it clear that if the state government is approached, it will provide assistance to ensure that there is a special commemoration of the HMAS Sydney . The memorial in Geraldton is absolutely magnificent. I do not think anyone who sees it goes away thinking anything other than that it is a magnificent memorial. If the federal government or the Royal Australian Navy makes a decision, and the state government supports it, to have a special commemoration day on 19 November, which marks the day that the vessels were sunk and the Australian lives were lost, we would be only too happy to contribute to the establishment of a special memorial service. The member for Geraldton has also suggested that we write to the federal government asking that at least the Geraldton memorial, which is somewhat different in nature from the Carnarvon memorial, be included under the national memorials act so that it comes under the protective umbrella of federal legislation. I think that is a very good idea of the member for Geraldton, and I will pursue that on his behalf for the state government.
I thank the member for Geraldton for the question. I am amazed that even on a subject such as this that we get interjections and criticism from the opposition. Really, there is no bottom to the depths to which members opposite have sunk; they just keep falling lower and lower and lower. The member for Geraldton would be particularly pleased, as the member representing the City of Geraldton, about the outcome of the search for the HMAS Sydney . It is quite amazing, after 66 years of mystery about what happened to that vessel, that in such an apparently short space of time the Kormoran and the Sydney could be found. I pay tribute especially to Commodore Bob Trotter, retired, who, as part of the HMAS Sydney project, approached the Western Australian government on this matter in 2005 through the member for Rockingham—a former naval lawyer himself—and inquired about the possibility of the state government of Western Australia providing some support to his project team, which wanted to try to find the Sydney . As a result of that approach from Commodore Bob Trotter, via the member for Rockingham through the then Premier, Geoff Gallop, the state decided that it would contribute $500 000 to the search fund. It was of great pleasure to us that the state government of New South Wales contributed $250 000 and then the commonwealth came in and I think very, very generously provided the rest—I think it provided something like another $3 million to $4 million, which was an outstanding level of support. I am very pleased that the federal government minister, Peter Garrett, has moved to legally protect the historic wrecks of HMAS Sydney and the German raider Kormoran from interference—I hesitate to use the word “pillaging”—and I think that is entirely appropriate. I understand that both sites will be listed under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 to ensure that they are not damaged or disturbed. We must bear in mind that this is a war grave; 645 young Australian servicemen were lost at sea after the clash with the Kormoran . It is obviously an issue that still touches very deeply the surviving family members of those 645 servicemen, the people who knew them and the nation generally. I anticipate, and I think the member for Geraldton and perhaps you, Mr Speaker, because of the memorial in Carnarvon, would expect, a significant Anzac Day ceremony this year in those two locations relating to the story of the HMAS Sydney . I have made it clear that if the state government is approached, it will provide assistance to ensure that there is a special commemoration of the HMAS Sydney . The memorial in Geraldton is absolutely magnificent. I do not think anyone who sees it goes away thinking anything other than that it is a magnificent memorial. If the federal government or the Royal Australian Navy makes a decision, and the state government supports it, to have a special commemoration day on 19 November, which marks the day that the vessels were sunk and the Australian lives were lost, we would be only too happy to contribute to the establishment of a special memorial service. The member for Geraldton has also suggested that we write to the federal government asking that at least the Geraldton memorial, which is somewhat different in nature from the Carnarvon memorial, be included under the national memorials act so that it comes under the protective umbrella of federal legislation. I think that is a very good idea of the member for Geraldton, and I will pursue that on his behalf for the state government.
The member for Geraldton would be particularly pleased, as the member representing the City of Geraldton, about the outcome of the search for the HMAS Sydney . It is quite amazing, after 66 years of mystery about what happened to that vessel, that in such an apparently short space of time the Kormoran and the Sydney could be found. I pay tribute especially to Commodore Bob Trotter, retired, who, as part of the HMAS Sydney project, approached the Western Australian government on this matter in 2005 through the member for Rockingham—a former naval lawyer himself—and inquired about the possibility of the state government of Western Australia providing some support to his project team, which wanted to try to find the Sydney . As a result of that approach from Commodore Bob Trotter, via the member for Rockingham through the then Premier, Geoff Gallop, the state decided that it would contribute $500 000 to the search fund. It was of great pleasure to us that the state government of New South Wales contributed $250 000 and then the commonwealth came in and I think very, very generously provided the rest—I think it provided something like another $3 million to $4 million, which was an outstanding level of support. I am very pleased that the federal government minister, Peter Garrett, has moved to legally protect the historic wrecks of HMAS Sydney and the German raider Kormoran from interference—I hesitate to use the word “pillaging”—and I think that is entirely appropriate. I understand that both sites will be listed under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 to ensure that they are not damaged or disturbed. We must bear in mind that this is a war grave; 645 young Australian servicemen were lost at sea after the clash with the Kormoran . It is obviously an issue that still touches very deeply the surviving family members of those 645 servicemen, the people who knew them and the nation generally. I anticipate, and I think the member for Geraldton and perhaps you, Mr Speaker, because of the memorial in Carnarvon, would expect, a significant Anzac Day ceremony this year in those two locations relating to the story of the HMAS Sydney . I have made it clear that if the state government is approached, it will provide assistance to ensure that there is a special commemoration of the HMAS Sydney . The memorial in Geraldton is absolutely magnificent. I do not think anyone who sees it goes away thinking anything other than that it is a magnificent memorial. If the federal government or the Royal Australian Navy makes a decision, and the state government supports it, to have a special commemoration day on 19 November, which marks the day that the vessels were sunk and the Australian lives were lost, we would be only too happy to contribute to the establishment of a special memorial service. The member for Geraldton has also suggested that we write to the federal government asking that at least the Geraldton memorial, which is somewhat different in nature from the Carnarvon memorial, be included under the national memorials act so that it comes under the protective umbrella of federal legislation. I think that is a very good idea of the member for Geraldton, and I will pursue that on his behalf for the state government.
I am very pleased that the federal government minister, Peter Garrett, has moved to legally protect the historic wrecks of HMAS Sydney and the German raider Kormoran from interference—I hesitate to use the word “pillaging”—and I think that is entirely appropriate. I understand that both sites will be listed under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 to ensure that they are not damaged or disturbed. We must bear in mind that this is a war grave; 645 young Australian servicemen were lost at sea after the clash with the Kormoran . It is obviously an issue that still touches very deeply the surviving family members of those 645 servicemen, the people who knew them and the nation generally. I anticipate, and I think the member for Geraldton and perhaps you, Mr Speaker, because of the memorial in Carnarvon, would expect, a significant Anzac Day ceremony this year in those two locations relating to the story of the HMAS Sydney . I have made it clear that if the state government is approached, it will provide assistance to ensure that there is a special commemoration of the HMAS Sydney . The memorial in Geraldton is absolutely magnificent. I do not think anyone who sees it goes away thinking anything other than that it is a magnificent memorial. If the federal government or the Royal Australian Navy makes a decision, and the state government supports it, to have a special commemoration day on 19 November, which marks the day that the vessels were sunk and the Australian lives were lost, we would be only too happy to contribute to the establishment of a special memorial service. The member for Geraldton has also suggested that we write to the federal government asking that at least the Geraldton memorial, which is somewhat different in nature from the Carnarvon memorial, be included under the national memorials act so that it comes under the protective umbrella of federal legislation. I think that is a very good idea of the member for Geraldton, and I will pursue that on his behalf for the state government.
I anticipate, and I think the member for Geraldton and perhaps you, Mr Speaker, because of the memorial in Carnarvon, would expect, a significant Anzac Day ceremony this year in those two locations relating to the story of the HMAS Sydney . I have made it clear that if the state government is approached, it will provide assistance to ensure that there is a special commemoration of the HMAS Sydney . The memorial in Geraldton is absolutely magnificent. I do not think anyone who sees it goes away thinking anything other than that it is a magnificent memorial. If the federal government or the Royal Australian Navy makes a decision, and the state government supports it, to have a special commemoration day on 19 November, which marks the day that the vessels were sunk and the Australian lives were lost, we would be only too happy to contribute to the establishment of a special memorial service. The member for Geraldton has also suggested that we write to the federal government asking that at least the Geraldton memorial, which is somewhat different in nature from the Carnarvon memorial, be included under the national memorials act so that it comes under the protective umbrella of federal legislation. I think that is a very good idea of the member for Geraldton, and I will pursue that on his behalf for the state government.
An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Geraldton for the question. I am amazed that even on a subject such as this that we get interjections and criticism from the opposition. Really, there is no bottom to the depths to which members opposite have sunk; they just keep falling lower and lower and lower. The member for Geraldton would be particularly pleased, as the member representing the City of Geraldton, about the outcome of the search for the HMAS Sydney . It is quite amazing, after 66 years of mystery about what happened to that vessel, that in such an apparently short space of time the Kormoran and the Sydney could be found. I pay tribute especially to Commodore Bob Trotter, retired, who, as part of the HMAS Sydney project, approached the Western Australian government on this matter in 2005 through the member for Rockingham—a former naval lawyer himself—and inquired about the possibility of the state government of Western Australia providing some support to his project team, which wanted to try to find the Sydney . As a result of that approach from Commodore Bob Trotter, via the member for Rockingham through the then Premier, Geoff Gallop, the state decided that it would contribute $500 000 to the search fund. It was of great pleasure to us that the state government of New South Wales contributed $250 000 and then the commonwealth came in and I think very, very generously provided the rest—I think it provided something like another $3 million to $4 million, which was an outstanding level of support. I am very pleased that the federal government minister, Peter Garrett, has moved to legally protect the historic wrecks of HMAS Sydney and the German raider Kormoran from interference—I hesitate to use the word “pillaging”—and I think that is entirely appropriate. I understand that both sites will be listed under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 to ensure that they are not damaged or disturbed. We must bear in mind that this is a war grave; 645 young Australian servicemen were lost at sea after the clash with the Kormoran . It is obviously an issue that still touches very deeply the surviving family members of those 645 servicemen, the people who knew them and the nation generally. I anticipate, and I think the member for Geraldton and perhaps you, Mr Speaker, because of the memorial in Carnarvon, would expect, a significant Anzac Day ceremony this year in those two locations relating to the story of the HMAS Sydney . I have made it clear that if the state government is approached, it will provide assistance to ensure that there is a special commemoration of the HMAS Sydney . The memorial in Geraldton is absolutely magnificent. I do not think anyone who sees it goes away thinking anything other than that it is a magnificent memorial. If the federal government or the Royal Australian Navy makes a decision, and the state government supports it, to have a special commemoration day on 19 November, which marks the day that the vessels were sunk and the Australian lives were lost, we would be only too happy to contribute to the establishment of a special memorial service. The member for Geraldton has also suggested that we write to the federal government asking that at least the Geraldton memorial, which is somewhat different in nature from the Carnarvon memorial, be included under the national memorials act so that it comes under the protective umbrella of federal legislation. I think that is a very good idea of the member for Geraldton, and I will pursue that on his behalf for the state government.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Geraldton for the question. I am amazed that even on a subject such as this that we get interjections and criticism from the opposition. Really, there is no bottom to the depths to which members opposite have sunk; they just keep falling lower and lower and lower. The member for Geraldton would be particularly pleased, as the member representing the City of Geraldton, about the outcome of the search for the HMAS Sydney . It is quite amazing, after 66 years of mystery about what happened to that vessel, that in such an apparently short space of time the Kormoran and the Sydney could be found. I pay tribute especially to Commodore Bob Trotter, retired, who, as part of the HMAS Sydney project, approached the Western Australian government on this matter in 2005 through the member for Rockingham—a former naval lawyer himself—and inquired about the possibility of the state government of Western Australia providing some support to his project team, which wanted to try to find the Sydney . As a result of that approach from Commodore Bob Trotter, via the member for Rockingham through the then Premier, Geoff Gallop, the state decided that it would contribute $500 000 to the search fund. It was of great pleasure to us that the state government of New South Wales contributed $250 000 and then the commonwealth came in and I think very, very generously provided the rest—I think it provided something like another $3 million to $4 million, which was an outstanding level of support. I am very pleased that the federal government minister, Peter Garrett, has moved to legally protect the historic wrecks of HMAS Sydney and the German raider Kormoran from interference—I hesitate to use the word “pillaging”—and I think that is entirely appropriate. I understand that both sites will be listed under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 to ensure that they are not damaged or disturbed. We must bear in mind that this is a war grave; 645 young Australian servicemen were lost at sea after the clash with the Kormoran . It is obviously an issue that still touches very deeply the surviving family members of those 645 servicemen, the people who knew them and the nation generally. I anticipate, and I think the member for Geraldton and perhaps you, Mr Speaker, because of the memorial in Carnarvon, would expect, a significant Anzac Day ceremony this year in those two locations relating to the story of the HMAS Sydney . I have made it clear that if the state government is approached, it will provide assistance to ensure that there is a special commemoration of the HMAS Sydney . The memorial in Geraldton is absolutely magnificent. I do not think anyone who sees it goes away thinking anything other than that it is a magnificent memorial. If the federal government or the Royal Australian Navy makes a decision, and the state government supports it, to have a special commemoration day on 19 November, which marks the day that the vessels were sunk and the Australian lives were lost, we would be only too happy to contribute to the establishment of a special memorial service. The member for Geraldton has also suggested that we write to the federal government asking that at least the Geraldton memorial, which is somewhat different in nature from the Carnarvon memorial, be included under the national memorials act so that it comes under the protective umbrella of federal legislation. I think that is a very good idea of the member for Geraldton, and I will pursue that on his behalf for the state government.
I thank the member for Geraldton for the question. I am amazed that even on a subject such as this that we get interjections and criticism from the opposition. Really, there is no bottom to the depths to which members opposite have sunk; they just keep falling lower and lower and lower. The member for Geraldton would be particularly pleased, as the member representing the City of Geraldton, about the outcome of the search for the HMAS Sydney . It is quite amazing, after 66 years of mystery about what happened to that vessel, that in such an apparently short space of time the Kormoran and the Sydney could be found. I pay tribute especially to Commodore Bob Trotter, retired, who, as part of the HMAS Sydney project, approached the Western Australian government on this matter in 2005 through the member for Rockingham—a former naval lawyer himself—and inquired about the possibility of the state government of Western Australia providing some support to his project team, which wanted to try to find the Sydney . As a result of that approach from Commodore Bob Trotter, via the member for Rockingham through the then Premier, Geoff Gallop, the state decided that it would contribute $500 000 to the search fund. It was of great pleasure to us that the state government of New South Wales contributed $250 000 and then the commonwealth came in and I think very, very generously provided the rest—I think it provided something like another $3 million to $4 million, which was an outstanding level of support. I am very pleased that the federal government minister, Peter Garrett, has moved to legally protect the historic wrecks of HMAS Sydney and the German raider Kormoran from interference—I hesitate to use the word “pillaging”—and I think that is entirely appropriate. I understand that both sites will be listed under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 to ensure that they are not damaged or disturbed. We must bear in mind that this is a war grave; 645 young Australian servicemen were lost at sea after the clash with the Kormoran . It is obviously an issue that still touches very deeply the surviving family members of those 645 servicemen, the people who knew them and the nation generally. I anticipate, and I think the member for Geraldton and perhaps you, Mr Speaker, because of the memorial in Carnarvon, would expect, a significant Anzac Day ceremony this year in those two locations relating to the story of the HMAS Sydney . I have made it clear that if the state government is approached, it will provide assistance to ensure that there is a special commemoration of the HMAS Sydney . The memorial in Geraldton is absolutely magnificent. I do not think anyone who sees it goes away thinking anything other than that it is a magnificent memorial. If the federal government or the Royal Australian Navy makes a decision, and the state government supports it, to have a special commemoration day on 19 November, which marks the day that the vessels were sunk and the Australian lives were lost, we would be only too happy to contribute to the establishment of a special memorial service. The member for Geraldton has also suggested that we write to the federal government asking that at least the Geraldton memorial, which is somewhat different in nature from the Carnarvon memorial, be included under the national memorials act so that it comes under the protective umbrella of federal legislation. I think that is a very good idea of the member for Geraldton, and I will pursue that on his behalf for the state government.
The member for Geraldton would be particularly pleased, as the member representing the City of Geraldton, about the outcome of the search for the HMAS Sydney . It is quite amazing, after 66 years of mystery about what happened to that vessel, that in such an apparently short space of time the Kormoran and the Sydney could be found. I pay tribute especially to Commodore Bob Trotter, retired, who, as part of the HMAS Sydney project, approached the Western Australian government on this matter in 2005 through the member for Rockingham—a former naval lawyer himself—and inquired about the possibility of the state government of Western Australia providing some support to his project team, which wanted to try to find the Sydney . As a result of that approach from Commodore Bob Trotter, via the member for Rockingham through the then Premier, Geoff Gallop, the state decided that it would contribute $500 000 to the search fund. It was of great pleasure to us that the state government of New South Wales contributed $250 000 and then the commonwealth came in and I think very, very generously provided the rest—I think it provided something like another $3 million to $4 million, which was an outstanding level of support. I am very pleased that the federal government minister, Peter Garrett, has moved to legally protect the historic wrecks of HMAS Sydney and the German raider Kormoran from interference—I hesitate to use the word “pillaging”—and I think that is entirely appropriate. I understand that both sites will be listed under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 to ensure that they are not damaged or disturbed. We must bear in mind that this is a war grave; 645 young Australian servicemen were lost at sea after the clash with the Kormoran . It is obviously an issue that still touches very deeply the surviving family members of those 645 servicemen, the people who knew them and the nation generally. I anticipate, and I think the member for Geraldton and perhaps you, Mr Speaker, because of the memorial in Carnarvon, would expect, a significant Anzac Day ceremony this year in those two locations relating to the story of the HMAS Sydney . I have made it clear that if the state government is approached, it will provide assistance to ensure that there is a special commemoration of the HMAS Sydney . The memorial in Geraldton is absolutely magnificent. I do not think anyone who sees it goes away thinking anything other than that it is a magnificent memorial. If the federal government or the Royal Australian Navy makes a decision, and the state government supports it, to have a special commemoration day on 19 November, which marks the day that the vessels were sunk and the Australian lives were lost, we would be only too happy to contribute to the establishment of a special memorial service. The member for Geraldton has also suggested that we write to the federal government asking that at least the Geraldton memorial, which is somewhat different in nature from the Carnarvon memorial, be included under the national memorials act so that it comes under the protective umbrella of federal legislation. I think that is a very good idea of the member for Geraldton, and I will pursue that on his behalf for the state government.
I am very pleased that the federal government minister, Peter Garrett, has moved to legally protect the historic wrecks of HMAS Sydney and the German raider Kormoran from interference—I hesitate to use the word “pillaging”—and I think that is entirely appropriate. I understand that both sites will be listed under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 to ensure that they are not damaged or disturbed. We must bear in mind that this is a war grave; 645 young Australian servicemen were lost at sea after the clash with the Kormoran . It is obviously an issue that still touches very deeply the surviving family members of those 645 servicemen, the people who knew them and the nation generally. I anticipate, and I think the member for Geraldton and perhaps you, Mr Speaker, because of the memorial in Carnarvon, would expect, a significant Anzac Day ceremony this year in those two locations relating to the story of the HMAS Sydney . I have made it clear that if the state government is approached, it will provide assistance to ensure that there is a special commemoration of the HMAS Sydney . The memorial in Geraldton is absolutely magnificent. I do not think anyone who sees it goes away thinking anything other than that it is a magnificent memorial. If the federal government or the Royal Australian Navy makes a decision, and the state government supports it, to have a special commemoration day on 19 November, which marks the day that the vessels were sunk and the Australian lives were lost, we would be only too happy to contribute to the establishment of a special memorial service. The member for Geraldton has also suggested that we write to the federal government asking that at least the Geraldton memorial, which is somewhat different in nature from the Carnarvon memorial, be included under the national memorials act so that it comes under the protective umbrella of federal legislation. I think that is a very good idea of the member for Geraldton, and I will pursue that on his behalf for the state government.
I anticipate, and I think the member for Geraldton and perhaps you, Mr Speaker, because of the memorial in Carnarvon, would expect, a significant Anzac Day ceremony this year in those two locations relating to the story of the HMAS Sydney . I have made it clear that if the state government is approached, it will provide assistance to ensure that there is a special commemoration of the HMAS Sydney . The memorial in Geraldton is absolutely magnificent. I do not think anyone who sees it goes away thinking anything other than that it is a magnificent memorial. If the federal government or the Royal Australian Navy makes a decision, and the state government supports it, to have a special commemoration day on 19 November, which marks the day that the vessels were sunk and the Australian lives were lost, we would be only too happy to contribute to the establishment of a special memorial service. The member for Geraldton has also suggested that we write to the federal government asking that at least the Geraldton memorial, which is somewhat different in nature from the Carnarvon memorial, be included under the national memorials act so that it comes under the protective umbrella of federal legislation. I think that is a very good idea of the member for Geraldton, and I will pursue that on his behalf for the state government.
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Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.