DEFENCE FORCE POSTURE
REVIEW — STATE GOVERNMENT INPUT
612. Hon TJORN SIBMA to the minister representing the
Minister for Defence Industry:
I note the commonwealth government's
decision to conduct a Defence Force posture review and the minister's
recent remarks concerning the strategic vulnerability of Western Australia,
with which I mainly agree.
(1) Will the state government
formally participate in the review and how will this be done?
(2) Which agency
or agencies will be responsible for providing input into this review and which
minister will bear responsibility for coordinating this work?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following information has been provided to me
by the Minister for Defence Industry.
(1) The McGowan
government supports a strong defence presence in Western Australia and will
work collaboratively with the commonwealth government's defence
strategic review, which incorporates the force posture review and force
structure review.
(2) The
Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation will coordinate the state's
involvement with the defence strategic review in collaboration with other key
agencies, including the Department of the Premier and Cabinet; the Department
of Planning, Lands and Heritage; the Department of Training and Workforce
Development; Development WA; and the Western Australia Police Force. Hon Paul
Papalia, CSC, MLA, Minister for Defence Industry; Veterans Issues will be the
responsible minister.