EDITORIAL: Prime Minister’s $747m training spend a wake up call

The decision to spend $747 million on defence training in the Territory is a major acknowledgement that our region is quickly becoming the focus of a new cold war.

SCOTT Morrison’s in the Territory, and he’s bringing an arsenal of upgrades.

The announcement that $747 million will be spent on major upgrades to the NT’s training facilities, including a major expansion of Bradshaw, is big news.

Local companies will get preference on lucrative contracts, with hundreds of jobs (at least) set to be created in the Northern Territory.

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This is a much-needed boost for an economy which only this week was called out by CommSec as the worst-performing of any state or territory.

It’s out hope that local businesses fully embrace the opportunity presented to expand their businesses, employ young workers and draw new residents to the Territory.

But economic benefits aside, this is also a sensible acknowledgment of how important the NT has become geostrategically.

The Bradshaw expansion includes a lengthening of the runway, an urban training location and medical precinct. It has enough capacity to hold a battalion, which is anywhere from 3000 to 5000 troops.

It is almost four times the size of the ACT.

If anyone doubted that Northern Australia was well involved in the geopolitical wrestle between the United States and China, today’s announcement is a wake-up call.

The Territory’s importance is only going to become more pronounced as tensions between the superpowers grows.

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