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Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles skipped a crucial meeting with US military leadership regarding Red Sea deployment, according to a recent Senate hearing.
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The Minister for Defence was allegedly a no-show for a video teleconference with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd James Austin III, according to statements made at the recent Senate foreign affairs, defence and trade legislation committee meeting held on 14 February.
The conference related to Operation Prosperity Guardian, the US-led military operation to form a multinational coalition in December last year in response to Houthi-led attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
US Secretary of Defense Austin called the two-hour conference on 19 December with international partners as an expression of interest for nations to contribute to Operation Prosperity Guardian.
Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell, speaking at the Senate estimates this week, said he attended the conference because Minister Marles was occupied by other commitments.
“I don’t recall (why he wasn’t there during the teleconference). It’s a matter to take up with the minister’s office,” he said during the senate hearing on 14 February.
When questioned whether there had been discussion between the US Defense Secretary and Minister Marles regarding the Red Sea deployment, General Campbell said: “None to my knowledge.”
“You’re suggesting a 16-day period of absence of ministerial activity (after the request was received early December), whereas it’s a period in which we are coming to understand the operational approach the United States is considering,” he said.
“At the same time, the United States is moving through their channels to government’s approach that emerged on the evening of December 19 video conference.”
It was later announced on 21 December that Australia would not send a warship for the US-led multinational Combined Maritime Forces taskforce despite the National Security Committee not being convened to consider the request. Instead, Australia confirmed it would contribute six additional Australian Defence Force personnel to the Combined Maritime Force.
General Campbell was also questioned whether Minister for Defence Richard Marles had discussed the Red Sea deployment request with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“I’m not (aware of any discussions), but I’m not expecting to be. It’s not my business to be conscience of the Deputy Prime Minister engagements with the Prime Minister or his colleagues,” General Campbell said.
Royal Australian Navy Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark David Hammond, speaking at the Senate meeting, said advice was provided that the Royal Australian Navy had the capability to meet a Red Sea deployment request; however, the final decision was to be made by the government.
The Combined Maritime Forces request came through on 28 November, and an electronic scanned copy was received on 5 December before being passed to the Chief of Defence Force’s office, he said.
Head military strategic commitments division Air Vice Marshal Stephen Chappell said an initial request was made from the US Navy to the Combined Maritime Forces.
The request was a consideration for support, ship, aircraft or staff. A number of discussions resulted between staff and US defence, he said. The request was assessed based on the balance of interests and priorities of Australia in the global context, he added.
