Senator the Hon Marise Payne
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The Hon Christopher Pyne MP
24 Aug 18
Release details
Release type
Related ministers and contacts
Senator the Hon Marise Payne
Minister for Defence
Media contact
- Henry Budd (Minister Payne’s office) 0429 531 143
- Defence Media (02) 6127 1999
Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion
Senator for the Northern Territory
Release content
7 August 2018
Joint media release
- Minster for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne
- Senator for the Northern Territory, Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion
Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne and Senator for the Northern Territory, Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion, today welcomed the announcement that Northern Territory-owned and operated construction business Sunbuild has been awarded a US$1.6 million contract by the US Government to deliver an aircraft maintenance support facility at RAAF Base Darwin as part of the Force Posture Initiatives.
"This announcement highlights the competitiveness of Australian industry and demonstrates its ability to deliver projects to the world's most technically advanced armed forces," Minister Payne said.
“The Force Posture Initiatives are an important part of the Australia-United States defence relationship,” Minister Payne.
“They provide important combined training opportunities which improve our ability to work together to increase stability in the region and respond to crises.
"Construction projects for US Force Posture Initiatives will be conducted over the next 10 years, providing opportunities for many sectors including construction, professional services, maintenance and logistics.
"There will be opportunities in sub-contracting, maintenance and supply arrangements that will benefit local suppliers.”
Senator Scullion said to support the growing initiatives, Australia and the United States would invest around US $2 billion into existing Defence infrastructure and facilities in the Northern Territory.
“This is great news for local suppliers and businesses in the Territory,” Senator Scullion said.
“This announcement shows that local suppliers will be successful if they meet requirements and can demonstrate value for money.”
Infrastructure and facility development will be concentrated at Robertson Barracks and RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal, as well as Northern Territory training areas and ranges.
Throughout 2018, Defence will work with the United States, state and local Governments, and industry networks to share and learn lessons and provide support to Australian industry to mature and grow its business capability.