Is the mining industry affecting the Defence Forces’ ability to protect Australia? The cash strapped Defence Department seems to think so as it regularly loses skilled workers to the more affluent mining companies operating in the country.
There is an impression that the defence of the north of the country will soon have to be conducted by ‘fly–in and fly–out’ forces. The Defence Minister, Stephen Smith said that the Defend Australia Policy was the first priority of both the federal government and the Australian Defence Force.
A review being conducted by the Defence Ministry has given initial recommendations of beefing up its military might on the north west coast. This is the region including Western Australia and Queensland where the majority of the resources and mining sector operate.
The review said that the nation must heighten its naval exercise in the area so as to improve its military posture. The Defence Minister Stephen Smith even said that it would build up an invisible firewall that would deter possible attacks, even terrorist incursions in the area.
The report is to be completed by March this year. It said that the potential for terrorist attacks against oil, gas and other resource industry infrastructure in the North West is also an important consideration, but the level of vulnerability to such attacks can be exaggerated.
Major steps have been taken since last year to improve the defence of the north of the nation. Julia Gillard signed a bilateral military agreement with the United States that approved the planned stationing of some 2500 U.S. Marines in the region.
Canberra also plans to acquire new submarines and destroyers in a phased manner over the next three years. The federal government is also hoping to buy new F-35 combat jets to help bolster the air force cover in the region.