Bert Van Manen (Forde, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate engineering firm Holmwood Highgate in my electorate for winning a key part of the $1.4 billion Australian Defence Force contract, better known as Land 121. This project will see the replacement of the ADF's fleet of ageing vehicles and trailers, many of which are in excess of 30 years old and are costly and difficult to maintain. Holmwood Highgate was established in Brisbane in 1950 to supply road tankers for companies like Shell and Caltex. Today it employs 140 people at its Loganholme manufacturing plant.

To carry out this ADF contract the company will employ an extra 60 people, providing work until at least 2023. The company will invest some $2 million in additional capital equipment to carry out the Land 121 contract and outsource more than $25 million worth of associated works to local businesses. This multiphased program will provide the Australian Defence Force with next generation high-capability field vehicles, modules and trailers. The project will include 1,044 vehicles, 812 trailers and 872 modules. These will be used by military contingents for everything from resupplying combat operations to supporting the ADF's assistance to Australians after natural disasters—floods, fires and cyclones.

This federal government's injection of funds into Holmwood Highgate— (Time expired)