Media Statement - 26th October 2007
Bendigo’s proposed Australian Military Mobility Centre is a step closer thanks to Labor’s $150,000 commitment to fund its business case.
This exciting proposal could secure Bendigo’s position as a world class centre for military mobility research, design and manufacture.
Labor’s decision to provide $150,000 to fund the business case was announced today by the Shadow Minister for Trade and Regional Development, Simon Crean, and Member for Bendigo, Steve Gibbons.
The Australian Military Mobility Centre is a partnership between government, local industry and Latrobe University, and it builds on Bendigo’s strength in defence research and manufacturing.
Labor is committed to responding to local, innovative solutions to develop our regional communities.
‘Bendigo’s AMMC is such a solution’ Mr Crean said.
‘A meeting organised by Steve Gibbons with the proponents back in July in Bendigo convinced me of the great regional development and export potential of this project.
‘I want to congratulate Professor Findlay and his Steering Committee for their work in bringing the project to this stage’.
Mr Gibbons said the AMMC could be a significant contributor to the Bendigo economy.
‘It could help to secure jobs in the city’s defence manufacturing industry and enhance the region’s exports.’
‘The success of the locally designed and built Bushmaster armoured personnel carrier and Australian Defence Apparel’s body protection products are testament to Bendigo’s world class defence manufacturing capabilities.’
‘Add La Trobe University’s research capabilities and I’m sure Bendigo will soon have an internally recognised centre of excellence in military mobility.’
Mr Gibbons said today’s announcement demonstrated that a Rudd Labor Government is committed to economic development in the regions and increasing Australia’s export manufacturing capabilities.
BACKGROUND
The Australian Military Mobility Centre is a cooperative research facility involving state, federal and local government, the military, defence manufacturers and university-based research.It would coordinate research and manufacturing to meet the needs of the armed forces in the rapidly-changing field of military mobility.
Modern conflict environments require the ability to move our fighting men and women and their equipment in the safest and most efficient manner.
The AMMC has the potential is to become an internationally recognised centre of excellence in this field, creating valuable research and intellectual property for sale to defence manufacturers and defence forces all round the world.
This would bring enormous prestige and economic benefits to the Bendigo region as there is nothing like it anywhere else in Australia.
The concept was conceived entirely in Bendigo by those who make up the Steering Committee.