Joint media release

• Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP

The Morrison Government’s updated Defence Strategy and ongoing commitment to maximising Australian industry involvement in Defence capability projects will create new jobs and investment in New South Wales over the coming decade and beyond.

As detailed in the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and 2020 Force Structure Plan released by Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP and Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC today, the Government will invest a record $270 billion in Defence capability and infrastructure over the next decade across Australia.

Through this Plan, there will be a $10 billion investment over the coming decade into the refresh and redevelopment of Defence facilities in New South Wales including:

• The redevelopment of the Garden Island Defence Precinct, Sydney
• The modernisation of Headquarters Joint Operations Command at Bungendore
• The redevelopment and upgrade of several Sydney-area sites including: HMAS Waterhen, HMAS Watson, HMAS Penguin, Holsworthy Barracks, Randwick Barracks, Victoria Barracks, RAAF Base Richmond, Defence Establishment Orchard Hills and the Defence Mulwala Facility
• The redevelopment and upgrade of sites in regional NSW including HMAS Albatross and HMAS Creswell, Blamey Barracks Kapooka, Singleton Barracks, RAAF Base Williamtown and Twofold Bay, Eden.

Local industry involvement in the delivery of these projects will be maximised through this Government’s Local Industry Capability Plan initiative. This ensures that local suppliers, contractors and tradies have the opportunity to secure more of this work, creating more jobs for local communities in New South Wales.

This investment comes on top of the Government’s significant investment in building and sustaining Australian Defence Force capability in New South Wales.

Over the 12 months to March 2020, Defence has invested around $5.3 billion in New South Wales. Examples of key programs and activities in New South Wales include:

• The production of steel to support Australian shipbuilding programs delivered from BlueScope contributes to maintaining the workforce at Port Kembla
• The production of small boats, autonomous underwater vehicles and hydrographic surveying sensors for the delivery of Navy’s Rapid Environmental Assessment capability supporting around 25 jobs
• Upgrade of equipment for Air Force’s C-130J fleet supporting approximately 30 jobs
• The sustainment of the new Air Warfare Destroyer fleet in Sydney supporting around 190 jobs
• The delivery of fast-jet training at Newcastle supporting around 295 jobs
• The operation of the Mulwala munitions facility sustaining approximately 350 jobs

In addition to being the homeport for around half of Navy’s surface combatant fleet, New South Wales will also play an important role supporting investment in new cyber technologies, communications and ICT facilities, and enhancement of intelligence capability.

Today, New South Wales is also home to over 30,300 Defence personnel, including ADF permanent and reserve members and Australian Public Service employees. This number is forecasted to grow in the coming years. Combined with the planned future deliveries of platforms such as the Joint Strike Fighter and a more advanced naval force, the Government’s plans will deliver substantial benefits to New South Wales.

The policies and investment in the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and 2020 Force Structure Plan will make the ADF more capable for the wide range of scenarios Australia will face in the future, more agile to rapid changes, and more potent if a situation should call for it.

What is more, much of this investment in Australia’s defence capabilities will go directly to Australian industry, creating jobs and skills. This Government’s investment in defence capability is already benefitting around 15,000 Australian businesses, who support around 70,000 Australian workers. These numbers are set to increase in line with these new opportunities for Australian industry.

This is a comprehensive plan to further build the resilience, agility and capability of the ADF, and create a more secure and safe Australia. The people of New South Wales can have confidence that this Government will ensure that we can defend our nation and protect our interests today and into the future.