THE HON ANDREW HASTIE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE INDUSTRY
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CANNING

STATEMENT
LABOR FAILS TO ADEQUATELY FUND HENDERSON PRECINCT

Wednesday 16 October 2024

The Coalition welcomes the decision to create a consolidated defence precinct at Henderson – something we have been calling for for some time.

However, the Albanese Government has shown no real commitment to making this a reality, allocating just $127 million to the project over three years – barely enough to get works underway.

The Albanese Government is already kicking these important works into the long grass, with ‘delivery of initiatives’ not set to commence for another nine months.

This is typical of Labor.

When it comes to defence, we must look at what the Albanese Government does, not what they say.

Until now, it has taken Labor more than two years to fully commit to building a Large Vessel Dry Dock in WA, something the former Coalition government committed $4.3 billion to in 2022.

Labor’s measly $127 million commitment to transforming Henderson is reflective of their lack of investment in the defence Budget which is barely keeping up with inflation under this government.

The Defence Minister, alongside his part-time Defence Industry Minister, likes to make big defence announcements. However, they are all feathers and no meat.

Labor consistently fails to match their announcements with adequate funding or planning.

Unfortunately, this announcement looks like just another empty Labor promise.

[ENDS]