Defence industries plan designed to support more jobs

The Queensland Government’s vision of a 10,000 person-strong, $7 billion defence industries sector by 2028 will be driven by a newly-released plan which underpins $15 million in industry development programs.

State Development and Manufacturing Minister Cameron Dick today released the Defence Industries 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan.

Mr Dick said supporting the defence industries sector with a range of initiatives could see the creation of 3500 new jobs.

“The Federal Government’s Defence White Paper and the pace of technological change presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for defence suppliers,” he said.

“I want to see Queensland businesses reap the benefits.

“Our state’s defence industries employ more than 6500 people and generated an estimated $6.3 billion in revenue in 2015-16. 

“The Queensland Government’s attraction of Rheinmetall to build their Land 400 Boxer military combat reconnaissance vehicles here demonstrates that we are increasingly being recognised as our nation’s next-generation defence supplier.

“So too does the Federal Government’s decision to base the Defence Cooperative Research Centre for Trusted Autonomous Systems in Queensland.”

Mr Dick said $10 million had been allocated to fund defence hubs in Ipswich and Townsville.

The hubs would be a source of advice and expertise, focusing on regional supply chain logistics as well as maintenance.

Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard said Ipswich would gladly join in implementing the Defence Industries 10-year Roadmap and Action Plan.

“Ipswich, with its proximity to the Amberley RAAF Base, is an ideal location for a defence industries hub,” Ms Howard said.

“The hub will act as a catalyst for skilled jobs for Ipswich people in advanced manufacturing, and will provide opportunities for small to medium businesses in Ipswich to benefit from this growing sector.”

Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden, whose electorate includes the Amberley RAAF Base, said the roadmap set out a path to enable local firms to take advantage of emerging business opportunities.

“The defence industries sector is growing quickly and establishing a national and international reputation for excellence. This roadmap will build on the momentum and set the direction for further growth,” he said.

Member for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller said her electorate was front and centre in the growth of the defence industries sector with the location of the Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence, or MILVEHCOE, to build the Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles at Redbank Plains

“The construction of this $170 million facility will support 300 jobs a year over two years and is an excellent example of the economic benefits to be gained from the expansion of the defence industries sector,” she said.

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said Townsville was a logical location for a defence industries hub, and the potential for local jobs resulting from the move underscored its importance.

“Townsville is a proud garrison city and developing a defence industries hub through this roadmap provides exciting opportunities for our region,” he said.

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said it made sound business sense to target defence industries as a priority sector for development.

“Queensland is home to 27 per cent of Australian Defence Force personnel and 14 significant defence facilities are located across the state,” Mr Harper said.

Member for Mundingburra Coralee O’Rourke said consultation on the hubs was planned for later in 2018, in order to ensure that they delivered on the needs of industry, councils and the community.

Ms O’Rourke said the roadmap also included a development fund to help Queensland small to medium size enterprises get the skills and accreditations needed to compete in the global marketplace.

To assist development of the State’s defence industries, the State Government has appointed three strategic defence advisors to support and help attract major defence projects to Queensland.

The new advisers are retired Lieutenant General Peter Leahy, retired Rear Admiral Simon Cullen and retired Air Vice-Marshal Neil Hart.

Lieutenant General Leahy said that the recent run of high profile successes for Queensland’s defence and aerospace industries had shown that local expertise was being recognised.

“There is real momentum in these industries in Queensland, and the roadmaps will ensure that momentum is maintained and accelerated as a range of high-value, technologically advanced national and international projects come on line,” he said.

“The sector here benefits from a strong cadre of leading small and medium businesses, who bring to the table the sorts of skills and capabilities that defence forces and prime contractors all over the world are looking to make use of.

“The focus in the roadmaps on improving the ability of local businesses to develop capability and access the defence and aerospace supply chains, as well as a focus on developing a long-term pipeline of projects, will set these industries up for success,” Lieutenant General Leahy said.

Key actions contained in the roadmap include:

• the creation of Defence Jobs Queensland to develop the state’s defence industry and enable delivery of the key strategies and priority actions
• establishing defence advisory boards of senior defence and industry personnel
• establishing a Defence and Aerospace Industry Development Fund to help Queensland small-to-medium enterprises get the skills and accreditations needed to compete in the global marketplace
• engaging with the Australian Defence Organisation and industry to attract major defence projects to Queensland.

Media contact: Cath Palmer 0424 823 424

Background

As part of the State Government’s Advance Queensland program launched in 2015, a number of industry sectors were identified as emerging priority industries to be supported by the Government to build their competitive strengths and create the knowledge-based jobs of the future.

The priority industries identified were:

• Advanced manufacturing
• Aerospace
• Biofutures
• Biomedical
• Defence
• Mining equipment, technology and services (METS)

To assist these industries to realise their potential and become major contributors to jobs and the economy, the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning has developed a series of industry roadmaps. The roadmaps and accompanying action plans will guide how industry and the Government can work together to develop these industries for the next 10 years.

These roadmaps and their supporting action plans have been developed through extensive consultation in conjunction with industry, investment and research partners as well as the Queensland public.

Roadmaps released to date are: Biofutures (June 2016) Advanced Manufacturing (December 2016), Biomedical (June 2017) and METS (July 2017).