COUNCILLOR JACK DEMPSEY: MAYOR, BUNDABERG REGIONAL COUNCIL
Dec 9, 2022 | Annual Leaders Survey 2022
In August 2022 the Prime Minister announced the Defence Strategic Review. According to its terms of reference, the review will help prioritise the estate, infrastructure, logistics and security investments required to provide Australia with the defence force posture required by 2032.
In meeting Australia’s changing security challenges, Queensland offers a number of advantages that could assist defence deliver operational responses over the next decade.
Bundaberg has been actively seeking defence investment at the Port of Bundaberg for more than a decade. Many of the factors that make Bundaberg a strategic location for defence investment, also apply to Queensland.
Some of these, that formed a part of my recent submission to the Defence Strategic Review include Queensland’s ports, people, and potential.
Ports – Defence already has arrangements with various Queensland ports. While Bundaberg Port is not currently used by defence, it is Queensland’s most northern port outside the Great Barrier Reef. It is also unimpeded by congestion and competition from commercial shipping, or coal and gas sectors which use ports such as Gladstone. Other Queensland ports should be strongly put forward for defence investment.
People – 3.9 % of Queenslanders have ever served in defence, compared to 2.8 % for Australia. The majority of Queensland’s serving personnel live in the regions, with Townsville home to Australia’s largest number (4,960) of serving personnel. It makes sense for defence to consolidate its investment around current bases and where defence personnel (incl retired) already reside.
Queensland’s regional towns would welcome defence investment and the population it would bring, while offering defence families a lifestyle without the affordability and congestion issues of the big cities.
Potential – Queensland offers defence other potential advantages. With large training bases at Townsville, Shoalwater Bay, and the Wide Bay (to name a few) the state hosts Australia’s largest joint training exercise, Talisman Sabre.
Queensland has the capacity to deliver large and complex defence programs such as Land 400 phase 2 and Stage 1 of Land 159 projects. Hundreds of innovative Queensland companies and workforces are already delivering these programs, including through several established centres of excellence.
Projects such as the Inland Rail (currently under federal review) and the outer harbour feasibility being conducted for Bundaberg Port should be considered to support defence investment in Queensland.
The state’s bioeconomy presents a further opportunity for defence and its training partners to secure renewable energy to power future fleets navigating off the coast of Australia, and beyond.
While it’s hard for any jurisdiction to push a case for defence for investment, Queensland is better positioned than other states. We need a stronger state policy push for defence investment in Queensland.