Time our numbers came up
POLITICS is a numbers game.
Malcolm Turnbull has 76 House of Representatives MPs and 21 are in Queensland, second to NSW. Throw in five senators and Queensland is the Prime Minster’s sweet spot.
However, we have fewer Cabinet ministers than Victoria, which means they can sit around the decision- making table to demand a greater share of the funding pie for their state.
Our 26 federal Coalition Queensland MPs and senators are finally doing what they should have done years ago: using their weight in the party room to obtain more for the people of Queensland.
If an election were held today, Bill Shorten would likely win and several MPs and Cabinet ministers would be booted from office. The old hands know how soul- destroying being in Opposition is, and to them switching sides in Parliament is an unbearable thought.
So they are telling the Prime Minister and their NSW, Victoria and South Australian counterparts that it is Queensland’s turn; that without Queenslanders, Malcolm Turnbull cannot hold office.
Land 400 phase two is a multi- billion- dollar Defence spend that could rival the jobs created during the mining boom, especially if Queensland builds on defence industry capabilities already in the state.
While the winning company will decide the location of its Land 400 headquarters, it would be naive to think that the PM would be tone deaf to 26 Queenslanders banging on his door to demand the contract be awarded to the firm that commits to Queensland.
Enough of the second airports for Sydney. Enough of the extra GST cash for Victoria.
Given South Australia will receive the lion’s share of $ 85 billion for submarines and future frigates, this project needs to come to Queensland. WITH
a boom in our defence industry starting to take shape as a result of the Turnbull Government’s record $ 195 billion investment, Queensland, with its large industrial base, growing research and development hubs and expanding population, is in an enviable position to take advantage.
We are investing $ 195 billion to equip our defence forces to meet the challenges of the 21st century. As we expand our capability, the Government is determined maximise local content and construction.
The Turnbull Government’s commitment to a local defence industry has given Queensland businesses the certainty they need to hire more staff, invest in skills and innovation and build infrastructure.
In the past financial year $ 3.8 billion was invested through defence MINISTER FOR DEFENCE INDUSTRY into Queensland – a significant boost for industry, the economy and the broader community.
Queensland is already successfully leveraging an impressive hub of expertise and already supports billions of dollars worth of military vehicle, aerospace, maritime, and other Defence contracts. The state’s small- tomedium enterprises are providing cutting- edge technologies and innovations to enhance our defence capability and realise significant export opportunities.
A national supply chain will be needed for all the Government’s major projects, particularly for the $ 89 billion naval shipbuilding program including the Future Submarines, Future Frigates and Offshore Patrol Vessels. Queensland companies are already taking the first steps to becoming a part of the supply chains for these important projects with 236 attending industry days in the state over the past few months.
Today I will announce more than $ 500 million for upgrades to our Wedgetail aircraft, of which a majority of work will take place in Brisbane, creating almost 120 jobs.
As part of Defence’s $ 3.5 billion Land 121 Phase 3B project, Rheinmetall has engaged Queensland companies Holmwood Highgate and Penske to help deliver the new generation of medium and heavy trucks to the ADF, while the vast majority of trailers are being made by Brisbane company Haulmark Trailers.
Queensland’s defence industry is set to receive a further boost with the recently announced sustainment contract for Australia’s fleet of C- 17A Globemasters to Boeing Defence Australia, which will lead to new jobs.
Defence spending is not just directed at south- east Queensland. This Government is expanding Queensland’s vital Defence operational training capabilities at both the Townsville Field and Shoalwater Bay training areas.
The Government is delivering on the Australia- Singapore Military Training Initiative, which will result in strong and enduring economic opportunities for local communities and businesses in both regions. It will drive much needed investment in central and North Queensland with up to $ 2 billion injected into the region over the next 10 years.
I am a firm believer in the innovative potential of Australia’s defence industry. This is why the Government has set up the Centre for Defence Industry Capability backed by an investment of $ 1.6 billion. The centre is the focal point for collaboration between industry and academia and the $ 640 million Defence Innovation Hub capitalises on unprecedented innovative opportunities to support Defence.
The future is bright for Queensland and defence industry in not only local contracts but global exports. What we are already seeing is local jobs and economic growth as a result of Turnbull Government decisions, with much more to come.