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Australian
Government
Department of the Environment
and Water Resources
Mr
John Atkins
President
Dr John R Carroll
Honorary Secretary
HMAS Sydney & VLSV Association (VIC)
Dear Mr Atkins and Dr Carroll
Your email of 3 March 2007 to the Hon Bruce Billson MP, Minister
for Veterans Affairs, concerning Australian Government support for
the search for the HMAS Sydney II, has been passed to the Minister
for the Environment and Water Resources, the Hon Malcolm Turnbull
MP. I have been asked to respond.
The
Australian Government has taken a strong lead in its support for the
search for HMAS Sydney II through its decision in 2005 to provide
funding of $1.3 million to the company HMAS SYDNEY Search Pty Ltd.
The funding was announced following careful consideration of the
company's plans, including their intention to seek other sources for
the remaining funds necessary to mount a search. The support of the
Australian Government for the search recognised the significance of
HMAS Sydney II both to the nation and to those with strong personal
connections to the vessel. The Western Australian and New South
Wales Governments have also offered financial assistance to the
company in the amounts of $0.5m and $0.25m respectively.
The
search for HMAS Sydney II is an important and sensitive issue for
the nation and the Australian Government is conscious that there are
sincerely held but differing opinions about the location of the
remains of the vessel and where the search for those remains should
be focused. As such, the proposed search may not be successful in
locating the vessel despite the investment of considerable public
funds.
Yours sincerely
Terry Bailey
Assistant Secretary
Heritage Assessment Branch
4 June 2007
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