City in public service hub call

TOWNSVILLE could be home to more scientists, trade and Defence Department officials following renewed calls to relocate Commonwealth public servant jobs to the regions.

LNP senator Ian Macdonald said he would continue to fight for more jobs that “build on the strengths” of North Queensland.

“I’ve already spoken to the Defence Minister ( Marise Payne) about ensuring that a lot of the bureaucracy that will surround both the Boxer Land 400- vehicle program and Singapore military training deal would be based in Townsville,” he said.

“I’ll be having talks to see if there are more public service jobs in the trade area that we can get permanently based here,” he said.

Senator Macdonald said the existing Australian Institute of Marine Science was a “perfect example” of Commonwealth entities suited to North Queensland.

“I’m not saying we should open the Antarctic division up here or anything … but there is more we can do in the marine science area,” he said.

Sen Macdonald said he be- lieved the combination of affordable housing and ease of modern communications made North Queensland an attractive candidate.

“I think moving whole departments is too difficult … the Government needs to put on more graduate public servants starting off their career in places like Townsville,” he said.

“There are wonderful opportunities and once they come it will be a lot like the army people … once they get here they’ll never leave.”

The senator’s views are backed by Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack, who this week declared taking big government departments out of capital cities would be safer for families who could live like “kings and queens” in regional Australia.

Herbert MP Cathy O’Toole said she would like to see elements of the Department of Veterans Affairs moved to Townsville.

“As a major garrison city we have the largest veteran and ex- service personnel population in the country so I think it would be a very good fit for this community,” she said.

“Before any decision is made as to where you would relocate a government department, there should be a real understanding of the connection with the community and how it would best suit their needs.”