Fed: Fitzgibbon says submarine problem former govt's fault

AAP General News (Australia)
04-09-2009
Fed: Fitzgibbon says submarine problem former govt's fault

CANBERRA, April 9 AAP - Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon says he is taking action to
remedy the navy's serious shortfall of submariners left by the previous government.

Mr Fitzgibbon said he commissioned the report released Wednesday which details why
the navy can't recruit enough submarine personnel and loses too many of those it trains.

He said the government would take on board all the report's recommendations.

"It is very disappointing, again something I inherited from the former government,
something I acted upon immediately on coming to government in a number of ways," he told
ABC Radio.

"I will continue to work on it," he said.

"More specifically (Defence Personnel Minister) Warren Snowden will continue to work
on it. He has the time to properly focus on these issues. This is his brief and I have
full confidence in his ability to see this thing through and improve the situation."

Mr Fitzgibbon said he had explicitly told navy chief Vice Admiral Russ Crane that his
main job was to address the serious personnel shortages and their implications for naval
capability.

The navy report revealed submariners suffered an arduous schedule, working long, exhausting
shifts on extended sea deployments.

Only three of the navy's six Collins submarines can be fully crewed because of a shortage
of experienced submariners.

The navy has launched an intensive campaign to improve working conditions and improve
recruitment and retention.

AAP mb/kms/jl

KEYWORD: SUBMARINES FITZGIBBON

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