Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry says Central Queenslanders will benefit from a long-term plan to spend $190 million on defence infrastructure and intelligence projects in the Rockhampton-Livingstone region in the coming years.
Defence Minister Marise Payne, Michelle Landry and Chief of Defence Mark Binskin
The projects were outlined today in the release of the Turnbull Government’s 2016 Defence White Paper.
Ms Landry said the paper sets out the government’s comprehensive long-term plan for Australia’s national security.
“The Government will increase defence spending by $29.9 billion over the next decade,” Ms Landry said.
“In Capricornia, up to $190 million is ear marked for upgrades in infrastructure at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area – which is already considered one of the best sites for international military exercises in the Pacific.”
Ms Landry said the White Paper’s Integrated Investment Program will deliver substantial benefits for Central Queensland including:
- Shoalwater Bay Training Area will be upgraded to support the range of new land combat and amphibious warfare capabilities over the next decade to 2025-26, representing an investment of up to $150 million.
- An additional investment of around $40 million is planned for the decade between 2025-26 and 2035-36.
- And new facilities at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area will support the introduction of new armed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance unmanned aircraft in the early 2020s.
Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry on a military tank at Shoalwater Bay near Rockhampton.
Ms Landry said: “The investments outlined in the Turnbull Government’s 2016 Defence White Paper will strengthen our Defence Force and provide a welcome boost to the economy of Capricornia.”
“Defence employs over 70 people in Capricornia and joint defence exercises conducted at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area bring thousands of personnel, and millions of dollars in local spending to the Rockhampton-Livingstone economy. This has significant flow-on effects for the local economy,’’ she said.
Michelle talks to Minister:
Meanwhile, Ms Landry has had brief discussions with both the Federal Defence Minister Marise Payne and Assistant Defence Minister Michael McCormack about other military proposals in the Rockhampton area – including a push to base a contingent of military warfare vehicles at Shoalwater Bay, permanently.
“That would allow military families to be based in Rockhampton which helps to diversify the city’s workforce and is good for business and schools,” Ms Landry said
“The Minister is aware that I have been pushing for this to happen and I have asked her to visit Rockhampton to discuss this and other military related proposals in detail.”
Ms Landry said: “Australians can be confident the Turnbull Government will continue to deliver on its most important task – defending our nation and protecting and promoting our national interests.’’
The 2016 Defence White Paper, Integrated Investment Program and Defence Industry Policy Statement are available at www.defence.gov.au/whitepaper
