Admiral’s love sub has periscopes up
AUSTRALIA’S former navy chief has been criticised for using a Collins submarine as his personal “love sub” after taking his girlfriend on an overnight ride and proposing.
Vice Admiral Michael Noonan used his senior position as then-chief of navy to grant his partner Samantha Heighway approval to board HMAS Waller on June 23 last year, in a move described by the Department of Defence as “not routine”.
“Defence is advised that Mr Noonan proposed marles
riage to his partner during the sea ride,” a department spokeswoman said.
It can be exclusively revealed the lovebirds spent the night on the Collins class submarine, which was at sea to film material for Defence Force Recruiting near Geraldton in Western Australia.
Defence said Mr Noonan had personally “approved the sea ride” and confirmed, while it did not break any rules, civilians were not usually invited on trips.
“It is not routine for Defence members to take a civilian partner, spouse (or) relative on an overnight sea
ride,” a spokeswoman said.
No official imagery was taken of the sea ride but Defence was “aware personal photographs were taken during the visit”.
Mr Noonan and Ms Heighway were in WA on a Defence-funded trip for a memorial service when the last-minute submarine ride was approved.
But Defence said the submarine trip did not incur any extra cost to the taxpayer as the vessel was “already at sea”.
Five days after the trip, Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Mar
announced Mr Noonan would be replaced by Vice Admiral Mark Hammond as chief of navy.
It is understood the decision had been made before the submarine marriage proposal and had no relation to it.
Asked about the incident, a spokeswoman for Mr Marles said: “The highest level of standards are expected from all Defence personnel, especially those in command positions”.
The proposal voyage has stunned members of the military community, with Coalition assistant defence spokesman Phil Thompson calling it an “abuse of power”.
“The navy is a professional outfit, this isn’t the chief of navy’s personal love sub,” he said. “He had the unilateral power to approve the (civilian trip) and that leaves all the sailors in a very uncomfortable position because the most senior person … is the one doing the questionable thing.”
“What processes are being put in place … to ensure this abuse of power doesn’t happen again?” he said.
“There are proper times when civilians can go on military equipment or bases, but … is not one of them.”