Jj AUSTRALIA V 41V
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PRIME MINISTER/ A4R
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FOR MEDIA TUESDAY, 25 MARCH, 1980O'n t
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE PROJECTS
The Prime Minister has written to Sir Charles Court outlining
details of the proposed upgrading of defence installations
in Western Australia, and thanking him for his assurances
of co-operation in the development of Australia's defence
capacity. The projects are:
Develop HMAS Stirling for base porting by 1982
arid home porting by 1986 at an estimated cost
of $ 26 million;
Develop the existing airfield at Learmonth with
an expected operational readiness in 1982 at an
estimated cost of $ 3 million;
Develop a new airfield at Derby with an expected
operational readiness in 1984 at an estimated cost
of $ 47 million;
Develop an amphibious training area with an expected
operational readiness in 1981/ 82 at an estimated
cost of $ 2 million;.
Develop Army stores facilities at Guildford with an
expected completion in 1985/ 86 at an estimated
cost of $ 3 million.
During discussions in the United States the Government
expressed a willingness to make Australian bases and facilities
available to assist the United States in deterring the
expansion of Soviet influence in the Indian Ocean.
The question of home porting or base porting in West * ern
Australia of elements of the United States Navy was among.
the questions discussed. The United States is considering
this option.
If the United States accepts the Australian offer there will be
a need for considerable investment in Western Australia on the
part of both the Australian Government and the United States.
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There would be much detail that would need examination
and consultation between the United States and Australia.
Western Australia would of course by fully consulted.
Western Australia's capacity for engineering and technical
back-up will be taken fully into account in the Government's
planning for defence activity and development in
Western Australia.
In particular, the increase in the level of operations out
of HMAS Stirling will add substantially to the nature and
level of demand for technical capacity in Western Australia.
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