Ross Vasta (Bonner, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak about the Morrison government's $270 billion investment in Australia's defence capability. Not only do I support this investment; I applaud it. We are living in increasingly uncertain times, both at home and abroad. Australia must always prioritise its own interests, and that's exactly what the Morrison government is doing. We are ensuring that the men and women of the Australian Defence Force have the capability they need to keep Australians safe and secure. Currently, 15,000 business and 70,000 Australians are employed in our defence industry. These numbers will increase thanks to our $270 billion plan. It will create new jobs for skilled workers and provide investment in our local communities over the coming decade and beyond. It is more important than ever that we keep Australians in work.

Queensland is heading towards being Australia's front line for defence industry, and that's thanks to the Morrison government's ongoing commitment to Australia's defence capability. Our government is investing in growing Queensland's defence capability, supporting Queensland small businesses and enabling thousands of jobs. North Queensland has an established defence industry. This is the patch of the member for Herbert, Phil Thompson. It is the gold standard, an example of what can be achieved. Townsville has a long and proud role at the core of our nation's defence. It is Australia's largest garrison city. Our plan will help strengthen Townsville's defence strategy over the decades to come. We are committing $31 million to the delivery of a new, three-storey armoured vehicle simulation centre in Townsville. This equates to 110 local jobs—jobs that are crucial to keeping Australians safe. As part of this plan, Queensland will welcome the first of a fleet of new combat reconnaissance vehicles. The plan will enable the delivery of 211 Boxer CRVs, creating 330 local jobs in Queensland.

Our plan benefits both the state of Queensland and my electorate of Bonner. Bonner is home to successful defence contracts critical to building up our local industry. In 2019, Skyborne Technologies, based in Murarrie, were awarded a $460,000 grant by the Morrison government to enhance manufacturing capability and further research into artificial intelligence. They are making their mark on Australia's defence industry through the development of armoured drones. Bonner is also home to the Tingalpa based defence manufacturer Ferra Engineering, which, late in 2020, was awarded a defence global competitiveness grant of $127,000 to enhance export manufacturing capability. Ferra Engineering is one of Australia's largest independently owned technology companies serving the aerospace and defence industries. The Morrison government is creating the environment for Australian businesses to thrive. I recently visited Crystalaid's headquarters in Tingalpa, also in my electorate. Crystalaid are undertaking incredible work that specialises in defence, medical and aerospace industries. I was excited to congratulate them on being one of six Australian small businesses to be awarded a $207,000 grant from the Morrison government to boost their export potential. Bonner is going from strength to strength when it comes to defence.

Small business is the backbone of our economy, and small businesses are front and centre in our defence capability and infrastructure. Next week, Land Forces, which is the region's premier international land defence exposition, will take place in Queensland. It will showcase equipment, technology and services for the armies of Australia and the Indo-Asia-Pacific. Under the Morrison government, Queensland has an exciting and young defence industry base. For this event to go ahead, it's clear that there is confidence in the Queensland defence industry.

The Morrison government is getting on with the job of delivering for defence and our defence industry. Compare this with the previous Labor government, which sat idle for six years. Labor gutted $18 billion from the defence budget. Labor did not commission even one single Australian-built ship, whereas the Morrison government is creating at least 15,000 jobs in Australian defence shipbuilding. It's not enough just to talk about the defence of our nation; you need a plan. You need to execute and invest in that plan, and that is how the Morrison government is building the strongest defence industry the country has ever seen.

Debate interrupted.

Sitting suspended from 13:30 to 16:00

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