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

At the heart of our $8 billion investment into the Northern Territory is our nation's security but, wonderfully, it will also provide significant new job opportunities in the Northern Territory for at least the next decade to come. This government has provided industry with significant long-term pipelines of investment. I was up there recently meeting with the Chief Minister, Senator McMahon and business representatives to work together to ensure we can provide a continuous pipeline supply of jobs and investment in the Northern Territory. Local industry capability plans, which were implemented by Senator Payne, who was the relevant minister at the time, are now realising very significant benefits to local industry in the Northern Territory. The Northern Territory's industry participation in major Defence construction projects is now over 80 per cent and is continuing to rise. Hundreds of local jobs and millions of dollars are now flowing into local businesses and this will continue for many years to come. (Time expired)