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62 <strong>SENATE</strong> Thursday, 13 October 2016 Australia-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Senator IAN MACDONALD (Queensland) (14:35): In directing my question to the Minister for Defence, Senator Payne, can I congratulate her on this morning's signing of the memorandum of understanding with the Singapore government. Minister, could you indicate to the Senate how the signing of this morning's defence memorandum of understanding in support of the comprehensive strategic partnership further strengthens the wonderful cooperation between Australia and Singapore? Senator PAYNE (New South Wales—Minister for Defence) (14:36): I particularly thank Senator Macdonald for his interest in this very important issue, not just for our defence relationship with Singapore but also for his area of northern Queensland. I was very pleased just this morning to sign a memorandum of understanding concerning military training and training area development in Australia with my Singaporean counterpart, Dr Ng. It is a major step forward following the Turnbull government's announcement in May that Australia and Singapore would jointly develop military training areas and facilities in Australia, enhancing Singapore's training opportunities. It is in direct alignment with the 2016 white paper to increase Defence's international engagement to further develop our international partnerships with our allies and our partners. The signing of the memorandum of understanding affirms the commitment from the governments of both Australia and Singapore to take the next steps to implement this historic agreement. The MOU provides an assurance of enhancing our bilateral defence relationship and committing to these investments in North Queensland. It represents a 25-year commitment to increasing training area access and investment by the Singaporean government to upgrading military training areas. This MOU will bring us closer as defence partners. It will generate significant local economic activity over the next 25 years. It will, importantly, complement our very close existing defence relationship with Singapore based on a long history of engagement, practical cooperation, education and training. We will, of course, continue to hold our shared interests in regional stability and security—many of the issues to which Prime Minister Lee referred in his remarks to the joint sitting of the houses yesterday. Specifically, the memorandum of understanding cements our agreement to grant Singapore enhanced access for unilateral land training from the current six weeks per year to 18 weeks per year, and from the current 6,600 troops per year to 14,000 troops per year. (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Macdonald, a supplementary question. Senator IAN MACDONALD (Queensland) (14:38): I thank the minister for her answer, particularly for the mention of North Queensland. Could the minister tell the Senate about the long-term benefits to Townsville and Rockhampton—two major cities in the north—that will flow from the defence MOU? Senator PAYNE (New South Wales—Minister for Defence) (14:38): This is an important aspect of the MOU between Australia and Singapore because it is a milestone that will deliver significant economic opportunities for the Townsville and Rockhampton regions. As part of the memorandum of understanding, priority will also be given—and this is a very important part of the announcement—to local businesses around the Townsville Field Training Area and the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in support of both the phases of development and the ongoing training activities, which will, of course, boost regional jobs and growth. Roughly $1 billion will be invested in each of the Townsville and Rockhampton regions between 2016 and 2026. It is a very significant undertaking. As Singapore's training presence begins to increase, the demand for support services and opportunities for local businesses will expand. As the training presence reaches maturity, the government expects there will be an additional $10-16 million annual investment in both Townsville and Rockhampton. This is significant for jobs, significant for business and significant for— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Macdonald, a final supplementary question. Senator IAN MACDONALD (Queensland) (14:40): Thanks to the minister for that very exciting news for North Queensland communities. Could the minister tell the Senate what the next steps are for planning and implementation of the memorandum of understanding? Perhaps, the minister could also let the Senate know if she is intending to more directly advise the people of Townsville about these new initiatives in their region. Senator PAYNE (New South Wales—Minister for Defence) (14:40): In fact, following the signing of the memorandum of understanding this morning I am looking forward to travelling to Townsville with my counterpart, Dr Ng, this afternoon to meet with community leaders, including business and local government. Defence will commence engagement with community groups and stakeholders. I am also intending to appoint a dedicated community liaison officer in North Queensland to ensure that businesses and other stakeholders are able to receive timely updates on implementation and that they have a point of contact for their inquiries. CHAMBER
Thursday, 13 October 2016 <strong>SENATE</strong> 63 The detailed planning for facilities development will occur in early 2017, concurrent with master-planning activity. Defence will provide an initial business case on upgrades to government in 2017, and we anticipate construction of facilities will commence from late 2018 to 2019. The scale and complexity of these developments is quite significant, and it needs to be done properly. But implementing this initiative also gives Australian servicemen and women access to better training facilities, and it will enhance our capability as well. We are keen to progress—(Time expired) New South Wales: Shark Nets Senator WHISH-WILSON (Tasmania) (14:41): My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Energy, Senator Birmingham. It has been reported that the New South Wales Premier, Mike Baird, will be writing to the environment minister regarding the installation of shark nets. Can them minister confirm that the environment minister has received a letter from the New South Wales Premier? And will the minister be fully examining this proposal from Mr Baird as a controlled action requiring assessments under the EPBC Act? Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Minister for Education and Training) (14:42): I thank 'Senator Surfer' for his question. State governments are appropriately focused on public safety and managing risks from sharks. The Minister for the Environment and Energy has a legislative role to ensure that shark safety activities— The PRESIDENT: Senator Birmingham, I did not hear it up-front—what you said. But you probably need to withdraw that remark about Senator Whish-Wilson. Senator BIRMINGHAM: I refer properly to Senator Whish-Wilson. Senator Whish-Wilson: I'm okay with that. Senator BIRMINGHAM: I thought you were. The Minister for the Environment and Energy has a legislative role to ensure that shark safety activities are consistent with national environmental law. He is committed to working with states to find a path that achieves both public safety and good outcomes for the environment. Minister Frydenberg has been clear that public safety is of paramount importance, but he is committed to protecting the marine environment, including sharks. It is the responsibility of state governments to consider whether shark safety activities will have a significant impact on matters protected under national environment law. The environment department continues to work with state agencies to help them understand their obligations, noting that the white shark is listed as a vulnerable and migratory species under the EPBC Act. New South Wales has conducted its shark meshing program since 1937. Similarly, Queensland has conducted shark safety activities continuously for over 50 years. These activities predate the EPBC Act and, therefore, do not need to be referred to the Australian government for assessment. The department of the environment has not at this stage received referrals from New South Wales— The PRESIDENT: Pause the clock. On a point of order, Senator Whish-Wilson? Senator Whish-Wilson: I have a point of order on relevance, Mr President. I asked whether you had received a letter from— Senator Ian Macdonald: He just said that! Senator Whish-Wilson: No—I missed that. I asked whether you had received a letter. And would this be a full-controlled action fully assessed under the EPBC law? Government senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! I did hear the minister respond to part of your question. Also, I think the minister indicated that any applications would be treated by way of the law—if I can paraphrase what the minister said. So the minister has been relevant. Senator BIRMINGHAM: As I was midway through saying—I had got through the words 'the department has not received referrals from New South Wales', or Queensland agencies for that matter, in relation to shark management actions. The PRESIDENT: Senator Whish-Wilson, a supplementary question. Senator WHISH-WILSON (Tasmania) (14:44): What evidence will the minister be using to determine that shark nets will make the ocean safer for swimmers and surfers on the North Coast of New South Wales. For example, how many sharks will need to be killed in those nets to make it safer for oceangoers? Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Minister for Education and Training) (14:45): The minister and the department will undertake a proper assessment against the terms of the EPBC Act to first consider whether the matter is a controlled action and, if it is a controlled action, to then assess the proposed actions against the terms CHAMBER
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COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA SENATE Ha
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FORTY-FIFTH PARLIAMENT FIRST SESSIO
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CONTENTS—continued International
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