‘Being monitored’: Chinese warships spotted 305 nautical miles off Perth

Peter Dutton has lashed Anthony Albanese after a trio of Chinese warships was spotted again, this time a stone’s throw from the WA coast.

A trio of Chinese warships rounding Australia’s coast has now moved further west, with WA Premier Roger Cook confirming on Monday that the vessels were tracked between Albany and Esperance., in the state’s south.

Speaking to the media on Monday, Mr Cook said he had “no concerns” about the Federal Government’s handling of the situation but reiterated the need for a greater naval and aerial presence from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) along WA’s expansive coastline.

It comes as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton sharpened his criticism of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, claiming the PM was “out of his depth” in dealing with the situation.

The Chinese task group — comprised of a frigate, a cruiser, and a replenishment vessel — has been heading west for the past week after conducting unexpected live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand.

A Chinese Warship south of Tasmania, inside the Australian EEZ, and moving west, as seen from New Zealand's HMNZS Te Kaha and Seasprite helicopter. Picture: New Zealand Defence Force

Mr Cook said he had been briefed that the warships were currently 305 nautical miles southeast of Perth, placing them off the coast between Albany and Esperance.

“They’re still yet to sort of come around the corner,” he said.

“Task Group 107 is being monitored, particularly while they’re in the approaches to our maritime area.

“Obviously, we are watching the developments with interest, but confident that the Federal Government is making sure that they continue to monitor the movements and have the situation under control.”

The Chinese task group — comprised of a frigate, a cruiser, and a replenishment vessel — has been heading west for the past week after conducting unexpected live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea.

Pressure for greater ADF presence in WA

When asked if the ships’ movements had exposed gaps in WA’s naval and air force coverage, Mr Cook pointed to existing concerns flagged in the Defence Strategic Review.

“The review exposed the need a few years ago, and that’s why the Federal Government has been moving significantly to shift our defence capability away from infantry to naval and air force,” he said.

“We’ve always said that we wanted more grey ships on the West Coast, particularly the North West.

“That’s been a comment that I and my predecessors have made time and again.

“Western Australia is the home to some of our most important and strategic industries.”

The flotilla was spotted 305 nautical miles off Perth.

Dutton takes aim at Albanese

Peter Dutton wasted no time in turning the issue into a political attack, slamming Albanese’s handling of the situation.

“This Prime Minister had no idea about the presence, he didn’t know what to do, he had to rely on the Virgin pilot and other sources to inform them about the training exercise that was taking place,” Dutton said.

“I just think the Prime Minister’s demonstrated to Australians that he’s completely out of his depth.”

While the Federal Government insists it has the situation under control, the movements of the Chinese task group continue to raise questions about Australia’s naval capability and strategic preparedness — particularly in WA.

Originally published as ‘Being monitored’: Chinese warships spotted 305 nautical miles off Perth