The Palaszczuk Government is setting its sights on Queensland building the nation’s most capable and successful defence industry by enlisting the support of three expert advisory groups to unlock new economic development opportunities.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the advisory groups will provide strategic advice about defence industry development and related investment attraction.
"One of my top economic priorities is to accelerate the growth of Queensland’s defence sector by building on our state’s world-class defence industrial base, and to increase the number of Queenslanders working in defence manufacturing industries from 6000 to 10,000 in the next decade – an ambitious target we are on our way to achieving.
"The Commonwealth’s Defence Capability Framework has outlined planned expenditure of $195 billion over the next decade to strengthen our defence forces – and I am determined that Queensland, home to the largest army and air force bases in the country, gets its fair share.
"To do this, I have established three expert advisory bodies - an overarching Minister’s Advisory Council on Defence Industry and Jobs, and, importantly, two regionally focused boards for the north and south of the state.
"The expertise and experience of the members will give us a valuable perspective on industry challenges and identifying new opportunities as part of our clear mission to grow Queensland’s defence industry.
"Membership of the Ministerial Advisory Council will include Chief Defence Advisor and Strategic Defence Advisor for Land, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy AC (Retd), who, alongside the other strategic defence advisors and respected industry leaders, will help drive the agenda and shape government policies and programs for building industry capability and competitiveness.
"The regional advisory boards will identify supply chain gaps and opportunities and ensure suppliers right across Queensland have the chance to position themselves to tap into this growing market.
"All three groups will offer expert advice and insight to advance key strategies of the Queensland Defence Industries 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan and enable us to grow and promote industry capability, increase the state’s contribution to national and international supply chains and markets, and create high-skilled jobs by targeting emerging markets.
"Already we’ve seen Rocklea’s Haulmark Trailers Australia and Holmwood Highgate in Loganholme, as part of the Rheinmetall Defence Australia supply chain, benefit from the Federal Government’s boosted defence spend through the $1.4 billion LAND 121 program.
"With the assistance of the new advisory groups, more suppliers will come on board as we focus on being responsive to industry needs and views, and creating a globally-focused, diverse economy that delivers high-value, knowledge-based jobs."
Find the Queensland Defence Industries 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan here: https://www.dsdmip.qld.gov.au/resources/plan/defence-industries/defence-industries-roadmap.pdf
