Pitch for Defence business and jobs

FEBRUARY 26, 2016: I will  investigate the possibilities of attracting Defence work for businesses in the Mackay region following the release of the 2016 Defence White Paper.To that end, I have invited Defence Materiel Minister Dan Tehan to Mackay to pitch the case for the city’s engineering support businesses, as well as the city’s building and construction businesses.The Defence White Paper outlines that $29.9 billion will be spent over the next decade, and that includes a considerable boost to Defence spending and infrastructure in the Townsville region.There will be Mackay businesses that either already have the capabilities to do this work, or could diversify into those capabilities.Projects outlined include $50 million for accommodation and facilities at Lavarack Barracks, $100 million to update facilities at the RAAF base to support the introduction F‑35A Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, as well as new Chinook helicopters and troop lift helicopters.There will also be work to support a riverine patrol fleet, for new and enhanced weapons facilities and the redevelopment of the field training area.Other work will be undertaken at Shoalwater Bay south of Mackay.There will be an investment of $150 million to support the range of new land combat and amphibious warfare capabilities at Shoalwater Bay and this also has the potential to provide work for our businesses and jobs for workers.Today I have written to the Minister for Defence Materiel Dan Tehan and invited him to come to Mackay so we can explore the possibilities of Mackay businesses undertaking some of the work that will be required over the next decade to support this massive boost to our Defence capabilities.This work being undertaken to provide a massive boost to our Defence capabilities will take place virtually up the road, and we need to pitch our case for being involved.