Sarah Henderson, Federal Member for Corangamite, today welcomed the release of the 2016 Defence White Paper which reinforces the importance of the LAND 400 program.
“The LAND 400 Combat Vehicle Defence Project is one of the most significant defence contracts in a generation,” Ms Henderson said.
“With tenders currently being considered by government, I am delighted that one consortium intends to place part of its operations in Geelong if it wins the LAND 400 tender. It is also focused on delivering a very high percentage of Australian industry content which of course is a very important priority for our government. That means more jobs for local workers and more opportunities for businesses and the extended supply chain.”
“The Geelong region offers many existing manufacturing facilities which could be re-purposed for part of the manufacture, assembly and maintenance of the estimated 225 armoured fighting vehicles which will be delivered under the LAND 400 contract.”
“With Deakin University, the Geelong Port, Avalon Airport, the Point Wilson defence facility and existing roads and rail freight infrastructure, our region has so much to offer.”
“The White Paper also recognises Australia’s security and prosperity is directly tied to the stability of our region and to the maintenance of a stable, rules-based global order. It positions Defence to respond to a broader range of security threats to Australians at home and abroad.”
“This is the first time that a White Paper fully aligns strategy, capability and resources to make the Australian Defence Force (ADF) more capable, agile and potent.”
“The Turnbull Government is increasing Defence spending by $29.9 billion over the next decade.”
For the first time the Turnbull Government is formally recognising in the Defence White Paper that Defence industry is a pillar of our national security capability.
The Turnbull Government will deliver $1.6 billion of investment in Defence‐related innovation to 2025‐26, supporting Australian science and technology and innovation to provide advanced, home‐grown Defence capabilities.
The Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC) will be funded at around $230 million to 2025‐26. The CDIC will promote defence industry competitiveness, guide the priorities across defence industry, and connect Defence capability with innovation.
Through the Next Generation Technologies Fund, around $730 million to 2025‐26 will be provided for research on next generation technologies with the potential to deliver game‐changing capabilities critical to defence and national security.
The Defence Innovation Hub (the Hub) will be a virtual network, funded at around $640 million to 2025‐26 to bring together Defence’s innovation programs. The Hub will enable defence industry to collaborate on innovation efforts that deliver a capability edge throughout the capability life cycle from initial concept, through prototyping and testing to introduction into service. This massive investment in defence industries presents our region with some real opportunities including for Deakin University’s Centre for Intelligent Research Systems and for large defence companies based in Geelong such as Marand which is building the engine trailer for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.
“The people of Corangamite can be confident the Turnbull Government will continue to deliver on its most important task – defending our nation and protecting and promoting our national interests,” Ms Henderson concluded.
The 2016 Defence White Paper, Integrated Investment Program and Defence Industry Policy Statement are available at www.defence.gov.au/whitepaper.
25 February 2016