Victorian Defence Industry to be a key driver of jobs and growth

The Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, visited Victoria today to meet with the Premier of Victoria, the Hon Daniel Andrews MP, and large and small defence industry businesses to discuss the critical role for Victoria’s Defence industry in delivering both defence capability and in creating jobs and economic growth for the state.

Victoria is vital to the Federal Government’s plans for Australia’s defence, with key Defence training facilities, as well as intelligence, and science and technology capabilities being based here. More than 13,000 Defence personnel are based in Victoria.

“As Minister for Defence Industry, I am pleased to be here in Victoria and speak with Victoria’s industry first hand. I appreciated meeting with Premier Andrews and understand his Government’s approach to growing Victoria’s industry in support of a national approach to naval shipbuilding”, said Mr Pyne.

Mr Pyne also took the opportunity to meet with the Australian Industry and Defence Network’s Victorian executive and membership and outlined the Australian Government’s vision for Australia’s Defence industry.

“These are exciting times for Australia’s Defence industry. Not only has this Government restored certainty for Australian industry through the Defence White Paper, but we are embarking on the largest investment to renew Defence capability in recent history which will create jobs and spur economic growth across the country”, said Mr Pyne.

“One of my highest priorities is to ensure we have a truly collaborative national approach to developing Defence capability. Defence, Australian industry and State and Territory Governments must all work together if we are to maximise jobs and economic growth and deliver the very best capability available for the Australian Defence Force,” he said.

The Minister’s visit reinforces the Government’s commitment to forming a new partnership with Australian defence industry in Victoria and that a national approach is taken to ensure that Defence gets the equipment, systems and personnel it needs.

Media Contacts
Rory Grant: 0439 764 809, pynemedia@defence.gov.au

Eleisa Hancock: 0427 981 990, pynemedia@defence.gov.au

Defence Media (02) 6127 1999