Federal election: Tourists and jobs to flow from Singapore deal

Peter Dutton yesterday raised the prospect of a surge in tourists, students and workers from Singapore.

Townsville Enterprise chairman Kevin Gill says the city wants to leave ‘the Palmer event’. Picture: Cameron Laird

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton­ has raised the prospect of a surge in tourists, students and workers from Singapore under a package which already has Townsville anticipating greater economic opportunities.

In a deal first initiated by former prime minister Tony Abbott and his Singaporean counterpart, Le Hsien Loong, a $2.25 billion ­upgrade of military training facilities at Townsville and Shoalwater Bay will be funded by Singapore and used by thousands of its troops every year.

The chairman of Townsville Enterprise, local airport official Kevin Gill, said the announcement was particularly welcome after fluctuations in the mining industry and the demise of Clive Palmer’s nickel refinery at ­Yabulu.

“The city is focused on putting the Palmer event behind it and looks forward to working with Defence to ensure that this opportunity succeeds and a long partnership grows between the two countries,” Mr Gill said yesterday, calling for local businesses to have a “fair go” at securing contracts.

“It really reinforces that Townsville’s strength has always been its diversity.”

Mr Dutton confirmed yesterday that Australia and Singapore were also finalising reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangements for people aged 18-30, which would initially benefit up to 500 people from each country each year. The current one-year visa available to Singaporeans will be extended to a multiple­-entry visitor visa.

“Singapore is one of the top countries for visitors to Australia, with more than 203,000 visitor visas granted in 2014-15, up 4.6 per cent compared to 2013-14,” the minister said.

“The new visitor visa arrangement will further boost tourism and business links between Australia and Singapore and allowing for a longer validity period will ­encourage repeat visits and align with the government’s agenda to reduce unnecessary red tape.”

The Defence announcement will boost the Coalition stakes as it seeks to hold the marginal Queensland seats of Herbert and Capricornia.