Mr LINDSAY (4:36 PM) —I certainly support this motion this afternoon. The redevelopment of Lavarack Barracks—

Mr Slipper —You've been lobbying hard for it.

Mr LINDSAY —Thanks, Mr Parliamentary Secretary. The redevelopment of Lavarack Barracks is most important. The barracks were built some 35 years ago. Stage 2 is currently under way; it is putting a massive injection into the Townsville-Thuringowa community. Currently the works are upgrading all of the accommodation facilities at the barracks.

These new works being referred this afternoon will undertake the refurbishment of most of the working areas of the base and will make provision for the relocation of 11 Brigade from Jezzine Barracks over to Lavarack Barracks. The ADF members at Lavarack Barracks have been extraordinarily pleased with the stage 2 redevelopment of the accommodation. They will be even more pleased with the redevelopment of the working areas. It will be a much more pleasant and efficient place to work. As well as being of benefit to the ADF, there is also great benefit to the Townsville-Thuringowa economy with huge amounts of money circulating in the economy. I have worked very hard to get this through the budget.

Mr Slipper —Lots of jobs.

Mr LINDSAY —And lots of job. The experience has been that about 85 per cent of the money ends up back in the local economy. There is some money which goes to southern consultants, but you cannot avoid that. In that sense, I strongly support the motion.

Question resolved in the affirmative.