The Morrison Government remains firmly committed to keeping Australians safe while protecting our nation’s security interests.  This year’s 2021-22 Defence Budget sees sustained strong investment in Australia’s national security.

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We’re investing in:

✅ Air Combat capability - $1.5 billion project provided new and upgraded facilities and infrastructure to support the introduction of the Joint Strike Fighter at RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory with support facilities and infrastructure.

✅ LAND 121 Phase 5B Facilities Project - $183.3 million project will provide fit-for-purpose facilities and infrastructure at various bases to support and sustain vehicles, modules, and trailers being procured through the Land 121 Vehicle Acquisition Program. The bases include Robertson Barracks, Northern Territory.

✅ Defence economic stimulus - Advancing approximately $190 million of investment in approved infrastructure projects in the Northern Territory across Robertson Barracks, RAAF Base Darwin, Larrakeyah Defence Precinct and Delamere Air Weapons Range.

✅ Larrakeyah Defence Precinct Redevelopment Program - $495.6 million program is upgrading critical base infrastructure, improving the working environment, delivering new facilities and supporting future growth on the Larrakeyah Defence Precinct, Northern Territory.
This program is also delivering a new wharf, fuel storage and refueling capabilities to support Navy’s major surface combatant ships operating in the north of Australia. This program of works commenced construction in late 2018 and is scheduled for completion in mid-2023.

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This long-term funding certainty will allow more Australian businesses in the defence supply chain to create more long-term and high-tech Australian jobs. #YourADF is playing its part in the national #COVID19 recovery, keeping Australians in jobs while keeping Australia safe.

This year’s Budget continues to put veterans and their families first and includes: 

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• $101.7 million to further bolster mental health support, including increasing fees paid to mental health, social work and community nursing providers, and expanding Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling, especially in regional and remote areas.

• $23.7 million for increased transition and employment support, including the establishment of a Joint Transition Authority to ensure all transition services and supports are working together, and greater civilian employment opportunities for veterans and support for those starting their own business.

• $25.9 million to deliver additional assistance for Totally and Permanently Incapacitated veterans, including increased support for those that live in rented accommodation.

• $113.2 million is also being provided for two $250 economic support payments to more than 225,000 veterans and their families to help support and stimulate the Australian economy. The payments are part of the ongoing response to the global coronavirus pandemic.

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For more information, you can visit: https://www.dva.gov.au/about-us/overview/reporting/budgets/budget-2020-21

Applications for Round 8 of the Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program have opened as part of the Morrison-McCormack Government’s commitment to enhancing the safety and accessibility of airstrips in remote areas of Australia.

 

Remote aerodromes are critical to aero-medical flights, delivery of essential goods and services and connecting people to employment and education opportunities.

 

Owners or operators of existing aerodromes in remote or very remote areas of Australia can apply for a grant of between $5,000 and $500,000, with a total of $7 million available in this round.

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The Government has worked with industry to change guidelines so that small local government projects of $150,000 or less can now seek funding for 100 per cent of eligible project costs, helping to deliver critical airstrip upgrades at a time its needed most.

 

Applications close on 12 November 2020, with full details on the Round 8 guidelines and the application form available at business.gov.au/RAUP.

While we will continue to invest in safer roads, there is always more to be done and driver awareness and behaviour is a big factor in road safety.

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Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. When you get behind the wheel of a car, truck, bike or bus – you’re responsible for doing the right thing. Take the pledge!

 

Australia wide, rural road fatalities made up two thirds of last year’s national road toll.  Here in the NT we have huge rural areas and Territorians must come together and recognise that road safety is everyone’s business.

 

The Australian Government is committed to getting Australians home sooner and safer, which is why we committed $500 million for a Targeted Road Safety package to help keep Australian drivers safe, however, we cannot do it alone.

 

Last year 835 people lost their lives on regional roads, devastating their families, friends and communities and leaving behind 835 mourning families.

It is the job of every motorist or rider across the country to help us bring that number down to zero because even one death or one crash on our roads is one too many.

Have you downloaded the COVIDSafe app to help stop the spread of coronavirus?

The COVIDSafe app is making a difference in the fight against the virus.

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State and Territory health officials are using the COVIDSafe app as part of their contact tracing and the app now is being credited by officials as preventing a major outbreak in New South Wales.

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The COVIDSafe app will help health officials contact you sooner if you’ve been a close contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19.

 

Join almost 7 million Australians, download and use COVIDSafe today. Also don’t forget to keep it updated.

 

Learn more about how downloading the app can help protect your family and community at  health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covidsafe-app

Australia and Singapore sign digital trade agreement Australia and Singapore have today signed a landmark Digital Economy Agreement (DEA) to further enhance digital trade opportunities for businesses and consumers in both our nations.

 

Technology and digitisation continue to transform the way Australian businesses trade and interact with customers in key export markets including Singapore.

 

As we begin the economic recovery from COVID-19, this Agreement will reduce barriers and boost opportunities for Australian businesses to reach more customers and further tap into the Singaporean market.

 

The DEA upgrades the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) through a new Digital Economy chapter. It will now undergo Australian treaty-making processes, including tabling in Parliament and consideration by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, prior to entry into force.

 

The full text of the DEA and a summary of its key features are available at: Australia-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement.

Discovering the science behind beer making, taking a virtual reality tour of the universe, and solving ecological crimes with eco-botany are just some of the ways Australians can get involved in National Science Week 2021.

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This year marks the 25th anniversary of the annual event, and recognises the achievements of our scientific community. It also helps to spark the imaginations of the next generation of budding scientists.

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Throughout the week, universities, schools, research institutions, libraries, museums and other organisations across the country will deliver a range of in-person or online events, ensuring everyone can participate, regardless of COVID-19 restrictions.

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The Morrison Government provided almost $500,000 to support public science projects as part of the National Science Week Grants announced earlier in 2021.

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National Science Week 2021 will run from 14 to 22 August. More details, including a full list of events is available at https://www.scienceweek.net.au/

We’re creating a more secure online world for all Australians, their businesses and the essential services we all depend on.

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​Whether it’s cyber criminals scamming money off our elderly by stealing their internet banking details, or paedophiles exchanging child sex abuse material on the dark web, this Strategy positions Australia to meet these threats.

 

Our 2020 Cyber Security Strategy will help to keep Australian families and businesses secure online.​

 

Criminals are using the dark web to buy and sell stolen identities, illicit commodities, child exploitation material, and commit other crimes. Our 2020 Cyber Security Strategy will help to create a more secure online world for all Australians, including bolstering law enforcement capabilities, with an additional 100 dedicated AFP officers to fight cyber crime.

The Australian Government has announced a new resource corridor that will be a focus of its $125 million expansion of the Exploring for the Future program.

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Running for more than 2000 kilometres from the edge of the Gulf of Carpentaria and down the borders of New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria, the corridor has been identified by scientific experts at Geoscience Australia as one of two in Australia with high potential for new energy, minerals and groundwater resource discoveries.

 

The second corridor, which starts just south of Darwin and straddles the borders of the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia finishing at the edge of the Great Australian Bight, will also be included in the expansion of the program.

 

Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia, Keith Pitt said expanding Exploring for the Future to include the two corridors will support our economic recovery, particularly in regional Australia, following the COVID-19 pandemic.