Where Peter Stands - Defence & National Security

Defence personnel and their families are an integral part of our community. The strong military presence in Townsville includes a wide range of Australian Defence Force units at Lavarack Barrack, RAAF Townsville and Ross Island. The current military population of our city is made up of thousands of ADF members, Defence civilians and ADF cadets.

Under the previous Howard Government a decision was taken to relocate 3RAR to Townsville by 2011. This decision will bring an extra 800 troops and their families to our city. An additional light infantry battalion will help to make the Army’s deployments more sustainable and greatly improve Australia’s capacity to meet global security challenges.

Over the past decade capital spending, such as $207 million Stage 4 Redevelopment of Lavarack Barracks and 250 new DHA homes have been key drivers of our local economy. In these tougher economic times it is vital that Defence remains a high priority for the Rudd Labor Government to ensure Australia’s defence capability does not deteriorate.