MINISTERS VISIT THE BRISBANE-BASED 7th COMBAT BRIGADE

MINISTER FOR DEFENCE

SENATOR THE HON MARISE PAYNE 

THE HON JANE PRENTICE MP

ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR DISABILITY SERVICES

The Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, together with Federal Member for Ryan, the Hon Jane Prentice MP this morning visited the Australian Army’s Gallipoli Barracks at Enoggera, Queensland.

Senator Payne and Mrs Prentice met with the men and women of the Brisbane-based 7^th Combat Brigade and their families over a BBQ breakfast.

Senator Payne said it was a pleasure to spend time with members of the Australian Army.

“I have enjoyed meeting the soldiers and officers of the 7^th Combat Brigade, and to have an opportunity to discuss how the Defence White Paper will provide resources to serving members at the local level,” Senator Payne said.

“This begins with the investment announced in the Defence White Paper of around $50 million over the next decade to update and refurbish facilities at Enoggera, enhancing Defence’s capacity to support unmanned aircraft capability."

“From 2025 onwards, the White Paper will invest a further $450 million for upgrades to Gallipoli Barracks to ensure the Army is equipped with world class resources and facilities.”

Mrs Prentice said the 7^th Combat Brigade was an important part of the Brisbane community.

“With nearly 7,000 Defence personnel based at Gallipoli Barracks; the ADF has a strong relationship with Brisbane that has extended over decades,” she said.

“Members of Defence are involved in all aspects of Brisbane life – as residents, in sporting teams, schools, the workforce and local business.

“The Army is a key part of our community and it is great to see the future investment the White Paper brings to Brisbane.”

The 7^th Combat Brigade is comprised of infantry, artillery, armoured, engineer, signal and combat support regiments. Members of the 7^th Combat Brigade have recently deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Okra, and provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to Fiji under Operation Fiji Assist.

Further information about the 7^th Combat Brigade is available at:

http://army.gov.au/Our-people/Units/Forces-Command/7th-Brigade

Media contacts:

Henry Budd (Minister Payne’s Office) 0429 531 143

Laura Churchill (Assistant Minister Prentice’s Office) 0407 570 264

Defence Media (02) 6127 1999