NT defence spend amid $270B Commonwealth military cash splash uncertain as some projects scrapped

THE NT has yet to be allocated any extra defence funding despite the Federal Government’s $270 billion military cash splash this week, amid revelations a number of projects promised for the Territory have been quietly scrapped

THE NT has yet to be allocated any extra defence funding despite the Federal Government’s $270 billion military cash splash this week, amid revelations a number of projects promised for the Territory have been quietly scrapped.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison this week outlined Australia’s plan to beef-up its defence capabilities against the backdrop of an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific region.

This includes plans to spend $800 million buying anti-ship cruise missiles from the US and up to $3.9 billion building a “new base” in Northern Australia, location still unknown, to consolidate the army’s maritime capability.

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But the 126-page Force Structure Plan revealed a “small number” of projects proposed in 2016 were “no longer required”.

This includes a “roll-on roll-off” wharf in Darwin and a new Northern Advanced Joint Training Area – a large-scale training site for joint and combined amphibious exercises with a potential rail link to RAAF Base Tindal to transport explosive ordnance and bulk fuel.

The Federal Government says it will still meet a pledge to invest $8 billion in the NT over 10 years — a commitment it made in 2016.

RAAF base Tindal ... the NT has yet to be allocated any extra defence funding despite the Federal Government’s $270 billion military cash splash this week

This effectively stretches the Commonwealth’s funding for defence in the NT out to 2030 instead of 2025.

A Defence spokesman said “over $8 billion” would be invested in the NT in the coming decade, without specifying how much, though mentioning investments would be made on facilities and infrastructure works.

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“The NT is also vital to Australia’s continued support to the implementation of United States Force Posture Initiatives, which both support enhanced US engagement in our region and provide the Australian Defence Force with improved training opportunities and closer interoperability with US forces,” he said.

The “enduring strategic importance” of the NT had been demonstrated through upgrades of RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal, Delamere Air Weapons Range, Larrakeyah Barracks, and HMAS Coonawarra since 2016.

Meanwhile, China on Thursday warned Australia to avoid an arms race and to stop purchasing “unnecessary military equipment”.

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This is despite China’s defence budget of $178 billion a year being second only to the US.