LABOR’S SNUB TO QUEENSLAND’S DEFENCE INDUSTRY

The Albanese Labor Government has snubbed Queensland’s defence industry in a blow to local Maryborough jobs and manufacturing.

Labor’s Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy announced yesterday at the National Press Club that Queensland, with its existing capability to produce 155mm M795 artillery, has been overlooked in favour of new investment, to manufacture the same artillery in Victoria.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien said the selection of a tenderer to produce 155mm M795 artillery in regional Victoria is a betrayal of Queensland given Maryborough has the facility, workforce, expertise and the capability and capacity to deliver the contract.

“The 155mm DM series is already being manufactured in Maryborough at Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions (RNM), so the announcement by the Albanese Labor Government to award a new taxpayer funded contract to establish a new forging facility in Victoria means that future opportunities for this industry’s growth in Queensland and in Maryborough will be reduced,” Mr O’Brien said.

The $90 million RNM projectile forging plant in Maryborough employs 100 people and was secured as an Australian defence industry first through a $28.5 million investment from the former Coalition Government.

“Queensland’s defence industry is perfectly capable of fulfilling the M795 variant.  Instead, the Albanese Government is set to spend millions on a new facility instead of investing in an existing operation.

“In typical Labor style, the Government has refused to release costings of its new venture and failed to explain its decision as to why it has moved against Queensland and against Maryborough.

“The Albanese Labor Government clearly does not support manufacturing or local defence industry jobs in Maryborough.”