TASMAN AVIATION ENTERPRISE EXPANSION CONFIRMS SMART STATE AVIATION STRATEGY

State Development Minister John Mickel today congratulated Tasman Aviation Enterprises (TAE) on signing a $90 million contract with the Australian Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO).

“The four-year contract covers the fleet management, engineering, maintenance and logistics for the TF30 engine fitted to the RAAF’s F-111 fleet of strike aircraft at its Amberley airbase,” Mr Mickel said.

“This is a big win for Queensland with the potential for TAE to employ a further 135 staff, including 20 new apprentices.”

Tasman Aviation Enterprises joins a number of major companies, like Boeing, Virgin, Qantas 767 maintenance and EADS (Australian Aerospace) which have set up shop in Queensland in recent years, mostly due to strong lobbying by the Queensland Government.

Mr Mickel said a key component of the Government’s Smart State Strategy was establishing Queensland as an aviation and aerospace hub for the Asia Pacific region.

“In 1997 before we set in place our Aviation Strategy, the local industry was relatively small. The industry currently employs around 6000 highly skilled people and is continuing to grow,” he said.

He said the Government was committed to developing Amberley as an aviation and aerospace hub in Queensland, providing services to the RAAF’s expanding fleet of aircraft.

The Australian Defence Force is planning a $285 million upgrade of its Amberley base, making it one of the key super bases of the future.

“The Government has purchased land right next door to the base to develop the Amberley Aerospace Park,” Mr Mickel said.

TAE is an aviation maintenance company and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Air New Zealand.
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Media inquiries: Chris Brown (07) 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion (07) 3224 6784