REGIONAL VICTORIA A BIG WINNER FROM 2016 DEFENCE WHITE PAPER
The Nationals Senator for Victoria, Senator Bridget McKenzie today
applauded the 2016 Defence White Paper as a significant document for Australia
and Regional Victoria.
“Many of the regions throughout Victoria will play a vital role in
delivering Australia’s capabilities detailed in the White Paper.
“The Government is acquiring 1,100 Hawkei Protected Mobility
Vehicles from the early 2020s, built at the Thales Australia facility in
Bendigo.
“This is great news for the Thales facility, for the local region
with the jobs it provides and for the economy of Victoria”, Senator McKenzie
said.
The White Paper also provides for enhanced Defence’s imagery and
targeting capability to support ADF operations through greater access to allied
and commercial space-based capabilities, including through the Australian
Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation’s Bendigo facility.
It also includes the refurbishment and upgrade for RAAF Base
Williams at Laverton in the decade 2025 – 26 representing an investment of
about $230 million with further substantial investment in the Base after that.
Other significant funding announcements for Regional Victoria
include:
•Refurbish Puckapunyal Training Area in the decade to 2025-26,
including infrastructure upgrades, representing an investment of over $100
million, with a further redevelopment worth around $600 million in the decade
between 2025-26 and 2035-36.
•Redevelop the Albury-Wodonga Military Area and key infrastructure
over the next decade. This represents an investment of up to $350 million over
the decade to 2025-26, with a further investment of around $50 million in the
decade between 2025-26 and 2035-36.
•Around $500 million will be invested in HMAS Cerberus in the
decade to 2025-26, with a further planned investment of around $60 million out
to 2035-36.
•HMAS Cerberus, Navy’s primary training facility, will be critical
in delivering the plans in the White Paper for building a potent maritime and
submarine warfare capability. Modern training facilities and accommodation will
be vital in supporting recruitment, retention and building expertise.
•A test facility at the Proof and Experimental Establishment in
Graytown will be constructed while a small arms ammunition test facility will
be constructed in Benalla.
Senator McKenzie said the 2016 Defence White Paper is a
significant boost for Regional Victoria which will play a major role in the
delivery of Australia’s defence capabilities over the coming decades.