Boxer would be a champ for manufacturing sector

FEDERAL MPs from around the State have formed “Team Queensland” to support Rheinmetall’s Boxer CRV.

This is not just about parochial support – we’ll leave that for the Cowboys grand final this weekend.

Team Queensland recognises that this bid will boost our defence capability, create a new industry, and build jobs for the future.

On the Boxer, as a project, there is no reconnaissance vehicle in the world that is more lethal, mobile, and smarter than the Boxer.

Most importantly, it has an out- standing ability to protect the troops inside and bringing our soldiers home safely is always a top priority.

From our perspective, here in Queensland, securing this project is about far more than just building these vehicles.

It is about establishing a whole new industry – a high value manufacturing industry with cutting- edge technology.

This is an opportunity for Australia to become a world leader in heavy vehicle technology with both defence and civil applications.

That new industry would mean thousands of jobs – not only the jobs created by this project but long- term careers with Rheinmetall and other small and medium businesses based in regional areas.

We cannot underestimate the value of this project to our region and to the state.

Rheinmetall is delivering more than 2500 logistics trucks to the Australian Army under the LAND 121 Phase 3B program.

Queensland has the capability to do it and to do it well.

The foundations are here – the busi- nesses and the people, with the right skills and experience.

It’s vital we pull together as a team and show our collective support for the project to be based in Queensland.

We know the southerners are quick to dismiss North Queensland. And the Cowboys made them pay the price for doing just that on Saturday.

Here is our opportunity to band together as North Queenslanders and show them we are a formidable force when it comes to industry as well.

GEORGE CHRISTENSEN, Federal Member for Dawson.