Australian Government response to the 2025 independent review of the Woomera Prohibited Area coexistence framework

The Australian Government welcomes the findings of the 2025 independent review of the Woomera Prohibited Area coexistence framework. 

The Government accepts all 19 of the review’s recommendations. 17 are accepted in full, while  two – which require additional steps for implementation – have been accepted in-principle. 

Led by Ms Rebecca Skinner PSM, the review undertook comprehensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, including pastoralists, the resource, tourism and research sectors, and First Nations groups. The review also engaged closely with the South Australian Government as the Commonwealth’s partner in coexistence. 

The review found that while the coexistence framework operated effectively since its establishment in 2014, it requires modernisation to reflect Australia’s contemporary strategic environment.

The recommendations will inform the remaking of the Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014, which underpins the arrangements that seek to balance the interests of all Defence, economic and cultural users, as well as reforms to modernise the coexistence framework. In return for giving Defence the additional flexibility it needs for activities to meet its growing operational capability requirements and to protect Australia, the Government has committed Defence to minimising impacts and providing greater certainty to non-Defence users. Defence will work closely with all stakeholders, including First Nations groups, as it implements the reforms. 

The Government thanks Ms Skinner for conducting the review and Woomera Prohibited Area stakeholders for their constructive engagement throughout the process and their ongoing commitment to successful coexistence. 

The final report and government response is available at: Review of the Woomera Prohibited Area Coexistence Framework

Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“The review reaffirmed the continuing utility of the co-existence framework but found it requires modernisation to respond to our challenging strategic circumstances. Woomera will be increasingly important to enable Defence to accelerate the development, testing and acquisition of advanced and emerging capabilities.

“At the same time, the Government is committed to working closely with all coexistence stakeholders —including pastoralists, the resource sector and First Nations groups — to improve access and certainty for other users, and to implement these reforms now and into the future.”

MEDIA NOTE:

The review and government response are available at: https://www.defence.gov.au/about/reviews-inquiries/review-woomera-prohibited-area-coexistence-framework

Further information about the Woomera Prohibited Area Rule is available here: Review of the Woomera Prohibited Area Coexistence Framework