The Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles had an opportunity to understand the scale of operations and to see for himself the skill and dedication of local defence members during a visit to Nowra last week.
Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips said, as the Home to HMAS Albatross, the Fleet Air Arm and HMAS Creswell, defence and the defence industry was an important industry and employer in the Gilmore electorate.
“With more than 7,500 serving Defence members, veterans and their families living here, defence is highly important to people on the South Coast,” Mrs Phillips said.
“A Navy and defence town through and through, I was keen for the minister, to meet and talk firsthand with the people and defence members that support our defence capability and community.”
During the tour on Thursday, November 14, the Acting Prime Minister visited defence members and staff at HMAS Albatross, including 723 Squadron which does initial helicopter training for both Navy and Army.
He met with avionics maintainers that maintain the MH60R Seahawk Romeo helicopters, and members of Special Operation Command’s Australian Defence Force Parachuting School explained how important ADF parachuting is for defence capability for the nation.
“We went to the Romeo squadrons and even hopped in a Seahawk Romeo simulator to witness first-hand the fine training our pilots undertake to be prepared for any situation,” Mrs Phillips said.
HMAS Albatross is currently receiving a $125 million airport and infrastructure upgrade. And soon there will be a further $140 million in infrastructure works to support new and additional Seahawk Romeo helicopters, which will include a new squadron, simulator and associated infrastructure.
“With HMAS Albatross expanding with more MH60R Seahawk Romeo helicopters, one of the things I am particularly interested in, is what we can do to help grow the workforce needed to sustain the new helicopters, squadron, simulator and facilities,” Mrs Phillips said.
“The future looks bright for Albatross and the opportunities are many in defence locally. I would encourage locals to consider a career in the defence force today.”
The Acting Prime Minister confirmed, during the visit that, while the previous ‘Chopper on a Stick’ could not be revived, there would be a new replacement helicopter coming soon.
“I have been advocating for a replacement chopper and we are working on finding one as soon as possible, because we know how important it is to show, at our gateway to Nowra, that we are a proud Navy and Defence town,” Mrs Phillips added.
During the tour, the Acting Prime Minister was thrilled to visit the children and Early Educators at One Tree Defence Child Care, Tingira, the recipient of a $148,958 grant under the federal Community Child Care Fund.
“Early learning is so important for our young ones and Tingira plays a vital role supporting defence families in the region,” Mrs Phillips said.
“With HMAS Albatross set to play an even bigger role with more MH60R Seahawk Romeo helicopters, expanded facilities and workforce, we need to make sure we’re doing everything possible to support educators and early learning places.
“It’s another reason we’re funding a payrise for Early Childhood Educators. We know we need more Early Childhood Educators and more places and the two go hand in hand.”
After visiting the youngsters, the tour paid a visit to the MCCI Shoalhaven Multicultural Hub’s Italian Seniors Group in Nowra where the Acting Prime Minister was treated to some opera singing.
“I just love supporting the Italian Seniors Group which is all about keeping connected, enjoying each other’s company and having fun. I think this visit is something Richard and the group will never forget,” Mrs Phillips said.
The Acting Prime Minister met with electrical and carpentry students at Nowra TAFE to see how the government’s fee-free TAFE is making a difference.
Mrs Phillips said it was great to see these classes booming and permanent free TAFE would help train more tradies to build more homes.
“We called in to talk with electrical and carpentry apprentices, and it was very reassuring to hear their stories about how and why they chose an apprenticeship and how fee-free TAFE is helping,” she said.
“There have been 4,400 Fee-Free TAFE places in Gilmore and the good news is we’re now making Fee-Free TAFE permanent with 100,000 free TAFE places each year from 2027.
“I am really pleased to see the TAFE Certificate II Aeroskills course is also fee-free encouraging more local people to seek a career as an Avionics Maintainer to support defence and defence industry jobs locally.
“We can be pretty darn proud that we are home to HMAS Albatross, the Fleet Air Arm and HMAS Creswell.
“From 723 Squadron - for both Navy and Army initial helicopter training, through to our training and operational Squadrons operating MH60R Seahawk Romeo helicopters, I’m so proud of our defence members who are highly skilled, highly trained and dedicated, and I was so proud for the Acting Prime Minister to meet them.”
Photos: Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips during last week’s visit.
Media contact: Katrina Condie 0437 662 967
