Focus on growing defence industry in NQ

A delegation of Townsville business leaders was today (Tuesday, September 26) led by Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland and Member for Mundingburra Coralee O’Rourke to South Australia to seek out new opportunities to grow North Queensland’s defence industry.

Minister O’Rourke said the Palaszczuk Government recognised defence as one of Queensland’s priority sectors with the potential to grow and create new jobs, particularly in Townsville and North Queensland.

“The Palaszczuk Government can see Townsville’s potential to become Australia’s defence hub, providing training and industry related support for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) maritime, land and air capability right across the North,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“Queensland is home to 26 per cent of Australian Defence Force personnel and 14 significant defence facilities, including the Lavarack Barracks in Townsville.

“With Townsville’s home to Australia’s largest defence base, opportunities exist to develop the defence industry further in this region.

“This is particularly important as it will provide opportunities for our service personnel leaving the defence force to gain local jobs in defence-related industry.

“I know that many of our local defence force families wish to stay in Townsville once their time with the defence forces has ended.

“That’s why I am determined to grow North Queensland’s defence industry, to provide local jobs for those making the transition to civilian life, which I know is so important to the ongoing social well-being of these men, women and their families.”

Minister O’Rourke said Queensland’s defence industries employ approximately 6,500 Queenslanders across the state from Cairns to the Gold Coast, and generates more than $4.2 billion in annual revenue.

“Clearly this is big business for our State and I am keen to see North Queensland grow its share of the defence market and become recognised as a major hub,” she said.

“Our Government wants to make sure we have the right policies and programs in place, to ensure Townsville has every opportunity to be established as a major defence hub – and we will keep working to identify investment and expansion opportunities.

“We are also working hard to support our existing defence industries and attract new companies to Queensland, which is why we are developing the Advance Queensland Defence and Aerospace 10-Year Roadmaps and Action Plans.”

As part of the visit, the North Queensland delegation will meet with key personnel from Defence SA and tour some of South Australia’s major defence facilities including Techport.

Business leaders travelling to South Australia with Minister O’Rourke, include:

• Townsville Enterprise Limited, Director of Policy and Investment, Mr Michael McMillan
• Port of Townsville, Acting General Manager Business Development, Ms Maria James
• Townsville Airport, Communications and Business Development Director, Ms Isabelle Yates
• Representatives from the Queensland Government including Defence Industries Queensland

The delegation to South Australia follows a visit to Townsville this week by the Rheinmetall Boxer armoured vehicle that is part of their bid to win the Australian Army’s $5 billion LAND 400 Phase 2 contract.

Rheinmetall’s bid is being supported by the Palaszczuk Government, and the company has committed to design, manufacture and maintain 225 Boxers in Queensland if it wins the LAND 400 contract.

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

ENDS

Media Contact: Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389