Confirmation of Melbourne as the State Government’s proposed home for a $5 billion army project has ignited a war of words in Geelong.
The government this week identified Fisherman’s Bend as the host of Land 400 if Victoria beat South Australia’s bid for the contract to build combat vehicles.
The Turnbull Government effectively rubbed Geelong out of the running in July when it cut the locally based Team Sentinel from a shortlist of bidders.
Reports last year suggested city leaders might try to lure one of the remaining bidders to Geelong but the Andrews Government confirmed on Wednesday that any Victorian work would be in Melbourne.
“This is frankly a disgrace”, said Federal Liberal MP Sarah Henderson, who lobbied on Geelong’s behalf.
“Prior to the 2014 election, Premier Andrews promised that Geelong would be the preferred home of Land 400. This represents a rolled-gold broken election commitment.
“Daniel Andrews and (Industry Minister) Wade Noonan need to explain why they did nothing to convince these defence companies to set up operations in Geelong.”
Mr Noonan accused Ms Henderson of “confusing matters” when she publicly urged the government to locate Victoria’s bid in Geelong despite the Team Sentinel failure.
He urged her to work with the State on securing the contract for Victoria.
Supply-chain companies in Geelong would “share the benefits” if Victoria won, Mr Noonan said.
Labor’s Federal Corio MP Richard Marles said Ms Henderson was trying to shift blame for her party scotching Geelong’s bid.
“Last time I checked Sarah Henderson was a member of the government making this decision. She should start delivering by advocating inside her own party instead of passing the buck to the State Government.”
