❓ The Minister for Arts provides an update on the search for HMAS Sydney, including the ongoing search efforts, investment, and plans for protecting the site if found. Focus is on respecting the site and families.
AnsweredQoN 25Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
HMAS SYDNEY
Will the minister please advise the house of the recent developments in relation to the search for HMAS Sydney ? Ms S.M. McHALE
Will the minister please advise the house of the recent developments in relation to the search for HMAS Sydney ? Ms S.M. McHALE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Geraldton for the question and, obviously, his particular interest in this search. Of course, the sinking of HMAS Sydney is Australia’s greatest maritime mystery and wartime tragedy. The sinking in November 1941 saw the loss of all 645 men who were on board. That sudden loss and the fruitless searches caused grief and created controversy and conflict, and that continues to this day. Today sees another step in the search for HMAS Sydney , even though readers of our daily newspaper might be quite shocked to learn that the search is continuing and the HMAS Sydney has not been found. With the assistance of the federal and state governments, half a million dollars has been invested in the search. A crew of 30 international people are departing from Geraldton today to search a 1 800 square nautical mile area. We wish them well. We acknowledge the families and their desire to bring closure to their grief. I inform the house that, should the wreck of the Sydney and/or the Kormoran be found in commonwealth waters, it is the intention of the commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Heritage to declare those sites — Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE : This is very important, and I think members opposite should listen in silence. The commonwealth minister intends to declare the sites historic sites under the act and to declare them protected zones. That means that the CEO of the Western Australian Museum will then be responsible to the commonwealth minister for the protection and management of the sites. In anticipation of any future find a contingency plan has been developed by the Western Australian Museum in concert with the federal department and the Department of Defence. Of paramount concern is that proper respect be shown to the resting place of the officers and the crew of the Sydney and, indeed, the Kormoran in all communications and actions undertaken in locating, announcing, protecting and managing the sites. It is an important day for the search of the Sydney . We wish all those involved well in the search. We acknowledge above all else the families and their desire to see closure brought to this event.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for Geraldton for the question and, obviously, his particular interest in this search. Of course, the sinking of HMAS Sydney is Australia’s greatest maritime mystery and wartime tragedy. The sinking in November 1941 saw the loss of all 645 men who were on board. That sudden loss and the fruitless searches caused grief and created controversy and conflict, and that continues to this day. Today sees another step in the search for HMAS Sydney , even though readers of our daily newspaper might be quite shocked to learn that the search is continuing and the HMAS Sydney has not been found. With the assistance of the federal and state governments, half a million dollars has been invested in the search. A crew of 30 international people are departing from Geraldton today to search a 1 800 square nautical mile area. We wish them well. We acknowledge the families and their desire to bring closure to their grief. I inform the house that, should the wreck of the Sydney and/or the Kormoran be found in commonwealth waters, it is the intention of the commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Heritage to declare those sites — Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE : This is very important, and I think members opposite should listen in silence. The commonwealth minister intends to declare the sites historic sites under the act and to declare them protected zones. That means that the CEO of the Western Australian Museum will then be responsible to the commonwealth minister for the protection and management of the sites. In anticipation of any future find a contingency plan has been developed by the Western Australian Museum in concert with the federal department and the Department of Defence. Of paramount concern is that proper respect be shown to the resting place of the officers and the crew of the Sydney and, indeed, the Kormoran in all communications and actions undertaken in locating, announcing, protecting and managing the sites. It is an important day for the search of the Sydney . We wish all those involved well in the search. We acknowledge above all else the families and their desire to see closure brought to this event.
I thank the member for Geraldton for the question and, obviously, his particular interest in this search. Of course, the sinking of HMAS Sydney is Australia’s greatest maritime mystery and wartime tragedy. The sinking in November 1941 saw the loss of all 645 men who were on board. That sudden loss and the fruitless searches caused grief and created controversy and conflict, and that continues to this day. Today sees another step in the search for HMAS Sydney , even though readers of our daily newspaper might be quite shocked to learn that the search is continuing and the HMAS Sydney has not been found. With the assistance of the federal and state governments, half a million dollars has been invested in the search. A crew of 30 international people are departing from Geraldton today to search a 1 800 square nautical mile area. We wish them well. We acknowledge the families and their desire to bring closure to their grief. I inform the house that, should the wreck of the Sydney and/or the Kormoran be found in commonwealth waters, it is the intention of the commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Heritage to declare those sites — Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE : This is very important, and I think members opposite should listen in silence. The commonwealth minister intends to declare the sites historic sites under the act and to declare them protected zones. That means that the CEO of the Western Australian Museum will then be responsible to the commonwealth minister for the protection and management of the sites. In anticipation of any future find a contingency plan has been developed by the Western Australian Museum in concert with the federal department and the Department of Defence. Of paramount concern is that proper respect be shown to the resting place of the officers and the crew of the Sydney and, indeed, the Kormoran in all communications and actions undertaken in locating, announcing, protecting and managing the sites. It is an important day for the search of the Sydney . We wish all those involved well in the search. We acknowledge above all else the families and their desire to see closure brought to this event.
With the assistance of the federal and state governments, half a million dollars has been invested in the search. A crew of 30 international people are departing from Geraldton today to search a 1 800 square nautical mile area. We wish them well. We acknowledge the families and their desire to bring closure to their grief. I inform the house that, should the wreck of the Sydney and/or the Kormoran be found in commonwealth waters, it is the intention of the commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Heritage to declare those sites — Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE : This is very important, and I think members opposite should listen in silence. The commonwealth minister intends to declare the sites historic sites under the act and to declare them protected zones. That means that the CEO of the Western Australian Museum will then be responsible to the commonwealth minister for the protection and management of the sites. In anticipation of any future find a contingency plan has been developed by the Western Australian Museum in concert with the federal department and the Department of Defence. Of paramount concern is that proper respect be shown to the resting place of the officers and the crew of the Sydney and, indeed, the Kormoran in all communications and actions undertaken in locating, announcing, protecting and managing the sites. It is an important day for the search of the Sydney . We wish all those involved well in the search. We acknowledge above all else the families and their desire to see closure brought to this event.
I inform the house that, should the wreck of the Sydney and/or the Kormoran be found in commonwealth waters, it is the intention of the commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Heritage to declare those sites — Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE : This is very important, and I think members opposite should listen in silence. The commonwealth minister intends to declare the sites historic sites under the act and to declare them protected zones. That means that the CEO of the Western Australian Museum will then be responsible to the commonwealth minister for the protection and management of the sites. In anticipation of any future find a contingency plan has been developed by the Western Australian Museum in concert with the federal department and the Department of Defence. Of paramount concern is that proper respect be shown to the resting place of the officers and the crew of the Sydney and, indeed, the Kormoran in all communications and actions undertaken in locating, announcing, protecting and managing the sites. It is an important day for the search of the Sydney . We wish all those involved well in the search. We acknowledge above all else the families and their desire to see closure brought to this event.
Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE : This is very important, and I think members opposite should listen in silence. The commonwealth minister intends to declare the sites historic sites under the act and to declare them protected zones. That means that the CEO of the Western Australian Museum will then be responsible to the commonwealth minister for the protection and management of the sites. In anticipation of any future find a contingency plan has been developed by the Western Australian Museum in concert with the federal department and the Department of Defence. Of paramount concern is that proper respect be shown to the resting place of the officers and the crew of the Sydney and, indeed, the Kormoran in all communications and actions undertaken in locating, announcing, protecting and managing the sites. It is an important day for the search of the Sydney . We wish all those involved well in the search. We acknowledge above all else the families and their desire to see closure brought to this event.
Ms S.M. McHALE : This is very important, and I think members opposite should listen in silence. The commonwealth minister intends to declare the sites historic sites under the act and to declare them protected zones. That means that the CEO of the Western Australian Museum will then be responsible to the commonwealth minister for the protection and management of the sites. In anticipation of any future find a contingency plan has been developed by the Western Australian Museum in concert with the federal department and the Department of Defence. Of paramount concern is that proper respect be shown to the resting place of the officers and the crew of the Sydney and, indeed, the Kormoran in all communications and actions undertaken in locating, announcing, protecting and managing the sites. It is an important day for the search of the Sydney . We wish all those involved well in the search. We acknowledge above all else the families and their desire to see closure brought to this event.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for Geraldton for the question and, obviously, his particular interest in this search. Of course, the sinking of HMAS Sydney is Australia’s greatest maritime mystery and wartime tragedy. The sinking in November 1941 saw the loss of all 645 men who were on board. That sudden loss and the fruitless searches caused grief and created controversy and conflict, and that continues to this day. Today sees another step in the search for HMAS Sydney , even though readers of our daily newspaper might be quite shocked to learn that the search is continuing and the HMAS Sydney has not been found. With the assistance of the federal and state governments, half a million dollars has been invested in the search. A crew of 30 international people are departing from Geraldton today to search a 1 800 square nautical mile area. We wish them well. We acknowledge the families and their desire to bring closure to their grief. I inform the house that, should the wreck of the Sydney and/or the Kormoran be found in commonwealth waters, it is the intention of the commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Heritage to declare those sites — Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE : This is very important, and I think members opposite should listen in silence. The commonwealth minister intends to declare the sites historic sites under the act and to declare them protected zones. That means that the CEO of the Western Australian Museum will then be responsible to the commonwealth minister for the protection and management of the sites. In anticipation of any future find a contingency plan has been developed by the Western Australian Museum in concert with the federal department and the Department of Defence. Of paramount concern is that proper respect be shown to the resting place of the officers and the crew of the Sydney and, indeed, the Kormoran in all communications and actions undertaken in locating, announcing, protecting and managing the sites. It is an important day for the search of the Sydney . We wish all those involved well in the search. We acknowledge above all else the families and their desire to see closure brought to this event.
I thank the member for Geraldton for the question and, obviously, his particular interest in this search. Of course, the sinking of HMAS Sydney is Australia’s greatest maritime mystery and wartime tragedy. The sinking in November 1941 saw the loss of all 645 men who were on board. That sudden loss and the fruitless searches caused grief and created controversy and conflict, and that continues to this day. Today sees another step in the search for HMAS Sydney , even though readers of our daily newspaper might be quite shocked to learn that the search is continuing and the HMAS Sydney has not been found. With the assistance of the federal and state governments, half a million dollars has been invested in the search. A crew of 30 international people are departing from Geraldton today to search a 1 800 square nautical mile area. We wish them well. We acknowledge the families and their desire to bring closure to their grief. I inform the house that, should the wreck of the Sydney and/or the Kormoran be found in commonwealth waters, it is the intention of the commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Heritage to declare those sites — Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE : This is very important, and I think members opposite should listen in silence. The commonwealth minister intends to declare the sites historic sites under the act and to declare them protected zones. That means that the CEO of the Western Australian Museum will then be responsible to the commonwealth minister for the protection and management of the sites. In anticipation of any future find a contingency plan has been developed by the Western Australian Museum in concert with the federal department and the Department of Defence. Of paramount concern is that proper respect be shown to the resting place of the officers and the crew of the Sydney and, indeed, the Kormoran in all communications and actions undertaken in locating, announcing, protecting and managing the sites. It is an important day for the search of the Sydney . We wish all those involved well in the search. We acknowledge above all else the families and their desire to see closure brought to this event.
With the assistance of the federal and state governments, half a million dollars has been invested in the search. A crew of 30 international people are departing from Geraldton today to search a 1 800 square nautical mile area. We wish them well. We acknowledge the families and their desire to bring closure to their grief. I inform the house that, should the wreck of the Sydney and/or the Kormoran be found in commonwealth waters, it is the intention of the commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Heritage to declare those sites — Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE : This is very important, and I think members opposite should listen in silence. The commonwealth minister intends to declare the sites historic sites under the act and to declare them protected zones. That means that the CEO of the Western Australian Museum will then be responsible to the commonwealth minister for the protection and management of the sites. In anticipation of any future find a contingency plan has been developed by the Western Australian Museum in concert with the federal department and the Department of Defence. Of paramount concern is that proper respect be shown to the resting place of the officers and the crew of the Sydney and, indeed, the Kormoran in all communications and actions undertaken in locating, announcing, protecting and managing the sites. It is an important day for the search of the Sydney . We wish all those involved well in the search. We acknowledge above all else the families and their desire to see closure brought to this event.
I inform the house that, should the wreck of the Sydney and/or the Kormoran be found in commonwealth waters, it is the intention of the commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Heritage to declare those sites — Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE : This is very important, and I think members opposite should listen in silence. The commonwealth minister intends to declare the sites historic sites under the act and to declare them protected zones. That means that the CEO of the Western Australian Museum will then be responsible to the commonwealth minister for the protection and management of the sites. In anticipation of any future find a contingency plan has been developed by the Western Australian Museum in concert with the federal department and the Department of Defence. Of paramount concern is that proper respect be shown to the resting place of the officers and the crew of the Sydney and, indeed, the Kormoran in all communications and actions undertaken in locating, announcing, protecting and managing the sites. It is an important day for the search of the Sydney . We wish all those involved well in the search. We acknowledge above all else the families and their desire to see closure brought to this event.
Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE : This is very important, and I think members opposite should listen in silence. The commonwealth minister intends to declare the sites historic sites under the act and to declare them protected zones. That means that the CEO of the Western Australian Museum will then be responsible to the commonwealth minister for the protection and management of the sites. In anticipation of any future find a contingency plan has been developed by the Western Australian Museum in concert with the federal department and the Department of Defence. Of paramount concern is that proper respect be shown to the resting place of the officers and the crew of the Sydney and, indeed, the Kormoran in all communications and actions undertaken in locating, announcing, protecting and managing the sites. It is an important day for the search of the Sydney . We wish all those involved well in the search. We acknowledge above all else the families and their desire to see closure brought to this event.
Ms S.M. McHALE : This is very important, and I think members opposite should listen in silence. The commonwealth minister intends to declare the sites historic sites under the act and to declare them protected zones. That means that the CEO of the Western Australian Museum will then be responsible to the commonwealth minister for the protection and management of the sites. In anticipation of any future find a contingency plan has been developed by the Western Australian Museum in concert with the federal department and the Department of Defence. Of paramount concern is that proper respect be shown to the resting place of the officers and the crew of the Sydney and, indeed, the Kormoran in all communications and actions undertaken in locating, announcing, protecting and managing the sites. It is an important day for the search of the Sydney . We wish all those involved well in the search. We acknowledge above all else the families and their desire to see closure brought to this event.
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