Federal Member for Bass, Ross Hart today welcomed Defence Minister Marise Payne’s announcement that the Federal Government will be contributing $250,000 to a joint $500,000 project with the State Government and University of Tasmania, to support the development of a business case for a Defence Innovation and Design Precinct.
Mr Hart said, “I have been on the record for nearly a year as to this issue and spoke as recently as last week in Parliament under a bipartisan motion calling on the government to see more defence funding flowing to Tasmania, particularly in relation to the AMC, our premier maritime facility and the future of the Newnham Campus at UTAS.
“Last week Member for Braddon, Justine Keay moved a Bipartisan Private Members Motion that I seconded, calling for support for this move.
“It absolutely makes sense to utilise the facilities at Newnham campus, particularly as it is so close to the AMC, as the basis for a manufacturing hub.
“In my speech last week I made particular reference to the work being undertaken at the AMC’s world leading cavitation testing facility, for not only Australia’s defence projects, but also for, amongst others the US Navy.
“The advanced manufacturing that will be taking place with relation to the Defence Industry, including engineering and architecture could not be better placed than Launceston with its access to Australia’s fastest internet speeds.
“My only concern is that the Government has still not announced AMC as the lead institution for its Maritime Technical College in South Australia, it does not make sense to delay this decision any longer, particularly with this announcement for Newnham campus today,” Mr Hart said.
ROSS HART MP MEMBER FOR BASS
