Townsville hosts heavyweight Boxer

A 35-tonne Boxer rolled into North Queensland today: an armoured vehicle that could bring contracts and jobs to the region if its manufacturer wins a $5 billion defence contract.

Townsville businesses and community members met today at the Townsville RSL for a briefing with Rheinmetall - the company behind the Boxer.

“Rheinmetall is touring the state to build a supply chain of companies for its bid to win the Australian Army’s $5 billion LAND 400 Phase 2 contract,” State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said.

“The company has committed to design, manufacture and maintain 225 Boxers in Queensland if it wins the LAND 400 contract.

“Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland and Member for Mundingburra Coralee O’Rourke said the Rheinmetall deal offered real business opportunities for North Queensland.

“These briefings are crucial to local industries in highlighting how local companies might become involved in a project that could generate 450 long-term jobs and pump more than $1 billion into the Queensland economy over the next decade,’’ Mrs O’Rourke said.

Member for Thuringowa Mr Aaron Harper said the powerful combination of Rheinmetall’s vehicle, the outstanding level of protection and survivability it provides to our soldiers, and all the benefits of a Queensland manufacturing location, were almost enough to rename the project QueensLAND 400.

“Several Queensland companies have been successful in gaining the attention of Rheinmetall, part of the state’s extensive network of highly capable and innovative achievers who are deeply involved in the booming global defence industry,’’ Mr Harper said.

Member for Townsville Mr Scott Stewart urged companies to use the opportunity presented today to find out how they might become part of the supply chain.

“It has been fantastic to see the momentum that is building in support of this defence project and the possibility of having such a high-tech manufacturing facility here in the state building a vehicle like the Boxer.

“And if Townsville can play a role – all the better,’’ Mr Stewart said.

The Boxer will be in Cairns on 28 September, Mackay on 29 September and the Gold Coast on 3 October.

For more information visit www.defenceindustries.qld.gov.au/LAND400

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Media inquiries: David Potter 0428 411 617