Visit - Fleet Base East and Holsworthy Barracks

The visit to HMAS Kuttabul and Fleet Base East commenced with an introductory call on the Acting Maritime Commander, Commodore J Earley CSC RAN.

Following that call, the Tribunal proceeded to HMAS Brisbane. This visit allowed the Tribunal to view the living and working conditions onboard a Hobart Class destroyer.  The Tribunal focussed on the role of the Electronic Technicians as previously considered in Matter 12 of 2021 - Navy - Electronic Technician - Radar Systems Controller and Combat Systems Coordinator streams. Additionally, the Tribunal viewed demonstrations on the roles of the Boatswains Mate category, as a precursor to a review of that category to be held later in 2022.

A focus group session in regard to cumulative effects of sea postings, and the impact of COVID, flood and bushfire assist deployments, was held with some members of the ship's company. That discussion will help to inform the Tribunal's considerations on forthcoming maritime allowance matters.

The Tribunal also attended a brief by the Australian Fleet Sea Training Group at Fleet Base East where they were briefed on the collective training conducted by the myriad of STG members, and their working conditions.

On 25 May 2022 the Tribunal visited Holsworthy Barracks, commencing with a tour of the School of Military Engineering including the Explosive Detection Dog premises, Construction Wing training and Combat Engineering search training. In the afternoon the Tribunal witnessed a broad range of demonstrations to inform their deliberations for the Special Operations Command Workforce Review presently underway.