Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Minister for Rural Health) Share this | Hansard source

I certainly can provide that advice to the senator. Queensland is home to 22,000 Defence personnel that contribute around $3.4 billion to the Queensland economy every year. North Queensland will see great economic benefits flow from the defence white paper. Townsville will see major improvements to existing Defence infrastructure. Additional wharf space and support facilities will be developed in Cairns to support the 12 new offshore patrol vessels that will be based there. Accommodation facilities will also be upgraded at the Lavarack Barracks in Townsville, which will benefit from a $50 million investment. Townsville will also see benefits as part of around $300 million to $400 million which will be spent on new and enhanced weapons and explosive ordnance facilities across Australia. It is clear that the coalition has a clear plan for Defence and an even clearer plan for jobs and growth in Queensland.