State won’t splash cash on AV bid ads
THE State Government will not match a last- ditched “nervous” advertising campaign by their Victorian counterparts to secure Defence’s coveted $ 5 billion Land 400 vehicle project.
State Development, Manufacturing and Infrastructure Minister Cameron Dick said the Victorian Government was spending $ 600,000 on advertising, in- cluding an entire front page of the Australian Financial Review, to promote their bid with BAE Systems Australia.
The ad reads: “Mission Possible. Victoria is the only choice for Land 400.”
Mr Dick said he was aware of the campaign but the Palaszczuk Government had a different approach to securing their armoured vehicle ( AV) bid against rivals Rheinmetall Defence Australia.
“( We’re) taking steps to convince those making the decision in Canberra that we have the better and safer vehicle that offers the best value for money,” he said.
Mr Dick said he recently attended a Canberra conference, where he met with Defence Industries Minister Christopher Pyne, senior representatives from the Department of Defence and senior executives from a leading defence manufacturing firms.
He said if built in Queensland, the 225 Rheinmetall Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles would be distributed around the country and Townsville would likely be a “significant beneficiary”.
“We understand a significant number of the vehicles are likely to be based in Townsville and there may be opportunities for local business with vehicles based there,” he said.
“Any Townsville- based small and medium enterprise ( SME) can seek to be part of the Rheinmetall supply chain. The manufacturing of the vehicles is only the first phase.
“The largest part of the contract will be in the ongoing maintenance of the vehicles, which are expected to have a life of approximately 30 years.”
Herbert MP Cathy O’Toole said the Victoria Government’s advertising campaign made them look “nervous”. She said it was “ab- solutely critical” Queensland secured Land 400.
“For us in North Queensland, winning the contract would be a game- changer,” she said. “We know the contract work will be based in Brisbane but there could be a maintenance hub in Townsville. That will mean manufacturing jobs, jobs for veterans and apprenticeships for our kids.”
A spokesman for Mr Pyne said the project was on track for an announcement before the end of the financial year. But some analysts are predicting an announcement before the end of this month.