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 Australia’s future defence capabilities according to a new report by KPMG.
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 an 7000 more jobs by 2020.
Significantly, almost a third of these jobs are expected to be created between 2015-16 to 2019-20, with almost 2800 jobs being added to the economy over that time.
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