Hunter not a new contributor to national defence industry

The Advertiser

9 hours ago

Australia faces the most complex strategic circumstances since the end of World War II.
That's why it is more important than ever before that we have the right military capabilities. It is essential for deterrence, and it's essential for our national security.
The Albanese government has increased defence funding to record levels, and that includes record levels towards acquiring new capabilities for the ADF. This is the biggest peacetime increase in defence spending in Australia's history.
In the lead up to the election, even the Greens recognised the importance of defence capability, when they announced a formally costed policy to fund new military programs to make weapons, including missiles, locally. Right here in Australia.
We welcome the Greens' support for the government's plans to increase local defence manufacturing as part of creating a future made in Australia.
It creates jobs, supports local economies and builds the skills we need to strengthen our sovereign defence industrial base.
That's why we have funded the factory at Astra Aerolab in the region, which is expected to generate more than 500 jobs in the construction phase and almost $100 million in economic benefits for our local area.
Construction of this factory represents a leap forward for Australia's defence industry that highlights the government's commitment to a future made in Australia.
If the Greens stand by their defence policy, they should be getting behind this initiative and backing local manufacturing and the creation of highly skilled, well-paid local jobs. The Hunter has been a significant contributor to our sovereign defence industrial base for decades, and defence supports the jobs of more than 10,000 people in the region.
The region is home to a number of dynamic small to medium enterprises that deliver critical components and services to the Australian Defence Force. It's connected to the nation through the east-coast transport corridor, and connected to the world by the Port of Newcastle. With a world-class university, a skilled workforce and an amazing lifestyle, the Hunter Valley's future is brighter than ever before, especially for those in the defence industry.
The Hunter is home to an outstanding group of businesses ranging from the largest defence companies to the smallest local suppliers, which support crucial capabilities including the E-7 Wedgetail, the Hawk 127 Lead-in Fighter and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
While the Hunter region is rightly proud of the deep expertise of the local aerospace industry, it is far from the only defence industry to be found here. Cardiff company Nupress is already partnering with Kongsberg to make mechanical components for the Naval Strike Missile.
In the Hunter, Van Munster Boats produces the Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessel. Bluebottles use solar, wind, and wave energy to ensure persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance above and below the water. They are already being used by the navy, the Australian Border Force, and Australian Maritime Parks.
There have been defence businesses in the airport precinct for many years because it's well located, close to one of our most important air force bases (RAAF Williamtown), meaning it's secure and can be protected. The point is that the establishment of the Kongsberg factory near Newcastle airport is nothing new.
It's also important to note that no explosive material will be stored or produced on site. The Greens know this. The missiles will be produced for Australian purposes. The Greens' claim that they will be exported to Israel is a flat-out lie. The Greens know this. Australia has not exported weapons to Israel since the Gaza conflict began, and for at least the past five years.
We all want to raise our children in a stable, peaceful, and prosperous environment. If we believe in defending the country, we need to equip our defence force to do so.
We welcome a sensible, level-headed conversation about defence industry, national security and local jobs, but we could do without the scare-mongering and fallacies offered by the opportunistic and misleading Greens party.
Australia faces the most complex strategic circumstances since the end of World War II.
That's why it is more important than ever before that we have the right military capabilities. It is essential for deterrence, and it's essential for our national security.
The Albanese government has increased defence funding to record levels, and that includes record levels towards acquiring new capabilities for the ADF. This is the biggest peacetime increase in defence spending in Australia's history.
In the lead up to the election, even the Greens recognised the importance of defence capability, when they announced a formally costed policy to fund new military programs to make weapons, including missiles, locally. Right here in Australia.
We welcome the Greens' support for the government's plans to increase local defence manufacturing as part of creating a future made in Australia.
It creates jobs, supports local economies and builds the skills we need to strengthen our sovereign defence industrial base.
That's why we have funded the factory at Astra Aerolab in the region, which is expected to generate more than 500 jobs in the construction phase and almost $100 million in economic benefits for our local area.
Construction of this factory represents a leap forward for Australia's defence industry that highlights the government's commitment to a future made in Australia.
If the Greens stand by their defence policy, they should be getting behind this initiative and backing local manufacturing and the creation of highly skilled, well-paid local jobs. The Hunter has been a significant contributor to our sovereign defence industrial base for decades, and defence supports the jobs of more than 10,000 people in the region.
The region is home to a number of dynamic small to medium enterprises that deliver critical components and services to the Australian Defence Force. It's connected to the nation through the east-coast transport corridor, and connected to the world by the Port of Newcastle. With a world-class university, a skilled workforce and an amazing lifestyle, the Hunter Valley's future is brighter than ever before, especially for those in the defence industry.
The Hunter is home to an outstanding group of businesses ranging from the largest defence companies to the smallest local suppliers, which support crucial capabilities including the E-7 Wedgetail, the Hawk 127 Lead-in Fighter and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
While the Hunter region is rightly proud of the deep expertise of the local aerospace industry, it is far from the only defence industry to be found here. Cardiff company Nupress is already partnering with Kongsberg to make mechanical components for the Naval Strike Missile.
In the Hunter, Van Munster Boats produces the Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessel. Bluebottles use solar, wind, and wave energy to ensure persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance above and below the water. They are already being used by the navy, the Australian Border Force, and Australian Maritime Parks.
There have been defence businesses in the airport precinct for many years because it's well located, close to one of our most important air force bases (RAAF Williamtown), meaning it's secure and can be protected. The point is that the establishment of the Kongsberg factory near Newcastle airport is nothing new.
It's also important to note that no explosive material will be stored or produced on site. The Greens know this. The missiles will be produced for Australian purposes. The Greens' claim that they will be exported to Israel is a flat-out lie. The Greens know this. Australia has not exported weapons to Israel since the Gaza conflict began, and for at least the past five years.
We all want to raise our children in a stable, peaceful, and prosperous environment. If we believe in defending the country, we need to equip our defence force to do so.
We welcome a sensible, level-headed conversation about defence industry, national security and local jobs, but we could do without the scare-mongering and fallacies offered by the opportunistic and misleading Greens party.
Australia faces the most complex strategic circumstances since the end of World War II.
That's why it is more important than ever before that we have the right military capabilities. It is essential for deterrence, and it's essential for our national security.
The Albanese government has increased defence funding to record levels, and that includes record levels towards acquiring new capabilities for the ADF. This is the biggest peacetime increase in defence spending in Australia's history.
In the lead up to the election, even the Greens recognised the importance of defence capability, when they announced a formally costed policy to fund new military programs to make weapons, including missiles, locally. Right here in Australia.
We welcome the Greens' support for the government's plans to increase local defence manufacturing as part of creating a future made in Australia.
It creates jobs, supports local economies and builds the skills we need to strengthen our sovereign defence industrial base.
That's why we have funded the factory at Astra Aerolab in the region, which is expected to generate more than 500 jobs in the construction phase and almost $100 million in economic benefits for our local area.
Construction of this factory represents a leap forward for Australia's defence industry that highlights the government's commitment to a future made in Australia.
If the Greens stand by their defence policy, they should be getting behind this initiative and backing local manufacturing and the creation of highly skilled, well-paid local jobs. The Hunter has been a significant contributor to our sovereign defence industrial base for decades, and defence supports the jobs of more than 10,000 people in the region.
The region is home to a number of dynamic small to medium enterprises that deliver critical components and services to the Australian Defence Force. It's connected to the nation through the east-coast transport corridor, and connected to the world by the Port of Newcastle. With a world-class university, a skilled workforce and an amazing lifestyle, the Hunter Valley's future is brighter than ever before, especially for those in the defence industry.
The Hunter is home to an outstanding group of businesses ranging from the largest defence companies to the smallest local suppliers, which support crucial capabilities including the E-7 Wedgetail, the Hawk 127 Lead-in Fighter and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
While the Hunter region is rightly proud of the deep expertise of the local aerospace industry, it is far from the only defence industry to be found here. Cardiff company Nupress is already partnering with Kongsberg to make mechanical components for the Naval Strike Missile.
In the Hunter, Van Munster Boats produces the Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessel. Bluebottles use solar, wind, and wave energy to ensure persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance above and below the water. They are already being used by the navy, the Australian Border Force, and Australian Maritime Parks.
There have been defence businesses in the airport precinct for many years because it's well located, close to one of our most important air force bases (RAAF Williamtown), meaning it's secure and can be protected. The point is that the establishment of the Kongsberg factory near Newcastle airport is nothing new.
It's also important to note that no explosive material will be stored or produced on site. The Greens know this. The missiles will be produced for Australian purposes. The Greens' claim that they will be exported to Israel is a flat-out lie. The Greens know this. Australia has not exported weapons to Israel since the Gaza conflict began, and for at least the past five years.
We all want to raise our children in a stable, peaceful, and prosperous environment. If we believe in defending the country, we need to equip our defence force to do so.
We welcome a sensible, level-headed conversation about defence industry, national security and local jobs, but we could do without the scare-mongering and fallacies offered by the opportunistic and misleading Greens party.
Australia faces the most complex strategic circumstances since the end of World War II.
That's why it is more important than ever before that we have the right military capabilities. It is essential for deterrence, and it's essential for our national security.
The Albanese government has increased defence funding to record levels, and that includes record levels towards acquiring new capabilities for the ADF. This is the biggest peacetime increase in defence spending in Australia's history.
In the lead up to the election, even the Greens recognised the importance of defence capability, when they announced a formally costed policy to fund new military programs to make weapons, including missiles, locally. Right here in Australia.
We welcome the Greens' support for the government's plans to increase local defence manufacturing as part of creating a future made in Australia.
It creates jobs, supports local economies and builds the skills we need to strengthen our sovereign defence industrial base.
That's why we have funded the factory at Astra Aerolab in the region, which is expected to generate more than 500 jobs in the construction phase and almost $100 million in economic benefits for our local area.
Construction of this factory represents a leap forward for Australia's defence industry that highlights the government's commitment to a future made in Australia.
If the Greens stand by their defence policy, they should be getting behind this initiative and backing local manufacturing and the creation of highly skilled, well-paid local jobs. The Hunter has been a significant contributor to our sovereign defence industrial base for decades, and defence supports the jobs of more than 10,000 people in the region.
The region is home to a number of dynamic small to medium enterprises that deliver critical components and services to the Australian Defence Force. It's connected to the nation through the east-coast transport corridor, and connected to the world by the Port of Newcastle. With a world-class university, a skilled workforce and an amazing lifestyle, the Hunter Valley's future is brighter than ever before, especially for those in the defence industry.
The Hunter is home to an outstanding group of businesses ranging from the largest defence companies to the smallest local suppliers, which support crucial capabilities including the E-7 Wedgetail, the Hawk 127 Lead-in Fighter and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
While the Hunter region is rightly proud of the deep expertise of the local aerospace industry, it is far from the only defence industry to be found here. Cardiff company Nupress is already partnering with Kongsberg to make mechanical components for the Naval Strike Missile.
In the Hunter, Van Munster Boats produces the Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessel. Bluebottles use solar, wind, and wave energy to ensure persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance above and below the water. They are already being used by the navy, the Australian Border Force, and Australian Maritime Parks.
There have been defence businesses in the airport precinct for many years because it's well located, close to one of our most important air force bases (RAAF Williamtown), meaning it's secure and can be protected. The point is that the establishment of the Kongsberg factory near Newcastle airport is nothing new.
It's also important to note that no explosive material will be stored or produced on site. The Greens know this. The missiles will be produced for Australian purposes. The Greens' claim that they will be exported to Israel is a flat-out lie. The Greens know this. Australia has not exported weapons to Israel since the Gaza conflict began, and for at least the past five years.
We all want to raise our children in a stable, peaceful, and prosperous environment. If we believe in defending the country, we need to equip our defence force to do so.
We welcome a sensible, level-headed conversation about defence industry, national security and local jobs, but we could do without the scare-mongering and fallacies offered by the opportunistic and misleading Greens party.