By Luke Voogt
The Trump presidency could boost Geelong’s defence industry, according to Corio MP Richard Marles.
The shadow defence minister’s comments followed President-elect Donald Trump’s commitment to a massive expansion of the US military.
“There is the possibility to benefit from a growing export market in US,” Mr Marles said.
“It’s incumbent on the (federal) government to work with Geelong companies to help develop their export potential.”
Mr Marles cited Lara-based Chemring and Marand, which has a site at Geelong’s former Ford manufacturing plant, as two local companies that could benefit.
Chemring manufactures anti-missile flares, designed for the US-built Joint Strike Fighter, while Marand engineers items with military applications.
“They’re great examples of Geelong businesses competing on the global space,” Mr Marles said.
“These are examples of how quite-niche players can have export opportunities around defence industries.”
In a Canberra speech this week, Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said Mr Trump’s planned expansion would create “remarkable opportunities” for Australia’s defence industry.
“Australia is well-positioned to grasp those opportunities,” Mr Pyne told the Submarine Institute of Australia.
The US hopes came as Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson promoted a recent Geelong workshop on opportunities to supply an Australian LAND 400 project to build military vehicles.
“This was a great chance for suppliers across the Geelong region to get a slice of the action,” she said.
The Department of Defence recently announced that BAE Systems and Rheinmetall had been shortlisted to participate in the next stage of the $20 billion project.
“I reiterate my call on the Victorian Government to re-double its efforts to ensure Rheinmetall and BAE Systems establish local operations here,” Ms Henderson said.
But Mr Marles said LAND 400 was “another example where the member for Corangamite has over-promised but not delivered”.
“Sarah Henderson has talked a very big game but there is very little to show for it. Empty press releases are only good for false hope and that helps no one.”
