Minister welcomes Victoria Cross winner’s support for LAND 400 bid

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick has welcomed Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith’s backing of Queensland’s bid to secure the $5 billion LAND 400 contract for the state.

Mr Dick said the Palaszczuk Government worked hard to convince Rheinmetall to build their vehicle – the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) – in Queensland if they win the contract.

Mr Roberts-Smith today threw his support behind Rheinmetall’s Boxer CRV, noting that it offered more protection over BAE Systems Australia’s armoured vehicle – comments which further bolster Queensland’s prospects of securing the deal.

“The Palaszczuk Government has been actively supporting the bid to secure this important land warfare machine and the hundreds of jobs it will support since April 2016, and we welcome the support of Mr Roberts-Smith to win this bid.

“It’s great to see a Victoria Cross winner backing Queensland’s efforts with Rheinmetall to secure jobs for Queenslanders.

“Queensland is rapidly establishing itself as a centre of excellence for advanced manufacturing and has a well-established culture of defence procurement and maintenance.

“Queensland is already home to the largest air force base and largest army base in the country, and the LAND 400 project will complement that existing capability.

“The Palaszczuk Government has been working in close partnership with Rheinmetall to bring the LAND 400 contract to Queensland.

“We have been delivering material support to their bid, which we believe offers value for money and a superior fit-for-purpose vehicle.

“Should Rheinmetall be successful, it will deliver 450 direct, full-time jobs for Queenslanders each year across the life of the contract, and hundreds more along the extensive supply chain needed to support the project.

“All Queensland MPs should be supporting Queensland’s bid for this project – federal and state.

“As the Minister for State Development, building our defence manufacturing industry is at the top of my priority list.

“Later this week I am meeting with Gary Stewart, CEO of Rheinmetall Defence Australia, in what will be one of my first major meetings in this portfolio to discuss this important project and other opportunities that may exist.

“Our government also sent a high-level delegation to Germany, including Ministerial representation, to promote the benefits of Rheinmetall selecting Queensland as their prospective base.

“Our government convinced Rheinmetall to pick Queensland - now we need Federal LNP MPs to convince Mr Turnbull to pick Rheinmetall.

“The decision is imminent. The Palaszczuk Government and Rheinmetall have done all we can to promote the merits of bringing the LAND 400 project to Queensland.

“I now call on Queensland Federal LNP members to join with us and do what they can to bring this project home for our state.

“This project will mean investment in Queensland and jobs for Queenslanders, and we look forward to the Turnbull Government’s pending decision.”

ENDS

Media contact: Anika Hume 0447 320 039