Senator CHERRY (2:58 PM) —My question is to the Minister for Defence. Last month the minister announced that the Shoalwater Bay facility would be upgraded to establish a state-of-the-art Australia-United States joint combined training centre, a proposal which has caused some concern in Central Queensland. Will the minister release the full text of what has been agreed with the US on joint training at Shoalwater Bay? Given the environmental sensitivity of Shoalwater Bay, will he guarantee that environmentally harmful devices such as weapons using depleted uranium and marine sonar technology will not be used? Will he guarantee no nuclear powered vessels will use our waters during exercises and that there will be no permanent closure of maritime military boundaries affecting safe access and anchorage? And will the minister meet with the Livingstone Shire Council to discuss funding for roads, infrastructure and services affected by the joint exercises?

Senator HILL (Minister for Defence) —The joint combined training centre initiative will establish a network of state-of-the-art facilities where Australian and US forces can undertake joint training supported by improved instrumentation and simulation. This was agreed at the recent AUSMIN talks in Washington. Under the concept, the Shoalwater Bay training area in Queensland, the Bradshaw Field training area and the Delamere Range facilities in the Northern Territory will be upgraded and subsequently linked with compatible US training facilities. The specific projects in relation to the upgrades still need to be approved by both governments in the coming months.

The initial priority is being given to the upgrade of the Shoalwater Bay training facilities in order to better support Exercise Talisman Sabre in 2007. As all senators will know, the Shoalwater Bay military facility is well established and utilised extensively by Australian forces and our friends and allies—for example, Singapore, which not only utilises the facilities but retains equipment in Queensland to facilitate its training exercises—and is also utilised in joint training activities. The upgrading of those facilities to use modern-day instrumentation and simulation will be a major asset for the ADF, providing improved training and therefore improved operational capability. Training jointly with the United States will, in turn, facilitate improved interoperability—which is extremely important these days.

The safeguards on the environment at Shoalwater Bay are well understood and respected by Defence. In fact Defence is very proud of its environmental record in relation to Shoalwater Bay. In relation to military vessels, we do not prohibit any specific military vessels but there are well-established rules under which they have to operate—again in part to ensure the highest possible environmental standards. In relation to the Livingston Shire Council's interests in roads, Defence has, for many years, made financial contributions to the upkeep of roads in Shoalwater Bay. It is currently consulting with the Livingston shire on the level of Defence contributions for the 2004-05 financial year. In conclusion, the government appreciates the cooperation and support of the community in that region of Queensland. They are very supportive of the ADF's training opportunities. We respect the interests of the people of that region as we seek to continue to improve the capability of Australia's forces in the national interest.

Senator CHERRY —Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. What does the minister envisage the upgrades at Shoalwater Bay to accommodate the Talisman Sabre training exercise in 2007 will entail? I acknowledge that the projects have not yet been approved by both governments, but what does he envisage those projects will be? Can he assure the local residents that no permanent base or permanent rotation of US military forces will occur in the Shoalwater Bay region of Central Queensland?

Senator HILL (Minister for Defence) —The US has not sought permanent bases in Australia—that is not what this concept is about; this concept is about providing improved training facilities, primarily for Australia but also for our allies when we consider that it is in our national interest. In relation to what type of upgrade this will be, as I said in answer to the primary question, instrumentation is the key way in which we can enhance the value of the facility in order that our training can be taken to the highest contemporary standards. If the US is going to support us in such an upgrade, obviously that is, again, in the Australian national interest. Mr President, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.