PM Transcripts

STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER
THE RT. HON. HAROLD HOLT, IN THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON THE
24TH AUGUST, 19 6
NAVAL SUPPORT FACILITY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The Government has decided that an investigation will
be commenced this year into the feasibility of establishing
Naval support facilities for the R. A. N. at Cockburn Sound, near
Fremantle. The Royal Australian Navy has indicated the
desirability of such a facility in the short and long term.
It has been decided that before any firm decision
is taken, an expert technical investigation should be carried
out at Cockburn Sound by a firm of consultant engineers to be
engaged through the Commnonwealth Department of Works. The
purpose of this investigation will be to select the most suitable
site for the possible establishment of the facilities, prepare
a design study and cost estimates. The results will be the
essential basis for further consideration by the Government.
The terms of reference for the study and the necessary arrangements
will be completed as quickly as possible.
While the investigation will be directed primarily
to the requirements of the it will of course, take
fully into account the possible needs of Allied Navies for use
of the proposed facilities including, in particular the possible
needs of the Royal Navy. In this context, honourable members
will recall that I said last February, following the talks with
Mr. Healey, the United Kingdom Minister for Defence, that we in
Australia if we were considering in future the establishment
of facilities here for the purposes of our own growing establishment
would take into our thinking the circumstance that these
facilities might at some point of time and in some contingencies
be needed for United Kingdom Service requirements.
-In deciding to have the feasibility study made the
government has also taken into account the continuing development
in the Cockburn Sound area and hence its growing capacity to
provide industrial support. The investigation now ordered into
he question of a further expansion of defence facilities at
Cockburn Sound is in harmony with the Government's general policy
of encouraging regional development in appropriate areas of
Australia in accordance with their particular characteristics
and potentialities. Naturally, the Commonwealth activity will proceed
in the closest collaoration with the Western Australian
Jovernment to ensure that Naval requirements and plans are
properly integrated with those of the Vestern Australian State
authorities for the development of the area.