Mr KIELY - 2002-10-08
Minister, would you please advise the House on what defence expenditure on infrastructure in the Territory this year will mean in terms of jobs for Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for his question. I am sure all of us in this parliament support the ADF presence in the Northern Territory, and we all value the tremendous contribution their presence makes to the Territory community at a social level as well as an economic level.
We are about to see, for the rest of this financial year, a significant expenditure increase in this area of infrastructure, an additional $78m in Commonwealth expenditure. This expenditure is going to be maximised in terms of providing jobs for Territorians, business for Territory companies, and work for subcontractors in the building industry. It really is a collaboration between the Commonwealth Defence Department, Defence Housing Association, the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment, Department of Justice, DBIRD, as well as the Australian Industry Defence Network Northern Territory which is chaired by Mark Smith and which has significant representation from Territory business to make sure that the Territory does benefit as best it can from this infrastructure spend.
The Carey Street housing development will be complete this year, a $27m project nearing completion. I congratulate Multiplex, the project managers on site at the moment. There are 170 jobs on that construction site with at least a similar amount, if not more, out in the broader economy, and an absolute commitment in terms of making sure that Territorians gain the bulk of this work. A lot of the major works on that site has been broken up into bite-size pieces to ensure that as many Territory companies as possible can benefit from that. We are working with the major primes to ensure that that type of effort in terms of supporting local small business in the Territory continues. This is significant expenditure.
I am pleased to be able to announce today that finally, that after some years of discussion, the Northern Land Council and the Commonwealth are completing the ILUA that will allow the Bradshaw field training area at Bradshaw Station to commence this year. $27m this year, a huge impact on our economy, $50m over the coming two years.
It goes to show that with goodwill and negotiation, we can get over these hurdles. The Australian Defence Force personnel and their families continue to contribute to the Northern Territory. All of us in this House support their presence. The infrastructure is continuing to be developed and we, as a government, will continue to ensure that Territory business gains the most benefit possible from this infrastructure.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for his question. I am sure all of us in this parliament support the ADF presence in the Northern Territory, and we all value the tremendous contribution their presence makes to the Territory community at a social level as well as an economic level.
We are about to see, for the rest of this financial year, a significant expenditure increase in this area of infrastructure, an additional $78m in Commonwealth expenditure. This expenditure is going to be maximised in terms of providing jobs for Territorians, business for Territory companies, and work for subcontractors in the building industry. It really is a collaboration between the Commonwealth Defence Department, Defence Housing Association, the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment, Department of Justice, DBIRD, as well as the Australian Industry Defence Network Northern Territory which is chaired by Mark Smith and which has significant representation from Territory business to make sure that the Territory does benefit as best it can from this infrastructure spend.
The Carey Street housing development will be complete this year, a $27m project nearing completion. I congratulate Multiplex, the project managers on site at the moment. There are 170 jobs on that construction site with at least a similar amount, if not more, out in the broader economy, and an absolute commitment in terms of making sure that Territorians gain the bulk of this work. A lot of the major works on that site has been broken up into bite-size pieces to ensure that as many Territory companies as possible can benefit from that. We are working with the major primes to ensure that that type of effort in terms of supporting local small business in the Territory continues. This is significant expenditure.
I am pleased to be able to announce today that finally, that after some years of discussion, the Northern Land Council and the Commonwealth are completing the ILUA that will allow the Bradshaw field training area at Bradshaw Station to commence this year. $27m this year, a huge impact on our economy, $50m over the coming two years.
It goes to show that with goodwill and negotiation, we can get over these hurdles. The Australian Defence Force personnel and their families continue to contribute to the Northern Territory. All of us in this House support their presence. The infrastructure is continuing to be developed and we, as a government, will continue to ensure that Territory business gains the most benefit possible from this infrastructure.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016