The Government will appoint an independent team of experts to develop a plan to address problems in the repair and management of the amphibious and support ship fleet, minister for defence Stephen Smith announced at the ADM2011 Congress.
Paul Rizzo, a director of a number of major Australian corporations including the National Australia Bank and Malleson Stephen Jacques and the Independent Chair of the Defence Audit and Risk Committee, will lead the team.
He will be supported by Air Vice Marshal Neil Smith (rtd) and Rear Admiral Brian Adams (rtd) who have relevant experience in defence administration, engineering, maintenance, logistics, systems engineering, safety certification and the operation and support of amphibious ships.
On 1 February, the Government announced that HMAS Manoora was to be decommissioned on the advice of the Chief of Navy.
The Manoora was placed on operational pause by the Chief of Navy after the Seaworthiness Board in September 2010, and an examination of the 40 year old ship has revealed it requires remediation of significant hull corrosion and the replacement of both gear boxes.
As this work would cost over $20 million and take until April 2012 to complete, it is not considered value for money when Manoora was scheduled to be decommissioned at the end of 2012.
On receiving that advice the Minister for Defence asked Defence for further advice outlining the reasons for the early decommissioning of HMAS Manoora and the extended unavailability of HMAS Kanimbla.
This advice identifies systemic and cultural problems in the maintenance of the amphibious ship fleet.