Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Senator Patrick, for your question, and thanks very much for your interest in Australia's most important weapons testing range, which is also a very significant national security asset for this nation.

You raise two main issues. I'll go to the first one, in terms of the area itself. The area provides Defence with a unique capability for the testing and evaluation of capabilities because of its size, its remoteness, its low population density and its quiet electromagnetic environment. Defence is the primary user of the area. However, in 2014 a coexistence framework was introduced. Under this framework, any non-Defence user wishing to access the WPA must hold the relevant permit or permission to do so under Defence's legislative framework. This includes Defence's permission for any variation sought under existing permits.

In relation to the part of the question about Dr de Brouwer's review, I can confirm that on 11 May 2018 Dr de Brouwer was appointed to lead a review of the Woomera Prohibited Area Coexistence Framework, which you referred to. This review builds on the establishment in 2014 of the existing coexistence framework that seeks to balance the interests of all users in the WPA. The review did reaffirm the need to restrict access—and access only—in relation to foreign investment proposals. On 29 March this year the government announced that it supports the findings and recommendations of Dr de Brouwer's review.

These findings do reflect the enduring and critical importance of the Woomera Prohibited Area, as I said, to national security, while also recognising the considerable value the area holds for Aboriginal cultural heritage, mineral resources, pastoral operations, environmental research and other scientific activities. So, yes, we did support all the recommendations.