An LNP Government will partner with Rheinmetall Defence Australia to build a new technology precinct at Redbank that will create 850 new jobs for Queenslanders.
Ms Frecklington announced the job-boosting project at the company’s Redbank base today alongside Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Construction of the precinct – which will include a $25m training academy and research centre – will begin by the end of this year if the LNP wins the October 31 state election.
The precinct will create 350 construction jobs and 500 permanent jobs once operational.
“This project will build on the $5.2 billion deal between the Morrison Federal Government and Rheinmetall that is already bringing highly-skilled and secure manufacturing jobs to Brisbane and Ipswich,” Ms Frecklington said.
“The LNP’s partnership with Rheinmetall will support new defence technologies, create new advanced manufacturing jobs and train more apprentices.
“An LNP Government will deliver real training for real-world jobs.
“A trade qualification that can be used in defence industries is a secure job for a career.
“This is about securing a real economic future for Queensland.
“If the LNP wins on October 31, there will be shovels in the ground here by December 31.
“Only the LNP has a plan to create 100,000 new jobs and lead Queensland out of recession.”
The $135m Land Systems Technology Precinct (LTSP) would be built by an LNP Government and leased back by Rheinmetall.
Rheinmetall will manage the precinct and the company has already attracted significant interest from other collaborators including the Australian Army, QUT, the CSIRO and other Queensland companies.
The precinct will focus on the research and development of new products for the Australian Army and international customers, including autonomous vehicles and 3D-printed military equipment.
As part of its agreement with a future LNP Government, Rheinmetall Defence will also invest $25 million to establish an academy to train new apprentices for the defence industry and an integrated research and product development centre.
“An LNP Government will invest for growth and supercharge Queensland’s manufacturing sector,” LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said.
“As well as this co-investment, the LNP will support Rheinmetall by ruling out any new taxes.
“Only the LNP has a plan to stimulate the economy, create a decade of secure jobs and lead Queensland out of recession.”
LNP Candidate for Bundamba Rob Shearman, who served in the Australian Army for 23 years, said the training academy would help skill young people in the electorate.
“The number of people completing apprenticeships and traineeships has collapsed by a third under the Palaszczuk Labor Government,” Mr Shearman said.
“Labor is denying a future to 70,000 unemployed young Queenslanders because they don’t have an economic plan.
“Only the LNP will deliver real training for real jobs and lead Queensland out of recession.”
The new project will ensure that more than 1,000 defence jobs are located at Rheinmetall’s Redbank base.
