THE HON JOEL FITZGIBBON MP
Minister for Defence
SHAYNE NEUMANN MP
Federal Member for Blair
Thursday, 23 October 2008
136/2008
AUSTRALIAN SUPER HORNET FACILITIES PROJECT
GIVEN THE GO-AHEAD
The Minister for Defence, the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, and the Federal
Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann MP, announced today that the $117.1
million facilities project to support the introduction of the new F/A-18F Super
Hornet has received Parliamentary approval.
The Australian Super Hornet Facilities Project will deliver the facilities and
infrastructure to support No 82 Wing’s operations at RAAF Base Amberley for
at least 10 years from 2010.
Construction is planned to start in early 2009 on the facilities project to
support the 24 new jets.
“The Super Hornet will allow Australia to implement a planned withdrawal of
the F-111,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
“The Super Hornet’s advanced, networked weapons system will give Australia
unprecedented air combat capability to meet the demands of the modern
battlespace across the spectrum of air defence, strategic land attack and
maritime strike.”
The new facilities are essential to support the fundamental shift in
communications, security and maintenance requirements for the new aircraft
and its weapons system.
“This project will inject cash into the local economy by creating jobs for
tradespeople and labourers,” Mr Neumann said.
Media contacts:
Christian Taubenschlag (Joel Fitzgibbon):
02 6277 7800 or 0438 595 567
Jessica Hill (Shayne Neumann)
0488 076 420
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
