Shayne Neumann (Blair, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

It was my privilege to represent the Minister for Defence at RAAF Base Amberley at Ipswich last Friday and to open the $51 million future home of the Air Force’s five multirole tanker transports at RAAF Base Amberley. The new facility will provide 33 Squadron with a headquarters and maintenance complex. We welcome 33 Squadron to Ipswich, recently moving to RAAF Base Amberley from RAAF Base Richmond in Western Sydney, to begin preparations to operate the MRTT, designated by the RAAF as KC30B for RAAF service. The first KC30B is expected to arrive at Amberley next year.

This is a world-class facility. It is part of a comprehensive upgrade of facilities at RAAF Base Amberley and will allow the base to operate heavy airlift aircraft such as the KC30B and the C17. The development of RAAF Base Amberley will ensure the base remains an important economic driver in the Ipswich region and it will significantly enhance the airlift and air-to-air refuelling capacity for Australia. We welcome 33 Squadron to Ipswich and we thank the minister for the investment in Ipswich.

See this speech in context