Question on notice no. 9 Portfolio question number: 13 2018-19 Supplementary budget estimates Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, Defence Portfolio Senator the Hon. Penny Wong: asked the Department of Defence on 24 October 2018— Senator WONG: In the context of the scoping study. I always have an issue with the phrase 'we are in constant contact' because it's actually not possible to be in constant contact. Leaving that aside, I understand what people are saying-ongoing and regular et cetera. I'm not asking about that. I'm actually asking about the work phase associated with scoping the potential redevelopment. I'm asking how many meetings have occurred in respect of that. I think your answer is at least one meeting, which is the scoping visit of 28 to 30 August. I'm asking what other meetings have occurred between Australian officials and PNG officials. Mr Jeffrey: With respect to any development on Manus Island? Senator WONG: Correct. Mr Jeffrey: I would posit that there would be a number of daily bilateral contacts, but I can take on notice- Senator WONG: That was well diverted, Mr Jeffrey. How about we focus then on the Lombrum Naval Base redevelopment? Is that how we described it? Yes, that's how the PNG government described it. Mr Jeffrey: I can take on notice whether there have been any additional meetings. Answer — At the request of the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Government, Defence officials participated in a whole of government scoping visit at Manus from 28 to 30 August 2018, with the primary focus of this visit to explore options for the redevelopment ofLombrum Naval Base. In October, the Chief of the Defence Force visited PNG and discussed defence cooperation and engagement with PNG senior officials. In addition to these high level meetings, Defence officials regularly meet with their PNG counterparts to discuss defence cooperation, including the development of Lombrum Naval Base. Defence has 31 Australian Defence Force Advisers posted to PNG, who are in regular contact with their PNG Defence Force counterparts in support of the Defence Cooperation Program. Among the ADF Advisers are six Royal Australian Navy advisers who regularly engage at Lombrum Naval Base to support AUS-PNG maritime security cooperation..