Ipswich Mayor Andrew Antoniolli says new data showing there will be an additional 2800 jobs at Amberley by 2020 is welcome news on the back of recent job losses in Ipswich.
“This is great news for the City of Ipswich,” he said.
“More jobs for the region and, more importantly, jobs going into the future. Our Office of Economic Development has recognised the Defence sector as an emerging powerhouse in the region in terms of jobs.”
Cr Antoniolli said jobs would come to fruition over the next 5-10 years and boost the entire Ipswich community.
“There is a significant flow-on effect with Defence personnel and their families living and spending in Ipswich. This can only lead to more jobs and more prosperity for all of us,” he said.
“I am very encouraged to see support from the Federal and State Government in terms of Defence spending. We remain hopeful that this will continue, in particular by awarding the $5 billion contract to Rheinmetall in early 2018 so it can establish a military vehicle centre of excellence in Ipswich to build the nation’s newest fleet of armoured vehicles.”
Earlier Monday, the office of Christopher Pyne sent through the following statement:
A new report by KPMG shows Queensland businesses are on the cusp of an economic and jobs boom as a result of the investment that the federal Government is making in our future defence capabilities.
As a result of the Government’s commitment to RAAF Amberley the Queensland economy is expected to be more than $1.2 billion larger, with almost 2800 jobs being added to the economy before 2020.
Queensland’s Defence industry is the key sector benefitting from RAAF Base Amberley, with $522 million in value added to the industry this financial year projected to increase to more than $1 billion by 2019-20.
Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP said Amberley is a significant driver of Queensland’s economy, and spending by Defence and its Australian Defence Force and civilian employees provides substantial benefits to the Ipswich community and surrounding region.
“This is a great example of what happens when the Government puts its shoulder to the wheel, and leverages its defence spending to create Australian jobs and grow Australian industry,” Mr Pyne said.
“Recently we’ve made a number of announcements which have led to this boom in Queensland Defence industry. Companies like TAE, a company based in Amberley who will be maintaining the engines for Joint Strike Fighters from all over the world have been big beneficiaries of the Government’s commitment to Australian defence industry.” he said.
Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans Affairs the Hon Dan Tehan MP said bases like Amberley across the country provide a boost for local communities and create jobs outside the people directly employed by the base.
“The beneficiaries of the Amberley base are spread across the community and include the construction and business services sector, wholesale and retail trades, hotel, food and telecommunications industries and as members of the local community, Defence employees and their families also provide significant contributions to the education and retail sectors,“ Mr Tehan said.
The Economic Contribution of RAAF Base Amberley report will be available at: http://www.defence.gov.au/id/economic.asp
