Meryl Swanson (Paterson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It goes without saying that I have the best electorate in the country! I live there. I holiday there. One of the jewels in the crown of Paterson is RAAF Base Williamtown. I'm pleased to say that I want to wish it a happy 80th birthday today—established in 1941. I'm also pleased to say that RAAF Base Williamtown provides fantastic employment and a lifestyle that many defence families say is the envy of the defence community. I want to congratulate Group Captain Anthony Stainton. Good on you, George, you are doing a fantastic job as the new SADFO. I often joke that I am the self-appointed member for the F-35. We know that we have 54 of the 72 F-35s based at Australia's premium jet base in the country.

I also want to acknowledge today that it's the 30th birthday of Fighter World, which is located right next to the base. Last week I was pleased to visit Fighter World and meet up with Bernie Nebenfuhr and Air Vice-Marshal (Ret'd) John Quaife, who showed me around Fighter World. It displays aircraft, uniforms, memorabilia, but most importantly it provides a place for our students to go and do the most incredible workshops. They talk about aviation and being part of the modern Defence Force in Australia. Congratulations and happy birthday.