The Australian centre-right Coalition government has promised more than $8 billion (US$5.6 billion) will be spent as part of a boost to Australia’s military helicopter fleet, should they be re-elected.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will announce on Monday the provision of 12 new Romeo maritime helicopters, to be based at HMAS Albatross in the marginal NSW seat of Gilmore.
There will also be 29 Apache armed reconnaissance helicopters to replace the existing Tiger fleet.
However, neither of the new aircraft will be available for use until 2025.
The new Romeo helicopters will replace the existing Taipan fleet used by the navy and will cost $2.5 billion, while $5.5 billion will be spent on the Apache fleet for the army.
The prime minister said a further $360 million would be spent on upgrading facilities at HMAS Albatross, with another $550 million for Apache facilities.
“The more than $8 billion we’re investing in helicopters and facilities means 290 new jobs on the ground for electricians, mechanics and engineers to support their maintenance,” he said.
“A safe and secure Australia also means a strong economy and a stronger future for defence industry jobs.”
The coalition also announced a new $10 million round under its public interest news gathering program that will allow eligible publishers to apply for funding in the face of newsprint prices rising by up to 80 per cent.
While two new polls showed the government trailing Labor as the election campaign to the May 21 vote enters its final two weeks, the prime minister spruiked the LNP’s track record of handling the economy at Sunday night’s second leaders’ debate.
“It’s a choice between a government that has a strong economic plan ... now is not the time to risk things on the unknown,” Morrison said.
“Labor have no plan.”
Nationals frontbencher Bridget McKenzie said she was unconcerned about data showing the coalition trailing 46-54 in the latest Newspoll.
“We’re just focused on putting the choice to the people of Australia prior to May 21st,” she told ABC Radio on Monday.
“We’re not going to be distracted by Ipsos or by Newspoll or by anything else because at the end of the day it’s going to be (voters) who will decide who’s going to lead our nation in very difficult times.”
Senator McKenzie denied the views of Nationals MPs on issues such as climate change were dragging the vote of coalition members in inner-city seats at risk of falling to independents.
Inner-city electorates, many held by moderate Liberals, are facing significant challenges from so-called teal independents, who are campaigning on increased climate action and a federal integrity commission.
Senator McKenzie brushed off suggestions the National’s stance on climate had contributed to the rise of the independents.
“One of the great things about the coalition is we have both the Liberal Party and the National Party in government, meaning both inner-city voices and regional Australian voices are heard,” she said.
“We’ve been able to broker a fantastic result around climate change ... we’ve been able to develop plans for rural and regional Australians that they will be able to seize those opportunities that net-zero by 2050 will provide them.”
