STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr GOSLING (Solomon) (13:37): This week, I've been hosting Lieutenant Commander Ben Couch of the Royal Australian Navy. Ben is the commanding officer of HMAS Cape Pillar, and he's here with the Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program this week. HMAS CapePillar is one of the six patrol boats home ported at HMAS Coonawarra up in Darwin and crewed by Australians who quietly and professionally contribute to our national security every day.

From protecting our northern approaches through maritime border security and supporting regional engagement, the men and women of our patrol boat fleet play a vital role in keeping Australia safe. Ben's participation in this program highlights the strong relationship between the Territory and the Navy and the Australian Defence Force more broadly. Defence Force personnel and their families are woven into the fabric of our community in the Top End.

They contribute to our economy, our schools, our sporting clubs and our way of life. As a strategic importance of northern Australia continues to grow, so too does the importance of the partnership between Darwin and Defence in Australia's great northern capital. I thank Lieutenant Commander Couch for his exemplary service and wish him and the ship's company of HMAS Cape Pillar all the very best.

HMAS Cape Pillar's motto is 'look forward', and I very much look forward to keeping in touch with both the Lieutenant Commander and the ship's crew.