Solomon MP Luke Gosling discusses defence in Northern Australia in ASPI report

If the ADF is to keep families planted in the Top End, more needs to be done to improve ‘liveability’, says Solomon MP Luke Gosling, who also cited air fares and connectivity as ongoing problems.

Solomon MP Luke Gosling says ‘liveability’ needs to improve in order to keep Defence families in the Territory. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Improving “liveability” in the Top End will help keep ADF families planted in the Top End, argues Solomon MP Luke Gosling, who has cited limited employment opportunities for partners and “inadequate defence housing” as major factors pushing service members away.

In his contribution to the latest volume of strategic report ‘North of 26 degrees south and the security of Australia’, Mr Gosling maintained defence needed to “improve its social” in the Territory.

Mr Gosling listed a plethora of opportunities and necessary changes, including enhancing business partnership with locals, as well as relocating logistics hubs from Victoria to the Territory.

However, Mr Gosling outlined local disadvantages as key issues which needed to be addressed.

“Another area for collaboration is building resilient supply chains, which would benefit not only Defence capabilities but also local access to more reliable and affordable supermarket supplies,” he said.

“The north’s road and rail routes are vulnerable to disruption through extreme weather, accidents and pandemics, resulting in delays, shortages and higher costs.”

In a bid to help Defence families integrate into Darwin, the ADF host an annual families’ exhibition at the convention centre. Photo: Harry Brill.

A former member of Darwin’s 1st Brigade, Mr Gosling said Darwin needed to be more family-friendly to keep Defence members up north.

“Another area for greater collaboration is improving the north’s liveability - Defence forces in the north suffer high rates of transfer requests, resulting in loss of skilled personnel,” he said.

“Defence members and their families cite difficulties in spouse employment and inadequate defence housing, as well as poor access to and quality of education and health and family services.”

Mr Gosling also used the opportunity to underscore the importance of improving air connectivity and affordability - an issue which has been regularly bemoaned by Territorians.

Expert John Coyne says “southern-foused policymakers” need to pay more attention to Northern Australia. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gary Ramage

Also contributing to the report was expert John Coyne, who called on “southern-focused policymakers” to pay more attention to Northern Australia.

“Northern Australia needs its political voice heard loudly and clearly in parliament,” he said.

“An answer would be to establish a Parliamentary Friends of Northern Australia group - such a cross party parliamentary group should be dedicated to advancing the interests of northern Australia across all sectors, including infrastructure, regional development, indigenous affairs, agriculture, resources and national security.”

Mr Coyne said realising Northern Australia’s economic potential would also help defend Australia’s shores.

“These measures would also enhance national security and provide economic opportunities for the region, particularly in terms of jobs and business development.”

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has made no secret of her intent to bolster the Territory economy through defence. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The report comes after Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro revealed her hopes to see local businesses cash-in and contribute on major defence development in the Territory, with NT Defence Week, penned for April, set to facilitate networking opportunities.

Ms Finocchiaro said she intended to secure significant defence money for the Territory’s economic benefit.

“We’re hoping to secure a large portion of the Federal Government’s funding – in the last few years, while there has been billions on the table, the Territory hasn’t had a really clear picture of what’s in store to spend here in the Territory.”

Originally published as Solomon MP Luke Gosling discusses defence in Northern Australia in ASPI report