Australias leading defence officials and industry leaderswill converge in Darwin today for the 7th Annual Northern Australia DefenceSummit.
The two-day Summit brings together Defence officials,industry leaders and military commanders, and a key focus will be on theTerritorys strategic importance to future prosperity and security of ourNation.
The Territory Labor Government is positioning the Territoryas the capital of Northern Australia to benefit from the $20 billion ofAustralian Defence Force construction projects planned over the next 20-years.
Darwins Ship Lift and marine services will be on the agenda- with the Australian Industry Defence Network NT backing the project. TheTerritory Labor Government is building a ship lift at East Arm which will bringaround $260 million into the NT economy and create about 400 jobs duringconstruction and ongoing.
Earlier this month Australian Navys Rear Admiral WendyMalcolm made the case for the Navys requirement to establish four RegionalMaintenance Centres for maintenance of its vessels - including one in Darwin.This is a strategic investment into the Territorys economic future to unlockthe Norths job-creating potential.
The Regional Maintenance Centre will operate with the ShipLift to service all types of Navy vessels, with a focus on a highly skilled andconsistent local workforce. This will ensure that marine engineering andmaintenance jobs in Darwin will stay in Darwin, and only grow.
The Northern Territorys Defence Advocate Air Vice MarshalMargaret Staib will also be speaking at the Northern Australia Defence Summit.
Quotes attributed toChief Minister Michael Gunner:
The Territory Labor Government knows that Defence will playa significant role in its investment and job creation in the NT over the next20 years and we want local businesses to get the best shot possible atwinning contracts. These contracts will provide thousands of jobs forTerritorians.
The Northern Territory has an incredibly bright economicfuture within reach.
This is why the Territory Government is investing in jobcreating infrastructure right across the Territory, and this is why we arepartnering with local business to deliver game changing projects like the ShipLift."
