Queensland is Invested in Defence

Queensland will continue to press home its natural advantages to claim more of Australia’s multi-billion-dollar defence spending, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has told industry leaders.

Speaking at the Queensland Government-organised Invested in Defence event at Parliament House, Ms Palaszczuk said defence was one of the keys to job creation and prosperity for Queensland.

“We have a large defence forces presence already in place here, and established companies and supply chains are serving their needs,” the Premier said.

“Geographically, we are ideally situated to expand Queensland’s role as an exporter of high value defence products into the Asia Pacific region.

“And raising our presence in defence manufacturing goes hand in hand with the Government’s advanced manufacturing strategy, embracing the tools and technologies of Industry 4.0.

“Last week we launched a campaign to support Rheinmetall’s bid for the estimated $15 billion LAND 400 Phase 3 project, following the securement of the $5.2 billion Phase 2.”

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Industry and Planning Cameron Dick said the Queensland Government was heavily invested in defence.

“To shape the future direction and growth of defence industries we have produced the Queensland Defence Industries 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan,” Mr Dick said.

“Our vision is to grow our current defence sector workforce of more than 6500 to in excess of 10,000 by 2028, in jobs that are knowledge-based and highly skilled.

“Defence Jobs Queensland will support growth and drive our ambition to become the khaki capital of Australia.”

Mr Dick said the Australian Government’s 2016 Defence White Paper and Integrated Investment Program projected an increase in the defence spend over the decade to 2025–26 to close to $450 billion.

“It’s our aim to ensure that Queensland sits in the box seat to claim and successfully deliver a significant proportion of that Federal defence spend,” he said.

Invested in Defence showcased 10 Queensland defence manufacturers and their products to around 120 guests.

Exhibitors were:

• EM Solutions, Brisbane
• EPE, Brisbane
• Praesidium Global, Caloundra
• Insitu Pacific, Brisbane
• Steyr Motors, Brisbane
• Craig International Ballistics, Arundel
• Simjet, Brisbane
• TAFE Queensland
• PFI (Products for Industry), Brisbane
• RFDesign, Brisbane

The Queensland Defence Industries 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan can be downloaded from http://www.dsdmip.qld.gov.au/resources/plan/defence-industries/defence-industries-roadmap.pdf.

ENDS

Media contact: Minister Dick’s office - Lesley Major 0419 288 284