17 minute read
Defence and Marine
Defence and Marine MINISTERIAL BRIEFING NOTE
ORGANISATION
DELEGATION CONTACT
DELEGATES ATTENDING
DELEGATE ISSUES
WEBSITE LINKS
ATTACHMENTS Cairns TNQ Convoy to CapitalQ
Advance Cairns, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Cairns Chamber of Commerce are leading the region’s largest ever business delegation to Brisbane. The delegation includes more than 50 business leaders over a two-day period (February 18-19), representing 12 key business sectors to meet with State MPs and attend the Speaker’s Cocktail Reception.
Further information: Nick Trompf, Executive Chairman Advance Cairns E: nicktrompf@advancecairns.com | M: 0412 786 719
Defence and Marine:
Lieutenant General John Grey (Ret’d)
1. Lieutenant General John Grey AC (Ret’d), Advance Cairns Patron 2. Robert Downing, General Manager Tropical Reef Shipyard 3. Justin Parer, Managing Director BSE Maritime Solutions 4. Joann Pyne, Chief Academic Officer TAFE Queensland 5. Ben Renwick, General Manager Operations Norship
Attached are bios on each delegate.
Defence and Marine issues to discuss:
• Cairns Marine Precinct • Pacific Engagement Strategy
Attached are briefing papers on each issue.
• Attendee biographies • Briefing papers
Lieutenant General (Retired) John Grey AC is a Patron, Advance Cairns and has been a member of the Far North Queensland community since July 1995 following his retirement from the Australian Army.
From 1999-2016, he was Chancellor James Cook University, Chair Great Tropical Drive Tourism Project 2005-2007, Chair Wet Tropics Management Authority 2003- 2009, Director Advance Cairns Ltd 2001-2003, Chair Cape York Advisory Panel Natural Heritage Trust 2001-2002 , Leader Far North Sugar Task Force 2000-2003, Director Tarong Energy Corp Ltd 1997-1999, Member Australian War Memorial Council 1999-2005 and 1992-1995 and Special Consultant to the Chief Minister Northern Territory 1999-2001.
His military service included: Chief of the General Staff (now called Chief of Army) 1992-1995, Deputy Chief of the General Staff 1991-1992, Assistant Chief of the Australian Defence Force – Logistics 1989-1991.
John was awarded an AO in 1991 and promoted to AC in 1995.
Robert began his career as an apprentice fitter and turner with NQEA (formerly known as North Queensland Engineers and Agents), a major Queensland shipbuilder and manufacturing company.
While in their employment he gained exposure to all aspects of the company’s operations including ship repair, ship construction and hovercraft construction, as well as the sugar and mining industries. Robert remained at NQEA for 17 years and during this time he transitioned through various roles, his last role was Contracts Administrator.
Robert joined Tropical Reef Shipyard in 2000 as part of the project team for the Australian Navy Landing Craft Heavy LOTE contract. Since then he has held various management positions including Project Manager, Estimator, Dock Master, Operations Manager and his current position as General Manager, Director and Shareholder.
Robert has an Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Robert is responsible for the management and direction of the Company.
Justin Parer is the Managing Director of BSE Maritime Solutions. He joined Ernst and Young as an accountant after completing his commerce degree and spent some years in the profession including a posting to The Solomon Islands. In 1998 he had his first real involvement in the Maritime Industry by taking a role as Commercial Manager at the Cairncross Dockyard in Brisbane.
In 2000 he purchased the Brisbane Slipways business and was instrumental in the survival of the old NQEA site in Cairns, when BSE acquired it from administrators in 2012 . Further investment in the Cairns facility was made and the site is now the base for the largest mobile travel lifter in the world.
Justin holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Bond University, is a Chartered Accountant and is Alumni of Harvard University via their OPM course.
Justin has a passion for customer service and for trying to find better ways to do things. He believes in longer term relationships and in working with other industry players in building better products and services.
JOANN PYNE CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER TAFE QUEENSLAND
Joann Pyne is the Chief Academic Officer of TAFE Queensland. TAFE Queensland is the largest, most experienced training provider in the state, with more than 500 nationally-recognised qualifications to choose from across 50 locations across the state, and a variety of study modes available.
As the Chief Academic Officer, Joann leads the academic governance processes of TAFE Queensland and chairs the TAFE Queensland Academic Board. Prior to this role, Joann was the General Manager of TAFE Queensland North Region.
For the past two decades, Joann has been instrumental in developing a range of programs that have received awards and accolades for their innovative approach, unique and successful partnerships and their responsiveness to business, industry and community. She is passionate about TAFE being an active and high quality learning organisation that students, employers, industry and employees are proud to be associated with.
Prior to joining the TAFE Queensland team, Joann worked in a variety of roles in both local and federal governments.
BEN REN WICK GENERAL MANAGER OPERATIONS NORSHIP
Ben Renwick is a proud Queenslander, born in Cairns. After a distinguished career in the Navy Ben returned to Queensland with his family where he has worked extensively in the Defence and Ship Repair and Maintenance sectors across a range of senior roles.
T oday, as the General Manager Operations for Norship, he continues to lead the successful operational transformation of an Australian Business which is now active in the provision of all aspects of ‘Through Life Asset Management Services’ in the Australasian / Asia Pacific region.
Norship is a top 10 Defence SME which delivers extensive Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering and Marine services and Norship operates amongst other things, Australia’s pre-eminent Patrol Boat Shipyard in Cairns.
COUNCIL: CAIRNS STATE ELECTORATE: CAIRNS FEDERAL ELECTORATES: LEICHHARDT INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT
CAIRNS MARINE PRECINCT
BRIEFING NOTE SUMMARY
• The Cairns Marine Precinct is a national defence asset that employs 4600 people.
• A State policy commitment is sought to position and formally recognise Cairns as a Regional Maintenance Centre for the Royal Australian Navy.
• A State Government commitment is sought to secure from the Federal Government the long term, continuous maintenance and sustainment programs for at least four Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) and preferably six OPVs in Cairns.
• The Queensland Government, through the Ports North master planning process, must deliver a strategic roadmap for Cairns that caters for the long-term needs of Defence and industry.
• Investment complements the Queensland Superyacht Strategy 2018-2023 and the growing Defence requirements of Australia’s Step-up to the Pacific initiatives.
“ Cairns is a really strategic port for us… there’s a lot of consideration for major infrastructure in the port.” Rear Admiral Wendy Malcolm, Head of Maritime Systems, Capability Acquisition and Sustainment group (CASG), Pacific2019
THE ISSUE The Cairns Port is a critical enabler of the Tropical North Queensland (TNQ) economy, with the region welcoming the Federal Government’s commitment to base at least four new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) in Cairns over the next decade. The sustainment and maintenance of vessels in northern Australia aligns well with existing shipbuilding commitments in southern Australia, and complements the strategic objectives of Australia’s Step-Up to the Pacific foreign policy initiatives. As one of three Regional Maintenance Centres for the Royal Australian Navy, the others being Darwin and Perth, Cairns provides a national naval sustainment and maintenance hub enabling the Cairns Marine Precinct to build on its present commitments of servicing vessels from HMAS Cairns, Darwin, the United States and the Pacific Islands. The significant Defence and Border Force contracts managed out of the precinct ensure a skilled, permanent marine and engineering workforce of 4600 people is retained yearround. The economic significance of the precinct is reflected in the shipbuilding and repairs sector specialisation ratio of 24.24 (Cairns LGA). In addition to servicing Australia’s Defence fleet, Cairns is home to a large and diverse marine sector with 1603 commercial vessels registered across tourism, fishing and shipping, and an active cruising yacht squadron. The precinct also plays host to superyachts and cruise liners visiting the Pacific. To retain its vital workforce and meet the needs of this growing sector, Cairns requires additional marine maintenance and sustainment capability. This will enable the precinct to continue to service Defence, Border Force and industry needs while providing growth, jobs and a secure future for TNQ families. Under an existing $24 million Federal Government commitment, Stage 1 of a Cairns Marine Maintenance Precinct upgrade has delivered wharves, hardstands, slipway extension and service upgrades. A commitment of $125 million is now sought for Stages 2 and 3, which will lead to significant increases in precinct capacity and complement the Department of Defence $420 million commitment to expand the HMAS Cairns naval base. Stages 2 and 3 will also complement and support the Queensland Superyacht Strategy 2018-2023 and the Ports North Master Planning process. Stage 2 requires $25 million, with $24 million to be shared across each of the three slipways in 2020 and $1 million to be invested in developing a precinct-wide business case. Stage 3 requires $100 million to support delivery of the recommended actions.
It has been calculated that for every dollar spent on Defence in Cairns, the multiplier effect equates to over $5 in other sectors of the economy. A Defence investment of $420 million will therefore have an impact of $2 billion on the TNQ economy.
BACKGROUND The Cairns Marine Precinct has serviced the Defence, Border Force and marine industries for many years and as home to Fleet Base Pacific (HMAS Cairns), is one of the few ports in Australia that can offer the Department of Defence significant expansion opportunities in berth and land facilities. The Queensland Government’s ongoing support and facilitation of the Federal expansion of HMAS Cairns and support to Pacific nations vessels contributes significantly to the diversification and enhancement of the TNQ economy. Under the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act (2018) the Cairns port is a critical national infrastructure asset. It is the northern-most naval base on the eastern seaboard and plays a key strategic role in Australia’s northern naval capability. In acknowledging this role, in 2017- 2018 the Federal Government committed to upgrading the precinct through staged investment. HMAS Cairns currently employs about 900 Navy and civilian personnel, and provides administrative, logistic and maintenance support to nine homeported vessels, consisting of one Armidale Class patrol boat, two Cape Class patrol boats, two Leeuwin Class hydrographic survey ships and four Paluma Class survey motor launches. Cairns also provides support for Pacific Class patrol boats operated by neighbouring Pacific nations.
NEXT STEPS Timely completion of the Ports North master plan is a critical enabler in delivering opportunities and confidence to stakeholders, enabling private investment. Queensland Government investment in the Cairns Port should be directed towards ensuring there is productivity enhancing and security enabled infrastructure. In addition, HMAS Cairns and the three shipyards need the option to develop their leased properties through opportunities created by the Ports North master plan that: • Facilitate a contiguous marine precinct, creating controlled access to Defence related facilities by the public but appropriate ready access to Navy and shipyards for SMEs. • Provide for commercial export wharfage, handling and storage needs to be separated from the ‘secure’ areas with good road corridors and limited public access to unlock the ‘food bowl’ potential of TNQ. • Enable specialist prestige Super Yacht infrastructure of competitive ‘world standard’ to be further developed. • Enable further development of the cruise ship and tourism wharfage and terminals. • Provide important tidal inundation mitigation strategies for the Marine Precinct. • Relocate the trawler base, private yacht facilities, and public boat ramp to achieve separation from the naval base, the three slipways, and export wharfage areas.
RECOMMENDED INVESTMENT
OUR RECOMMENDATION
• That the Queensland Government adopts and promotes a policy position strongly supporting Cairns as a Regional Maintenance Centre for the Royal Australian Navy.
• That through the Ports North Master Planning process, the Queensland Government delivers timely completion of a strategic roadmap for Cairns that caters for the long-term needs of Defence and industry.
• That the Queensland Government support and facilitate the Federal expansion of HMAS Cairns, ensuring the Department of Defence delivers on the initial $300 million upgrade of the navy base by 2025.
• That to further develop the Cairns Marine Precinct, the Queensland and Federal Governments commit $125 million for stages 2 and 3 of the precinct, delivering a strategic national Defence asset that meets the security needs of Australia in the Pacific region.
• That the Queensland Government work with the Federal Government to secure the long term, continuous maintenance and sustainment industry for Defence and Border Force vessels in Cairns, and support the home porting of at least four, and preferably six, Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), including associated sustainment and maintenance work.
Estimated project cost $545m
State Stage 2 and 3 Investments Defence Investment 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025 2025-2026
COUNCIL: CAIRNS STATE ELECTORATE: CAIRNS FEDERAL ELECTORATES: LEICHHARDT INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT
BRIEFING NOTE SUMMARY
• Cairns is the ideal strategic hub for the implementation of Australia’s Pacific Engagement Strategy
• The Cairns port is a critical national infrastructure asset with established shipping links to the nations of the Pacific.
• Cairns has the structures and relationships in place to support the establishment of a Federal Office of the Pacific to administer the Pacific Engagement Program from northern Australia.
• State Government support is sought to facilitate the establishment of an Office of the Pacific in Cairns to cement Queensland’s role in delivering the national Pacific Step-Up agenda.
THE ISSUE While the newly formed Federal Government Office of the Pacific has been tasked with overseeing Australia’s Pacific Engagement Strategy, Cairns already has strong established networks and links with Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the nations of the Pacific. Together with expertise in working with dispersed populations and tropical climates, Cairns is ideally placed to provide meaningful and informed stimulus to Australia’s Pacific engagement strategies. The Cairns Marine Precinct houses HMAS Cairns which is the northern-most naval base on Australia’s east coast. It is also the only naval base in Queensland and one of only five naval bases in Australia. Providing ready, direct access to PNG and the Pacific nations via sea, Cairns is the ideal base for Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) and Border Force vessels. Anchored by three main slipways, the marine precinct is supported by a number of contractors and SMEs that are experienced in undertaking sustainment and maintenance of the range of vessels in use.
BACKGROUND The Cairns Marine Precinct has the capacity to meet future sustainment and maintenance requirements for the Pacific region and to become a Regional Maintenance Centre for the Royal Australian Navy. Geo-political tensions in the region have led to a bi-lateral agreement between the United States and Australia to reinstate the Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island, PNG. HMAS Cairns and the marine precinct provide the closest naval support and Australian Regional Maintenance Centre for the Lombrum naval base, with air and sea transport routes that pass only through international, Australian and PNG airspace or territorial waters. The combination of the Cairns port and Cairns International airport enables direct access to PNG and South Pacific nations by and through Australia. Cairns is already home to many of Australia’s Pacific Engagement initiatives covering security; economic development; infrastructure financing; and foreign affairs and trade. Basing an Office of the Pacific in Cairns will enable Australia to quickly build stronger relationships
“ We see it as a strategic port, as a port of national significance…its link between here and the Pacific is a key part of why we believe that is so strategic... Cairns is very important to our engagement with the Pacific.” Prime Minister Scott Morrison, 22 January 2019
with our Pacific neighbours, providing a more coordinated strategic approach and providing the Commonwealth with better value for existing budgeted measures. For example: TRADE: The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade is inquiring currently into activating greater trade and investment with Pacific Island countries. The PACER Plus free trade agreement has been established with 14 signatory countries, including Australia, collectively focussed on facilitating trade to strengthen the global position of the Pacific. EDUCATION: Strong alignment exists between Cairns’ tertiary institutions and the Australian Pacific Training Coalition, with structures already in place to administer the new Australia-University of the South Pacific partnership worth $84m over six years (2019-24). University research projects already exist and there is scope for further engagement. In addition, t he Great Barrier Reef International Marine College is co-located with the Marine Precinct and provides the opportunity to contribute to the development of the South Pacific nations fisheries control and security through the training of crew members. Training can take place while vessels undertake sustainment and maintenance, or personnel can fly into Cairns specifically for training. GOVERNMENT AND TRADE: Cairns is home to the Exchange Innovation and Information Centre (EiiC) which works in partnership with the PNG Government to promote business and educational links between Cairns, PNG and the Pacific. The EiiC is unique within Australia and houses the offices of Tradelinked Cairns PNG Pacific, and of PNG National and Provincial agencies. Opportunities exist for outreach development in communications; tourism, agriculture and fisheries. HEALTH: Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Services in partnership with James Cook University (JCU) is established as a world leader in tropical health diseases, knowledge that that is vital
to our neighbours. JCU has already established tropical health and medicine research relationships with the University of South Pacific and Fiji National University. SPORT AND CULTURE: Through sport and family links, TNQ’s population has an important understanding of the cultural and heritage issues relevant to the nations of the Pacific, supporting the prominence and acceptance of Cairns as a destination and strategic base for the region. Cairns is the ideal base for elite athlete training camps associated with the Australia-Pacific Sports Linkages program, has strong links established through the Pacific Games, and provides the perfect base for hosting future Pacific Games.
NEXT STEPS The establishment of a Federal Office of the Pacific in Cairns would enable its staff to draw directly on the expertise, existing knowledge and links that the Cairns public and private sectors have with the South Pacific nations. Being based in a wet tropics city, which leads to an expertise of life in the tropics, would enable the Office of the Pacific to better understand the issues faced by the peoples of the Pacific and how to promote the regions development. Direct air and sea access to PNG and the Pacific nations would be easier and quicker from Cairns than Canberra, promoting closer contacts and better understanding of issues and developments. Access by Pacific nations officials and business leaders to the Office would also likely to be more readily accepted. Queensland Government support is therefore sought to aid and facilitate discussions with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to secure an Office of the Pacific in Cairns.
OUR RECOMMENDATION
• That the Queensland Government commit to supporting and facilitating Cairns’ proposal to establish an Office of the Pacific in Cairns to drive the implementation of Australia’s Pacific Engagement Strategy from northern Australia.
• That the Queensland Government commit t o formally designating Cairns as Queensland’s northern hub for delivering the national Step-Up to the Pacific program.
THE HOLLAND AMERICA CRUISE LINER ‘MS AMSTERDAM’ BERTHED AT TRINITY WHARF WITH A US NAVAL VESSEL IN THE BACKGROUND PHOTO CREDIT: PORTS NORTH
