The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney, and Federal Member for Wakefield, Mr Nick Champion today welcomed the signing of a new Defence contract worth up to $90 million.
Visiting RAAF Base Edinburghwith the Member for Wakefield, Nick Champion, Senator Feeney said: “Labor is committed to Defence in South Australia.”
“Defence is increasing its presence in South Australia, with the recent relocation and establishment of 7RAR of the 1st Brigade to South Australia,” Senator Feeney said.
“A new Defence contract worth up to $90 million will further boost South Australia’s economy,” Senator Feeney said.
“This multi-million Defence contract is great news for South Australia’s economy. It’s a big win for local jobs and South Australia’s small businesses and tradespeople,” local MP Nick Champion said.
“This contract will generate about 150 jobs and opportunities for approximately 100 sub-contractors.
“Although the pace of maintenance work will vary, these sub-contractors could at any one time engage up to 500 South Australians across a range of roles including technical, trade and administrative positions,” Nick Champion said.
“Yet again, Labor has shown its support for Adelaide as a key Defence hub. Labor is committed to RAAF Base Edinburgh as one of Australia’s ‘superbases’,” Nick Champion said.
The Defence Department has determined, through a competitive tender process, that Transfield Services (Australia) Pty Ltd will be engaged as the provider of the Comprehensive Maintenance Services (CMS) contract for all Defence establishments inSouth Australia.
The contract is for the provision of facility and maintenance services to all Defence bases and sites in South Australia.
It includes services such as: airfield maintenance, fixed plant and equipment maintenance and routine maintenance.
Sites in South Australia include: RAAF Base Edinburgh, DSTO Edinburgh, Port Wakefield, Keswick Barracks, Cultana and Murray Bridge Training Areas and a range of other Defence Reserve and Defence Cadet facilities.
The contract will be for an initial period of three years, commencing in December 2011.
There will be options for up to three single year extensions at the discretion of the Commonwealth.
Recent Defence projects, such as the RAAF Base Edinburgh Redevelopment Stage 2 Project, Hardened and Networked Army Project and the Enhanced Land Force Project have jointly injected more than $770 million into the South Australian economy.
Media Contact:
(Feeney) Lorna Clarke - 0408 345 730
(Champion) Andrew Anson - 0434 817 126
